Your roof is arguably the most important part of your house, so it makes sense that you will want to keep it in good shape for as long as possible. A good residential roof can last for up to 50 years before it needs to be replaced as long as you know how to take care of it. While we do recommend calling a reliable roofing contractor for some of the more difficult roofing maintenance and repairs, there are still plenty of things that you can do to extend the life of your roof and avoid a costly replacement.
1. Find a Reliable Roofing Contractor
Finding a reliable roofing contractor who can make repairs quickly can go a long way toward extending the life of your roof. You might need to shop around and check out some reviews online, but it will all be worth your time.
2. Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters will remove excess water from your roof before it can do any damage. Clear out any debris that could be clogging them, especially after a severe storm.
3. Remove Leaves From Your Roof
When you remove leaves from your gutters, make sure to remove them from the rest of your roof. They can trap moisture and cause more damage than you might realize.
4. Trim Overhanging Branches
If you have large trees growing next to your home, be sure to remove any branches that are hanging over your roof. In addition to dropping leaves onto your roof, they can do a lot of damage if they fall.
5. Check for Damage
Any damage to your roof needs to be repaired quickly. While you don’t need to constantly be monitoring your roof for problems, you should still periodically check for damage, especially if you’ve recently been hit by severe weather.
6. Schedule Regular Inspections
While you should be able to spot severe damage to your roof yourself, an annual inspection by a roofing contractor will be able to uncover things that you might miss. Schedule an inspection at least once a year with a trusted contractor.
7. Clean Your Roof
In addition to removing leaves from your roof and keeping your gutters clean, you should also have your roof professional power washed to remove dirt and mold.
8. Remove Snow
A little bit of snow won’t hurt your roof, but too much can cause problems. If you’re hit by a heavy blizzard, invest in a roof rake and clear the excess snow from your roof.
9. Insulate Your Attic
Maintaining sufficient insulation in your attic can help lower your utility bills, but it can also extend the life of your roof. Without proper insulation, your roof can become incredibly hot in the summer, which can cause it to decay faster.
For more tips on extending the life of your roof or to find a reliable roofing contractor near you, contact Undersun Roofing today.
