Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts around 20-25 years, depending on damage and wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The amount and quality of care you give your roof along the way can reduce or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about caring for your roof, you might end up only having to replace your roof on your home once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the maintenance it needs.
Installing a new roof is very expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re a lot better off in the long run doing maintenance and minor repairs as they arise to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing skills – or just don’t like the idea of climbing a ladder – you can hire a licensed, certified roofer in El Cajon to help you with all of your maintenance and roof repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent roof damage before it occurs is by far the most affordable route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a couple of preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut tree branches hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break tree branches and even knock over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their branches right onto your roof if they’re not regularly pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed on top of your gutters to prevent 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 company in El Cajon.
Have regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs can get dented or begin to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a company can let you know if there’s a problem that has to be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from roof 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 run off and be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Limited ventilation can result in 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 wreak havoc on wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll want to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made from.
Do these things at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
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 instantly renew the curb appeal. El Cajon Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in El Cajon as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that have to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it probably means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots will attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t removed quickly. Typically homeowners opt to have a professional service do this so no 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 might feel confident enough doing minor roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in El Cajon 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 look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the section of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will need to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, let alone 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 most common location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is needed, replacing the flashing is a simple 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 around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up buying a lot of roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can include the price of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the seller have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When trying to sell a home, give El Cajon Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in El Cajon to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.