Your roof is a crucial part of your home, safeguarding everything from your valuables to your family’s health. However, many homeowners neglect their roofs, causing small issues to snowball into costly repairs or replacements.
Regular maintenance and inspections can help extend your roof’s lifespan. Here are a few tips for doing so:.
1. Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters are designed to collect rainwater and direct it away from your home’s foundation. Keeping gutters clean is crucial to extending the lifespan of your roof. When they are clogged, water backs up through the shingles, causing damage and allowing mold to grow. Clogged gutters can also cause water leaks and rot, further shortening the life of your roof.
Regularly clearing your gutters of leaves, sticks, and other debris will help your roof extend its lifespan. It is also recommended to spread a tarp underneath your ladder when cleaning the gutters, to avoid damaging your yard and/or foundation. If you are unable to safely access the gutters, a professional may be necessary.
Low-hanging tree branches can damage your roof if they are blown around by strong winds and create pathways for rodents to enter your home. Regularly trimming tree limbs can help prevent physical damage to your roof, and discourage critters from nesting in the eaves. If ice dams occur, it is recommended to use roof rakes or electric heating cables that warm gutter edges and inhibit refreezing.
2. Trim Overhanging Branches
Tree branches that overhang the roof can scrape and damage shingles. They can also provide a path for pests to access the roof and home. Overhanging branches should be trimmed as soon as they are noticed. This task is best left to a professional, however.
If you don’t want to hire a pro, learn how to identify the branch bark ridge—an area of raised bark that persists between a branch and the trunk (pictured below). Make sure your cuts are made just beyond the ridge—not into it or behind it. This will protect the health of the tree and prevent rot.
Overhanging limbs that touch the roof or siding of a house create an easy entryway for rodents, carpenter ants, termites, wasps, and other pests to chew through wood and nest in homes. They can also cause water leaks and structural damage. It is important to inspect your roof frequently, especially during stormy weather, to find and address any overhanging limbs. This will help extend your roof’s lifespan.
3. Repair Damaged Shingles
If a shingle gets damaged, it’s important to repair it right away. This is one of the simplest ways to extend your roof’s lifespan. Damaged shingles allow water to leak into the decking and attic, which can cause mold and mildew. This is a major problem, and if left unattended, it can lead to rot and structural damage.
If the damage is a small crack or hole, you can seal it with roofing cement. Apply the cement beneath the damaged shingle, and spread it smooth with a putty knife. Then sprinkle shingle granules that you’ve collected into the cup over the wet sealant to camouflage your repair.
For larger holes and missing shingles, some Knoxville roofers suggested that it’s best to replace them with new ones. Check to see if there are any leftover shingles in the area, or purchase a bundle of shingles that closely match the color and style of the existing ones. To remove the old shingle, slide your pry bar underneath the first row of nails that hold the damaged shingle, and gently lift to break the sealer strip connection and expose the nails.
4. Keep Your Trees Trimmed
Trees provide beautiful landscaping, ample shade, ripe fruit, and curb appeal to your home. But they can also pose a serious threat during storms by dragging and dropping limbs, clogging gutters, and accumulating debris. Moreover, encroaching branches can scrape and scratch the surface of shingles, causing them to deteriorate and leak faster. Additionally, if the attic isn’t properly ventilated, tree branches can trap heat and moisture that damage shingles, roof decking, rafters, and encourage moss growth (especially in wet climates).
Tree trimming means more than just cutting off dead or diseased limbs. Regular pruning removes overcrowded branches, thins the canopy, and helps the tree grow in a healthy fashion. However, don’t cut a tree down to its base unless you’re looking to replace it entirely. That lop-off weakens the tree, and it’s much easier for diseases to spread from the exposed end of the trunk. Aim for a three- to five-foot clearance between the roof perimeter and all overhanging branches. This protects the roof, prevents debris from landing in the gutters and clogging them, and ensures that storms won’t knock down encroaching limbs.
5. Inspect Your Roof Twice a Year
One of the most important aspects of extending your roof’s lifespan is to have it professionally inspected twice a year. This allows small issues to be addressed before they snowball into leaks, structural damage, or mold.
A professional will inspect your roof for shingle cracks, missing shingles, exposed nails, algae stains, moss growth, and other signs of wear and tear. They will also check the flashing (which defends the area where pipes enter the roof) and the pipe boots, which can be vulnerable to water seepage.
A well-maintained roof provides security for the contents of your home, a higher property value, and healthier air. It’s essential to keep up with regular maintenance tasks like clearing the roof of snow in the winter, removing debris from overhanging trees, and cleaning gutters and drains. With a little time and effort, you can increase your roof’s lifespan by decades.
6. Know How to Spot Leaks
The first step in extending your roof’s lifespan is knowing how to spot leaks. A damaged or leaking roof is a big problem that can cause major damage to your home. If left untreated, it can lead to water damage, foundation problems and mold.
Leaks can occur at many points around your roof, including the corner boards where the walls meet the roof, dormers and bay windows. You should also inspect the flashing that is used on these areas, as well as the valleys in the roof and the skylights, chimneys and vents.
If you suspect a leak, the best way to find it is by entering the attic and looking for moisture, dark spots or wet insulation. You can also have someone outside stand by the area where you think you’ve spotted a leak and spray the roof with a hose, one section at a time. Then look for the source of the leak. This can help pinpoint the exact location of a leak and save you time and money when it comes to fixing it.
7. Seal Flashings
Like a car, your roof requires routine maintenance to keep it in good working order. It’s important to catch small problems early, so they don’t snowball into expensive repairs and structural damage.
One of the most common causes of leaks is damaged flashing, especially around chimneys and corners of the roof. Fortunately, flashing is relatively easy to repair. To do it, first clean the area and wipe away any corrosion or sharp edges. Next, cut a piece of flashing to match the corner and bend it tightly over the hole. Secure the flashing with a nail and apply a liberal coating of roof cement to form a watertight seal.
The roof is an expensive investment that provides numerous security and aesthetic benefits to a home or business. Proper care and regular inspections can extend its lifespan significantly. By implementing the above tips, homeowners and businesses can ensure their roofs remain in excellent condition for years to come. The right roofing material and a quality contractor will also play an important role in how long a roof lasts.
8. Avoid Drain Pipe Discharge
There are a lot of roof sealers and treatments on the market that claim to extend your roof’s lifespan. Some of these products have been shown to re-invigorate your shingles by hydrating them, which can reduce brittleness and extend their life. However, the best way to extend your roof’s life is by taking preventative measures.
For example, having a professional clean your gutters and do moss control & treatment regularly can help extend the life of your roof. In addition, a professional roof inspection can spot problems and repair them before they get worse.
A properly installed roof is one of the most important investments a homeowner can make. It protects your home and possessions from the elements, so it’s essential to take good care of it to prolong its lifespan. Follow these eight tips to ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible. You’ll save money and time in the long run by investing in prevention rather than repairs or replacements.
