Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof will last 20 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials will last longer, but 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 roof replacements. If you are lucky, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the attention it requires.
Roof replacement is very expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re a lot better off in the long run doing maintenance and small 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 thought of climbing up a tall ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Knoxville to help you with all your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent most roof damage before it happens is by far the cheapest route to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care measures for your roof:
Cut tree branches that hang over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break tree branches and even knock over whole trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they are not pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed on top of your gutters to prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Knoxville.
Have regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs can get dented or begin to show signs of age like rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing company will let you know if there’s an issue that should be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from roof 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 spraying these products on your home, where they will run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation systems are in prime condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation will result in trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors inside of your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll need to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these things at least once every 12 months 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 instantly freshen up the curb appeal. Knoxville Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Knoxville as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that should be cleared. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it probably means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Most 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 right away, no major problems should occur. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident enough doing small roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Knoxville are trained to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt pieces attached to them. The texture can be removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt pieces help to protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only 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 have to be replaced. The fascia can leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, let alone pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is required, replacing the flashing is also a simple project for professionals 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 around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up replacing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a home, give Knoxville Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Knoxville to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.