The average roof is built to last between 20 and 30 years, but there are some things – like storm damage and rapid temperature changes – that can cause it to age poorly. The good news–you can extend your roof’s lifespan by using these residential roofing tips from the pros!
Residential Roofing Tips to Extend Your Roof’s Lifespan
A little bit of maintenance goes a long way when it comes to residential roofing. Use these residential roofing tips to take care of your roof and help protect your investment:
- Clean your gutters frequently: Gutters can easily become clogged with leaves and other debris. Alone, that’s fine – but when it rains, those clogs can cause water to back up. Backed-up water in your gutters can damage your shingles and the actual roof beneath them. Most experts recommend cleaning out your gutters at least twice each year. If you maintain your gutters in the spring and fall, they’ll be ready when the water starts pouring through (either from spring rains or melting snow).
- Have regular roof inspections: You can conduct a small visual inspection from the ground or climb up on your roof to get a birds-eye view, but nothing beats a residential roof inspection conducted by a professional.
- Prune overhanging tree branches: Overhanging tree branches can bang up against your roof during high winds or storms, or they can brush against your shingles repeatedly and degrade their integrity. In some cases, overhanging tree branches can create ideal conditions for algae or mold to grow, which can eventually cause leaks if left untreated. If you see branches or other debris on your roof, remove it immediately to protect your roof’s surface.
- Repair storm damage immediately: If left untreated, even minor damage can cause major problems. A tiny leak from a lifted, broken or missing shingle can let water into the roof deck, where it’ll cause the wood to swell – or worse, trickle down into your home and cause major water damage. Sometimes after storm damage, one thing leads to another. If you suspect that a storm, rain, hail or high winds have damaged your roof, schedule a roof inspection immediately. Making small fixes now can save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs later.
- Replace damaged or worn shingles right away: Shingles are there to provide a layer of protection to your roof, and by extension, your entire house. You need to replace damaged or worn shingles immediately, particularly if they’re curling up at the edges; cracked; missing granules; covered in dark streaks; and/or hosting moss or mold.
Contact K&M Roofing for All of Your Roofing Needs
At K & M Roofing, our team of professionals will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with a free quote on what you need to repair or replace to keep your home – and all its contents – safe. We are your Northern Virginia roofing contractor of choice due to our experience and our use of weather rated products with the roofing system warranty. Contact us today for a free estimate.