Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The average shingle roof lasts 20 years, depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The amount and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or increase the time between roof replacements. If you are lucky, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the attention it needs.
Installing a new roof is expensive regardless of the type of roof you have. You’re better off doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed in order to help extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just hate the idea of climbing up a ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer in Rialto to help you with all of your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care measures for your roof:
Cut limbs that hang over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break limbs and even knock over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs ruin 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 prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you need to do and help prevent rain flowing into your yard. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Rialto.
Schedule regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of 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 a problem that has to be resolved.
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 spraying these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation systems are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors inside of your house. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll need to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll help prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made from.
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 reduce the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will instantly freshen up the curb appeal. Rialto Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Rialto as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that have to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it probably means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots will attach to shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t removed fast enough. Most 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 right away, no serious problems should result. If you are a capable handyman, you might feel confident enough doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Rialto are more than willing 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 storms. These asphalt chunks help to protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the part of your roof that sits between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will need to be replaced. The fascia can leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is easily damaged. If more extensive work is required, replacing the flashing is an easy project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is one of 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 install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move often, you might end up replacing quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new house, 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 ask that the seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a house, give Rialto Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Rialto to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.