5 Roofing Maintenance Tips for a Longer-Lasting Roof

Homeowners rarely think about their roof until it becomes a problem. While it’s certainly your prerogative, ignoring it isn’t the wisest course of action. In fact, if you completely neglect it, you’ll quickly discover your mistake when suddenly you’re hit with a large bill for unexpected but much-needed repairs.

Believe it or not, the wide majority of roofs are designed to last for 15 to 20 years, but regular maintenance can help ensure they last a long time. With that said, we’ll take a look at our favorite DIY roofing tips below. Use them to extend the life of your rooftop so it lasts for many years to come.

Tip #1: Proper Insulation Must Be Included

You need proper insulation to ensure good airflow and the appropriate amount of ventilation. By having the correct amount of insulation in place, your house is going to remain protected from heat loss or heat gain.

Ideally, homeowners should include a vapor retarder underneath their insulation. They should also have a gap-free layer tacked to the attic floor. With this level of insulation, you’ll have no trouble preventing moisture from making its way into the attic and potentially destroying your roof faster than necessary.

These open and vented spaces let the air pass through without any obstructions. So it’s ideal to leave an inch of space between your roof sheathing and the insulation to achieve the best results.

Tip #2: Periodically Check Your Attic for Signs of Distress

Nobody likes to think about it, but our roofs will spring a leak from time to time. You may not know about it right away because the appearance of problems will be centralized to your attic.

So make it a point to check your attic for signs of leaking and distress. Look for water stains, and even better, look closely to see if there are any weak shingles. This is especially important to look at after a heavy storm passes through.

If there are signs of distress, you might try to fix the problem yourself if you possess the necessary skills. Or better yet, consider hiring roofing contractors to ensure the problem is fixed by a professional who knows what he or she is doing.

Tip #3: Regularly Inspect for the Appearance of Shingle Damage

Take a moment out of your day every so often to visibly look at the shingles on top of your house. Are they falling off? Do they look cracked or broken? Do they look torn off or dilapidated?

If you notice visible signs of distress, it’s time to take action to prevent water seepage from damaging the interior of your home. Roof leak repair might seem costly on the surface, but if you leave this damage for too long you could end up paying to fix more than just a couple of broken or rotten shingles.

Water damage is no joke and your roof is there to protect against this problem. So if you do notice broken shingles or shingles that appear to be falling off, get quotes from roofing companies such as Carsa Construction or prepare for your next DIY home repair project. And don’t wait, because it could definitely lead to even bigger trouble if left in disrepair.

Tip #4: Trim Overgrown Trees

Overgrown tree branches can pose a serious problem for the health and well-being of your roof. So take a look at your home and really look at the surrounding landscape. Are any tree branches hanging over the top of your house? If so, are they leaning on top of your roof?

Unfortunately, tree branches have tend to gouge and scratch roof materials. They can easily puncture shingles and as the branches grow, they can even knock them out of place.

So, it’s best to trim back your branches so they are no longer touching your roof. And while you’re up there, you might as well trim branches that are getting too close to your roof, because you’ll have to trim them in the near future anyway so you can kill two birds with one stone.

Tip #5: Clean Out Your Gutter System

Are your gutters clogged with leaves, branches, and other debris? When this happens, your entire system can clog up and water will eventually seep into your attic and other potential living areas.

So, climb up on a ladder and check your drainage system. Is the water free-flowing or is it clogged? Remove the leaves, debris, and dirt and remember to stay on top of this by cleaning it twice a year.

Final Thoughts

It’s best to stay on top of things and take care of your property so it remains in tip top shape. Use the recommendations we’ve shared today. By staying on top of each one of these areas, you’ll prevent the need for unnecessary roof repairs. This could potentially save you thousands of dollars and extend the life of your roof. So keep this in your thoughts and never let your roof stray too far from the top of your mind.

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