11 Tips To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Roof.
A healthy roof is a sign of a healthy house. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your house. And a valuable investment that needs to be protected. As a professional roofer, I guarantee you that you can extend the lifespan of your roof by at least a few years by following the steps below.
The best way to increase the lifespan of your roof is to keep it clean. Maintain it at all times, and tend to any issue at the earliest. Try to consult roofing professionals instead of trying DIY tricks of repair and lastly get insurance.
In this article, I have discussed precise steps that will help your roof last longer.
How To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Roof?
1. Clean The Gutters.
Leaves, debris, animal dropping, etc. clog up the gutters. This gives the rainwater or melted snow nowhere to go. This accumulated water or snow can weigh down your roof and cause some serious damage in turn reducing the lifespan of your roof.
Cleaning your gutter annual or biannual is the solution. You need not call a professional for this job, as it can be easily done by yourself. Although, if you have lots of trees and branches leaning into your roof then it’s best to clean it after every three months
2. Remove Moss and Algae.
Moss and Algae love shingled roofs. It offers them a perfect environment to grow and flourish.
Leaving moss up there unattended can rot the roof. This further leads to holes, leakage and sometimes animal infestation. Algae prevent the reflection of sunlight which traps heat within the house.
There are plenty of DIY methods to terminate moss and algae from your roof. However, in my experience homeowners cause more damage than good, when they try to remove algae and moss from their roofs. This is due to their lack of experience and proper equipment.
It is also dangerous to climb on your roof, especially if it’s freshly rained or snowed. It’s best to contact professional roofers to cleanse your roof of moss and algae.
3. Get Rid of The Dried Leaves and Twigs.
Dead leaves not only clog gutters but, also accumulate on the surface of your roof. With time these leaves and twigs start to decompose, which in turn results in moulds and rotten roofs.
Once every six months, use a strong blower or broom to remove these piled-up leaves. You can also hire a roofing professional to do the task.
4. Discard the Snow.
Nothing can prevent snow from settling on the roof. However, letting it stay there for a long time may be hazardous.
Snow is nothing but frozen water, which has its weight. Built-up snow can lead to stress on the roof. Which causes leaks or worse, your roof breaks down. Even though roof breaking is very rare, it is still possible.
Also, ice dams in the gutter can prevent snow from leaving your roof, hence leading to moisture damage.
There are plenty of DIY snow removal techniques. If your roof is small and closer to the ground, by all means, you can remove snow all by yourself. But in case you have a big roof, getting help from a professional roofing service is best.
5. Maintain the Insulation.
Roof insulation fulfils the unique purpose of trapping the heat inside the house. It also reflects the outside heat and keeps the house well ventilated. If the roof insulation is good, your house may not need air conditioning or coolers.
There are multiple types of roof insulation but the most common and easiest one is Blanket insulation. It reduces carbon footprints and saves energy.
Insulating your roof can be expensive, but it is extremely beneficial in the long run and helps to increase the life of your roof.
6. Trim the Nearby Trees.
If you have trees around your house, chances are you have long branches leaning into your roof. You need to chop them off soon.
These harmless-looking branches cause more damage than you think. They rub against your roof and damage the roofing system. The leaves from these trees can clog your gutter. And there is always a chance of one of these branches breaking and landing on your roof.
It’s nice to have trees around the house, but trimming the branches from time to time is a must. Plus, it’s recommended to get help from professionals, as they have the experience and tools to cut the branches without damaging your property.
7. Identify the Leaks.
Leaks are extremely destructive, not only for your roof but also for your entire house. The seeping water can make its way to the walls and meddle with the electrical wiring of the house.
The first step is to locate the source of the leaks. Sometimes the source is pretty evident. But a majority of the time, the water travels a long course through the roof layering before it appears on the walls or the ceiling.
It’s best to call a roofing professional to take a look.
8. Ventilate The Attic.
The Attic is a hub of moisture, heat and condensation. Effective ventilation helps to reduce the heat build-up during summer. And moisture and condensation during the rainy and winter season.
The attic ventilation system consists mainly of two parts. An intake vent allows cool air to enter the attic and an exhaust vent which allows hot air to exit the attic.
If you have an attic ventilation system with both these parts in a working condition, then you are good to go. If not, it’s time to hire a roofer.
9. Wash Your Roof.
Did you know that washing your roof once or twice a year can increase the lifespan of your roof?
Tiled roofs especially need periodic washing to remove dirt, debris, fungus, algae and moss.
Depending on the age of your roof, the condition of the tiles and the amount of dirt accumulated. You can opt for either soft wash or pressure wash.
But do not do it yourself, as it might be dangerous. Plus, a roofer will examine your roof and suggest the best possible washing option.
10. Conduct A Yearly Maintenance.
The secret to a roof’s long life is regular maintenance. Almost all of the above tips are covered under professional roof maintenance.
Depending upon the age and condition of your roof, you must invest in roof maintenance annually or bi-annually.
It is necessary to examine your roof once or twice every year. It helps you decide whether your roof needs repairs or replacement.
11. Get It Inspected by Professionals.
Roofing emergencies are unpredictable. If you suspect anything off with your roof. It’s best to get it inspected by the professionals at the earliest. Tracking roofing issues before they escalate, is the best way to increase your roof’s life span.
Lastly, the best way to protect and increase the lifespan of your roof is to have insurance. Most homeowners’ insurances cover roof damage. However, it’s best to always be sure if Your Home Insurance covers roof leaks or not.
You can also find how much life is remaining of your roof.
Conclusion.
I hope this article was helpful to you. But what’s more helpful is professional roofing service at your beck and call.
Leak Stop is a one-stop destination to meet your roofing-related requirements. We offer roof repair, replacement, maintenance and inspection services all over GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District).
We offer a free inspection to first-time clients. Connect with us TODAY at 1 866 777 0084 for immediate assistance!