Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and wear and tear. Other roofing materials will last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The amount and quality of care you give your roof along the way can reduce or increase the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about caring for your roof, you could end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the attention it requires.
Installing a new roof is very expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re better off doing maintenance and minor repairs as needed to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Overland Park to help you with all your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest way to lengthen the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care measures for your roof:
Cut tree limbs that hang over your roof. Powerful winds and rain storms can break tree limbs and even knock over whole trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their branches onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed on top of your gutters to prevent 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 company in Overland Park.
Have routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of age like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing pro will let you know if there’s a problem that has to be resolved.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about applying these coatings on your home, where they will run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Lack of ventilation will result in trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors in your house. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll need to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these things at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will immediately freshen up the curb appeal. Overland Park Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Overland Park as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that should be removed. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots can attach to shingles and other materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of quickly. Many homeowners decide to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but so long as you tend to them right away, no major issues should result. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident enough doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Overland Park are more than willing to tackle these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt bits attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt chunks 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 section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the part of your roof that sits 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, allowing mold and mildew into your home, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also an easy project for professionals and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is often the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up replacing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the price of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When trying to sell a house, give Overland Park Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Overland Park to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.