Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The average shingle roof will last 20 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The amount and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or increase the time between new roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, as long as you give it the care it needs.
Roof replacement is very expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re much better off doing routine maintenance and small repairs as they arise in order to help extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing skills – or just don’t like the idea of climbing up a ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer in Fontana to help you with all your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent roof damage before it occurs is the most affordable route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care ideas for your roof:
Cut tree branches hanging over your roof. Strong winds and rain can break tree branches and even knock over trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their branches onto your roof if they’re not regularly pruned. Falling limbs damage 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 reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do and help prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Fontana.
Have regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs can get dented or start to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing pro will let you know if there’s an issue that has to be taken care of.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from roof shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifetime. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about applying these products on your home, where they will run off and be in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation systems are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation will result in trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors inside of your house. Besides being a nuisance, 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 regularly, you’ll help prevent leaks and increase the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these chores 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 and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will freshen up the curb appeal. Fontana Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Fontana as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to see if there are any clogs that need to be cleared. Most gutter experts recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots will attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of quickly. Many homeowners choose to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you take care of them right away, no major problems should result. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident enough doing small roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Fontana are more than willing 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain storms. These asphalt chunks help to protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the part of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will 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 the gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is necessary, replacing the flashing is a simple project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is often the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifetime of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up installing a lot of roofs in your lifetime.
When buying a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a house, give Fontana Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Fontana to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.