Replacing a roof can be costly and intrusive, so it makes sense that you want to do all you can to make sure your roof lasts for a long time. But what are the best ways to ensure your roof lasts for a long time? Is there anything you can do yourself? Roofstar Arizona has answers for you: Extend the life of your roof with these maintenance tips.
How Can I Extend the Life of My Roof?
There are two main ways to extend the life of your roof: By performing regular maintenance on it, and by having it regularly professionally inspected. By having your roof inspected, you’ll know if any problems crop up as soon as possible, and being able to get them repaired quickly is best for the longevity and health of your roof.
Regular maintenance is something you can perform yourself to help aid your roof, but remember – roofing can be dangerous. If there’s something that looks like it requires more work than you can easily perform, call the professionals. And when working on your roof yourself, always remember to use safety protocols and work with the right tools.
How Often Should Your Roof Be Maintained?
It depends on the type of roof. Some types of roofs require more maintenance than others. But it’s safe to say for all roofs that maintenance should be performed at least once a year. If you want to make absolutely sure that your roof always stays in tip-top shape, maintenance can be performed up to four times a year.
Roof Maintenance Tips
Performing regular maintenance on your roof is a good idea to keep your roof in shape for a long time. What kind of maintenance can you perform yourself?
- Look for Damage: While you’re up on your roof, look around for signs of damage, such as cracked or missing shingles, buckling or loose flashing, broken or sagging gutters, or shingle granules. After a storm is an especially good time to look for signs of damage, but it’s also a good idea to look around on a semi-regular basis. If the damage is severe, call a contractor – performing roof work yourself can be dangerous.
- Check the Ventilation: Proper ventilation is an integral part of your roof’s health. Poor ventilation can lead to rot. A good place to look for signs of poor ventilation is your attic – keep an eye out for damaged insulation, excess moisture, and rust on your attic’s fasteners.
- Keep the Gutters Clear: Gutters often clog up with leaves and other debris, especially after a windy day. If your gutters clog, it can cause water to build up, which could end up damaging your roof if left long enough. Before clearing your gutters, remember to put on heavy-duty gloves and to use a sturdy ladder.
- Remove Debris From The Roof: The gutters aren’t the only place where debris can build up and cause issues. Removing debris like leaves, twigs, and anything else that makes its way onto your roof can help prevent the growth of moss.
- Trim Branches: If there are trees with branches that hang over your tree, make sure to have them trimmed so they no longer overhang. Branches that hang over your roof can drop debris onto it, and they’re also a liability during storms.
- Hire a Trusted Contractor to Perform Inspections and Maintenance: Inspections conducted by a professional, well-trusted contractor – like Roofstar Arizona – are a great way to keep your roof healthy and extend its life. Professional inspections will help to catch any small problems before they turn into big ones.
If you choose to perform maintenance on your own roof, remember: when climbing on top of your roof, always use a safe, reliable ladder; protective gloves; shoes that provide proper traction and grip; and be careful when maneuvering so that you don’t accidentally damage your roof – or worse, hurt yourself.
Want to get a free roof maintenance estimate, inspection, or just ask a question that wasn’t answered here? Call Roofstar Arizona now at (480) 426-1915. We’ll always tell you the truth about your roof!