Your home’s roof is one of its most important features because it literally protects everything underneath it. This, coupled with the fact that replacing a roof can be a costly endeavor, means that you want to be able to do everything you can to extend the life of your roof, and you want to start as soon as possible.
While most standard roofing materials will usually last for at least for 20 years with the proper maintenance and care, the reality is that a lot can happen to a roof that can cut into its lifespan. While you can’t control things like damage caused by storms, there are some things you can do to extend your roof’s life. In this guide, you’ll learn five important tasks you should start doing now if you want your roof to last as long as it can.
#1: Trim Branches Away From the Roof Line
There are pros and cons to having trees near your house. One of the main advantages is the shade they produce, which can help keep your home cooler in the summer. But while that shade can be nice, there is a risk to having trees overhanging your roof.
For starters, heavy limbs can break off and penetrate your roof. In the fall, leaves can collect on the roof and moisture can get trapped under them, or they can fill up the gutters and cause water to back up into your home. Additionally, overhanging branches make it easier for critters like squirrels or raccoons and insects to get access to your roof, where they can possibly get inside the attic. To keep these risks to a minimum, you should trim any overhanging branches away from the roofline.
#2: Clean the Gutters
You might think that cleaning the gutters is a job that’s limited to the fall season, but the truth is that your downspouts can develop clogs any time of year. If one gets backed up, water will work its way inside the structure and cause damage to the roof. So, check and clean your gutters regularly and especially after storms to ensure they’re working properly.
#3: Insulate the Attic Properly
Just because your attic is insulated doesn’t mean it’s insulated properly. For the insulation to do its job well, it shouldn’t be blocking your roof’s vents or else this will prevent hot, humid air from escaping. Installing the right type of insulation and installing it properly will help ensure your home is energy efficient and help extend the life of your roof by allowing moist air to escape.
#4: Make Sure the Attic Has Good Ventilation
An attic needs to have good ventilation to prevent moisture from building up inside of it. If the ventilation is poor, then moisture will collect and cause mold to form, and this can damage both the insulation and the roof itself. The right type of ventilation allows cool air to enter the attic and hot air to escape. So if your home is warmer than it should be in the summer and your air conditioning is being overworked, you may want to have your attic’s ventilation checked out.
#5: Have Your Roof Inspected Regularly
While the above tasks will certainly help extend the life of your roof, you also want to have your roof inspected by a professional on a regular basis, so that minor problems can be fixed before they turn into major ones. This will keep your total cost of ownership down and keep you from having to replace the roof well before its time.
Crucial Maintenance Tasks Can Extend Roof Life
It’s important to regularly keep up with inspecting your roof for damages, as well as complete routine projects such as gutter cleaning. In order to make your roof last, you have to be sure to take care of it to ensure your roof will last as long as it can.
If you want to schedule a roof inspection, or you’re ready to have a new roof installed, contact Thompson Creek today for a free estimate.