One basic human need is having a roof over your head. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a small or big home. If your roof needs some work, you’ll never feel safe in your home. You’ll always be thinking of your roof giving in to wear and tear, especially if you didn’t get your home brand-new. That being said, a home’s roof affects a property’s aesthetic value and functionality. Because roofs take all the exposure from the elements, eventually, you’ll need to repair or replace them. An average roof can last ten to twenty years, potentially increasing with proper care.
You’re in the right place if you’re looking for a few tips to help expand your roof’s lifespan. In this article, you’ll learn five ways to give your roof the best care and maintenance so you can get the most out of your investment.
1. Avoid Power-Washing Your Shingles
Power-washing might be one of the best ways to clean your home’s exterior, including your roof. However, this isn’t always an absolute rule. There are instances when power-washing your roof may be more damaging than it is helpful, such as when you have shingles. If you have shingles for your roofing, it’s best to skip the power-wash and call the experts from your local roofing company to clean your roof instead. The concentrated spray from the power-wash can loosen the shingles’ top coating granules, potentially damaging them in the long run. Expert roof cleaners will know best how to handle this special kind of roofing to give it a good clean without damaging it. Instead of a power wash, a leaf blower and a soft broom are also ideal if you’re cleaning your shingles yourself.
2. Apply A Polyglass Coating
If your roof is between 10 to 15 years old, your roofing contractor might recommend installing a polyglass coating on your roof. A polyglass coating is a bright white water-based elastomeric coating that creates a seamless membrane when attached to the roof. This coating provides the following benefits to your roof:
- It can extend your roof’s lifespan to another ten years before the need to undergo a roof repair or replacement arises.
- It can also bring in energy savings.
- It’s UV resistant, protecting your roof from the sun’s harmful rays.
Make sure you talk to your contractor if they offer this service. Most will give free quotes so you know how much this service costs.
3. Clean Your Roof Regularly
Ideally, you should clean your roof at least once quarterly or semi-annually, especially if you have many trees on your property. If your area experiences four seasons, you may want to do this more frequently during fall and winter. That’s when your roof takes a lot of beating with the falling leaves and snow. As discussed in a previous point, you don’t need to pressure-wash your roof yourself. It’s best to leave this job to expert cleaners to ensure the best job possible. However, as the homeowner, you can still do simple tasks such as sweeping away the dust and leaves on your roof. Doing this makes a huge difference in keeping your roof clean before waiting for a professional service.
4. Maintain Your Gutters
Maintaining your gutters is another crucial part of home maintenance. It’s a must to avoid a major roof leak. Dirty gutters mean that water can’t flow freely through the downspout. When this happens, the water pools on your roof. When left to settle, this can lead to your roof decaying. If you have some light dirt buildup, this is something you can easily do on your own. However, for heavier jobs, it’s best to let the professionals do this job for you.
5. Inspect Your Roof Regularly
Even if your roof looks completely fine to you, don’t skip a regular inspection. A proper roof inspection might be what you need to do to stay on top of any potential damage to your roof. That way, you can address it immediately before the problem worsens. The best time to undergo a roof inspection is after every extreme weather. For example, you can check your roof at the end of summer once the heat starts dies down and temperatures start to get cooler. By doing so, you can check for any damage to your roof after the harsh weather.
Final Thoughts
A roof that lives past its lifespan is a product of quality installation, top-notch manufacturing, and, most importantly, the homeowner’s care and maintenance. While your roof won’t last forever, there’s nothing you can do to increase its lifespan. You can avoid expensive repair costs and live through your roof’s expected wear and tear by being a diligent homeowner in its care and maintenance.
