Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The average shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof can shorten or lengthen the time between roof replacements. If you are lucky, you might end up only having to replace your roof on your home once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the maintenance it requires.
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 needed in order to help extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just hate the thought of climbing a ladder – you can always hire a licensed, certified roofer in Wichita to give you a hand with all your maintenance and roof repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a couple of preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut tree branches that hang over your roof. Powerful winds and rain storms can break tree branches and even push over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their branches right onto your roof if they’re not routinely pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed on top of your rain gutters to prevent clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and help prevent overflow into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Wichita.
Have routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing company can let you know if there’s an issue that needs to be resolved.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from roof 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 options so you can feel safe about spraying these coatings on your home, where they will run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation systems are in good condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Lack of ventilation can lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as 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
From time to time, you’ll want 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 of.
Do these things 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 building nests on your roof, and it will immediately freshen up the curb appeal. Wichita Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Wichita as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that have to be cleared. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it likely means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots can attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t removed fast enough. Typically homeowners opt to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but as long as you take care of them right away, no major problems should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing minor roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Wichita are certified to tackle 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 heavy rain. These asphalt pieces help protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will 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 superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the section 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, plus 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 necessary, replacing the flashing is also 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 between 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to install a new one one or two times. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up installing a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the price of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When trying to sell a home, give Wichita Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Wichita to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.