Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof will last 20 years, depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials will last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to replace your roof on your home once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the maintenance it requires.
Roof replacement is very expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re better off in the long run doing maintenance and minor repairs as needed to extend the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just hate the thought of climbing up a ladder – you can call a licensed, certified roofer in Fremont to help you with all your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent roof damage before it occurs is the most affordable way to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are some preventative care measures for your home’s roof:
Cut tree branches that hang over your roof. High winds and rain storms can break tree branches and even knock over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed over your gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Fremont.
Schedule routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing pro can let you know if there’s an issue that should be resolved.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based options so you can feel safe about spraying these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation systems are in good condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as odors inside of your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll have to do some general maintenance on your home’s roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll prevent leaks and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these things at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests building nests on your home’s roof, and it will instantly renew the curb appeal. Fremont Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Fremont as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that should be removed. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots can attach to shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Most homeowners opt to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but so long as you take care of them right away, no major issues should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you might feel confident enough doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Fremont are more than willing to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt pieces attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain. These asphalt chunks help protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will start to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the part of your home’s roof that sits between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also need to be replaced. The fascia can leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is also a simple project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is typically the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up installing quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or request that the seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When trying to sell a home, give Fremont Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Fremont to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.