Keeping your shingle roof in good condition is important in order to protect your home and extend the life of your shingle roof. You may wonder how to ensure the lifespan of your roof is not reduced and that you avoid having to pay to correct problems in the future.
If you are not quite sure what you should do, then you can seek out the advice of experienced shingle roofers who will be able to give you advice on how to keep your shingle roof in the best shape possible. Here is a comprehensive guide that will help you to take care of your roof effectively.
Regular Inspections
Regular inspections are the basis of good roof maintenance. You want to check your roof once a year if possible around spring or fall. During these inspections, they should be looking for signs of damage, such as missing, curling or cracked shingles. You should pay special attention to areas around roof vents, chimneys and flashing as these areas are common trouble spots.
Cleaning Your Roof
A clean roof is important for the health and appearance of your roof. Do not use a pressure washer on your shingles as it can damage it. Rather, fill a garden hose with equal parts water and laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach, attach a sprayer and use it.
This solution can be applied on a cloudy, calm day to slow down rapid evaporation. Leave to sit for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. This method works very well to remove dirt, moss, and algae, without damaging your shingles.
Gutter Maintenance
How your gutters serve a major role in protecting the roof and house against water damage. Dirt and debris should be cleaned from the gutters regularly to allow water to be carried off the house properly. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up under your shingles, leading to leaks and serious roof damage. It may be worth installing gutter guards to reduce the need for cleaning.
Trimming Overhanging Branches
Trees near your home may be a danger to your roof. Shingles also suffer over time from branches overhanging that scrape off the shingles. They also create a means for pests to reach your roof. In an effort to avoid these kinds of issues, trim back any branches that come close to your roof so that they don’t drop debris onto your roof. Below are some of the reasons why trimming branches is important:
- Branches can scrape and damage shingles, which can prevent this.
- Trimmed branches reduce the access for pests to the roof.
- Fewer Branches Means Less Debris: If you have fewer branches, then there will also be fewer branches blocking access to your gutter which will mainly result in less debris falling onto your roof.
Attic Ventilation
However, attic ventilation rarely receives attention that it deserves in roof health. Proper ventilation in your attic even out your temperature and moisture levels, dramatically reducing the temperatures and moisture inside of your roof, which can otherwise damage your roof from the inside out. Does your attic have enough ventilation to increase your shingles life.
Professional Inspections
The regular DIY inspections are an important part of it, but professional roof inspections should be scheduled every two to three years. Roofs are not something that the untrained eye can spot potential problems that professional roofers can.
Additionally, they can suggest expert advice on maintenance and even if there are any repairs required. There are some key benefits of having professional inspections.
- It detects Problems before They Become Serious: Early detection of Issues ‘provides professionals the ability to detect issues before they become serious.’
- The expert advice: There is advice offered about how to keep your roof in good condition.
- Preventive Measures: Preventive measures can be recommended for the future to prevent such damage.
Addressing Repairs Promptly
If you have spotted some problems with your roof, it is imperative it is taken care of immediately. A small problem can quickly take off out of your control if you do not attend to it. With the exception of a small leak or missing shingle, the sooner you address any repairs, the less extensive and costly it will be in terms of damage later on.
This can help to extend the life of your shingle roof significantly and keep it protecting your home similarly. Roof maintenance is never ending and it is something that should be done all year round. It’s no problem with the proper care, your shingle roof can last for decades.
