Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, more or less depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or lengthen the time between roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the maintenance it needs.
Installing a new roof is very expensive regardless of the type of roof you have. You’re much better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and small repairs as needed in order to help extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the thought of climbing up a ladder – you can always hire a licensed, certified roofer in Bowie to help you with all your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent most roof damage before it happens is the most affordable route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a couple of preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. Strong winds and rain storms can break tree limbs and even knock over trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they’re not routinely pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even 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 need to do and help prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Bowie.
Schedule regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs can get dented or start to show signs of aging like rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing pro can let you know if there’s a problem that has to be handled.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish 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 applying these coatings on your home, where they will run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation can result in trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as odors throughout your house. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll want to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll help prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these projects at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will renew the appearance of your home. Bowie Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Bowie as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters often, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that should be cleared. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is too shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots will attach to shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of quickly. Many homeowners decide to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you tend to them quickly, no serious issues should result. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Bowie are more than willing to tackle these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt bits attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt pieces help to protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will start to look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the section of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also have to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also an easy task for professionals 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 between 20 and 30 years, you will probably only need to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move often, you might end up buying a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When trying to sell a house, give Bowie Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Bowie to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.