5 Ways to Increase the Life of Your Roof

All it takes to make your roof last for decades is proper maintenance. By developing a maintenance routine, you can maintain the integrity of your roof. And if you’re unsure how to start maintaining your roof to increase its life, consider these tips:

1. Clear the Gutters

One of the simplest ways to keep your roof in tip-top shape is to clear the gutters. The gutters help drain water from the roof so the rest of the structure is protected from water damage. Cleaning the gutters regularly helps keep the water from saturating the roof, causing corrosion. Because cleaning the gutters is a time-consuming job, you’ll have to use several tools to get the job done in half the time. Apart from cleaning the gutters, check for leaks and make the necessary repairs too.

2. Repairing and Fortifying the Drains

If say, the gutters are clean but the drains are clogged, you’ll have to unclog them. When you don’t, the water will pool into the edges of the roof, causing rust and corrosion. You can use a long pole to unclog the drains and run water into the pipes to clear out any remaining obstruction. Fortifying the drains helps improve the functionality of your drainage system. You can use drain extenders to the ends of the drain so water won’t accumulate on the foundation of your home and eroding the ground.

3. Clean Your Roof Surface

The surface of the roof is exposed to the elements. Dirt, grime, and moss could accumulate on the surface of the roof, shortening its life. We recommend pressure washing your roof every year. This is the easiest way to blast the roof clean from debris that could shorten its life. But be careful when choosing the setting of the pressure washer. Too much pressure can cause damage to the roof so we recommend starting from the lowest setting.

4. Trim the Trees

Don’t let falling tree branches cause dents and holes on your roof. Trim nearby trees to protect your roof from branches accidentally falling right onto the roof. This is especially useful if you live in areas where snow or hailstorm is a common occurrence.

5. Make Repairs

Don’t wait until the problem is so severe that you have to replace parts of the roof. If you see any damage, repair it no matter how small or insignificant said damage is. Make it a habit to check your roof every six months for leaks, holes, and dents. Check for missing or damaged shingles, as well as broken flashing around vents, chimneys, skylights, and other openings. Make the necessary repairs.

Being vigilant in terms of spotting damages will save you thousands of dollars in replacing the roof. If you’re unsure what to look for, we recommend hiring a roof inspector to assess the damage to the roof.

And If say, the damage is so extensive that you have no choice but to hire a professional to handle the problem, make sure to compare rates and credentials. The last thing you want is to overspend on roof repairs.