Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last 20-25 years, more or less depending on damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are lucky, you might end up only having to replace your roof on your home once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the attention it needs.
Installing a new roof is expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re much better off in the long run doing maintenance and small repairs as they arise in order to lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing skills – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing a ladder – you can hire a licensed, certified roofer in Port St Lucie to give you a hand with all your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent most roof damage before it happens is by far the cheapest way to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care recommendations for your roof:
Cut branches that hang over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break branches and even knock over trees. Rotting, dying trees will also drop their branches right onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed on top of your rain gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Port St Lucie.
Have regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs can get dented or begin to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a company will let you know if there’s a problem that has to be handled.
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 putting these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation systems are in good condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation will result in trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors in your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll need to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these chores at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will immediately renew the curb appeal. Port St. Lucie Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Port St Lucie as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that have to be cleared. Most gutter experts recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it likely means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots attach to shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t eliminated quickly. Typically homeowners decide to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but so long as you tend to them quickly, no major issues should result. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident enough doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Port St Lucie are certified to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in optimal condition.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt pieces attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt chunks help protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the part of your roof that sits between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will 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 impossible to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is necessary, replacing the flashing is a simple project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is often the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move several times, you might end up installing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can 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 selling a home, give Port St. Lucie Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Port St Lucie to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.