Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts 20 years, depending on storm damage and wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but are also more expensive to install.
The amount and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or increase the time between roof replacements. If you are lucky, you could end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the care it needs.
Roof replacement is expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re much better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as they arise in order to lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing skills – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing a tall ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Daly City to help you with all of your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it occurs is by far the most affordable route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care recommendations for your roof:
Cut tree branches that hang over your roof. Powerful winds and rain storms can break tree branches and even knock over trees. Rotting, dying trees will also drop their branches onto your roof if they’re not routinely pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed over your gutters to reduce clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Daly City.
Have regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing company will let you know if there’s a problem that should be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, making your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifetime. There are regular and plant-based options so you can feel safe about putting these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in prime condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Lack of ventilation will lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as odors throughout your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll have to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll prevent leaks and increase the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made of.
Do these chores at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will renew the appearance of your home. Daly City Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Daly City as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that have to be cleared. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it likely means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots can attach to shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t removed fast enough. Many homeowners choose to have a professional do this so no damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but so long as you take care of them quickly, no major issues should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident enough doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Daly City are able 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 knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain storms. These asphalt pieces help protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will start to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a small 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 also need to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is also an easy task for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is typically the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifetime of a roof being between 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to install a new one one or two times. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up replacing a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the price of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or request that the seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a home, give Daly City Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Daly City to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.