Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about maintaining your roof, you might end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, as long as you give it the attention it requires.
Installing a new roof is expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re much better off in the long run doing maintenance and small repairs as needed to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing skills – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing up a ladder – you can always hire a licensed, certified roofer in Bethesda to give you a hand with all your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent most roof damage before it happens is by far the cheapest way to lengthen the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care ideas for your roof:
Cut branches that hang over your roof. Strong winds and rain can break branches and even push over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not regularly pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed over 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 Bethesda.
Schedule regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing pro will 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, helping 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 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 good condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation will cause trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors throughout your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll have to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll prevent leaks and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
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 building nests on your roof, and it will renew the curb appeal. Bethesda Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Bethesda as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that need to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it likely means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots will attach to shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t removed fast enough. Many homeowners opt to have a professional service do this so no damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you take care of them quickly, no serious problems should result. If you are a capable handyman, you might feel confident doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Bethesda are trained to complete 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt pieces help protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, most 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 gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is an easy project for professionals and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is often the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being between 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up installing quite a few roofs in 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 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 Bethesda Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Bethesda to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.