Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof lasts around 20 years, more or less depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are lucky, you could end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the attention it requires.
Roof replacement is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re a lot better off doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing abilities – or just hate the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Hollywood 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 the most affordable route to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut tree branches hanging over your roof. Powerful winds and rain can break tree branches and even push over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their branches onto your roof if they are not pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even 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 that you need to do and prevent overflow into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Hollywood.
Schedule 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 aging like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing company can let you know if there’s an issue 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 applying these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can result in trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors throughout your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll want to do 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 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 limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will instantly renew the curb appeal. TLC Hollywood Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Hollywood as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that should be removed. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it 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 gotten rid of quickly. Most homeowners opt to have a professional 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 major issues should result. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Hollywood are able 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain storms. These asphalt pieces help protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only 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, let alone pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is a simple task for professionals 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 likely only need to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move often, you could end up buying quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a home, give TLC Hollywood Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Hollywood to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.