Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof will last 20 years, more or less depending on storm damage and wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or increase the time between new roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you could end up only having to replace your roof on your home once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the care it requires.
Roof replacement is very expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re a lot better off in the long run doing maintenance and minor repairs as needed in order to lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the thought of climbing up a ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Berkeley to give you a hand with all of your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it happens is by far the most affordable way to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. High winds and rain storms can break tree limbs and even knock over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their branches onto your roof if they are 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 installed over your gutters to prevent clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Berkeley.
Have routine inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs can get dented or start to show signs of aging like rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing company can let you know if there’s a problem that needs to be taken care of.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, making your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about spraying these products on your home, where they will run off and be in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation systems are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors inside of your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll have 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 type.
Do these projects at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will freshen up the curb appeal. Berkeley Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Berkeley as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are any clogs that should be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively 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 choose 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 right away, no major problems should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Berkeley are more than willing to tackle these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in optimal condition.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt bits attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain storms. These asphalt chunks help protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the part 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 leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, let alone pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is also a simple project 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 have to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up replacing quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or request that the home seller have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a home, give Berkeley Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Berkeley to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.