A new roof may be the single biggest investment a homeowner makes in their property. Depending on the materials used and the skill of the roofers who install it, the project could cost tens of thousands of dollars. These tips will help extend the life of your roof by keeping current materials in good condition longer.
1. Maintain Gutters
Clogged gutters cause roof leaks. When the water has nowhere to go, it will pool along the bottom edge of the roof and slowly deteriorate the facia and roof edge. Homeowners can clean gutters on their own. However, if there’s a lot of debris in the gutters, it could be a messy job. If you don’t feel confident on a ladder, contact a roofer to do this dirty job for you.
2. Trim Nearby Branches
Trees provide shade, but they can also cause a roof to fail early. The problems large trees may cause to your roof can far outweigh the benefits if proper care is not taken. When leaves don’t fall off of the roof naturally, moisture gets trapped under them. These leaves could also get caught in the gutters.
Large branches may fall and damage your roof during a storm. Any branch, large of small, which contacts the roof will scratch the surface of your roof; while this damage may be small and unnoticed at first, eventually it becomes apparent. Trim them and your roof will last longer.
3. Ventilate the Attic
Proper ventilation allows cool air to enter the attic and warm, humid air to escape. Too much moisture in the attic will result in mold that can damage the insulation as well as the roof. Ventilation also saves money on cooling bills. Hot air trapped in the attic can make the entire house warm and overwork the air conditioning system.
In order for ventilation to work properly you need both soffit vents near the lower section of the attic area and some type of roof vents near the highest part of the attic. This allows cool air to enter and the hot air to escape.
There are many different types of vents to choose. Each vent serves different types of roof styles and slopes.
4. Insulate to Keep Heat Out
Shingle roofs absorb heat and, if the attic isn’t properly insulated, interior spaces heat up. It’s important to avoid blocking vents with insulation. Having insulation correctly installed with the right type and amount will ensure it provides the maximum amount of energy-efficiency.
5. Get A Professional Inspection Every Year
Inspections are key to preventive roof maintenance. Expert roofers tell you if you have problems that need to be addressed immediately. They will give you more tips to help you keep the roof in good condition for many more years.
Replacing a roof prematurely is expensive and often unnecessary. By following these simple tips, you can ensure your roof protects your home and increase its lifespan. Extend the life of your roof when possible.
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My wife and I recently became homeowners, and we have been trying to find ways to save money on our heating bill each month. I was very surprised to learn that properly ventilating an attic can result in releasing a lot of trapped hot air, and that in turn can reduce your air conditioning bill in the summer! I will be sure to hire a professional to inspect my attic, I don’t want to damage my roof!
Thank you for mentioning how excessive amounts of moisture in your attic can cause mold to damage your roofing. My wife and I would like to have some metal roofing installed for the fixer-upper home we bought last weekend, but we are worried that the frequent storms in our area will cause our roof to become damaged by the humidity. I will consider finding a professional roofing service that will help us find what we need.