One of the most frequently asked roofing questions, especially after you just put that fancy, expensive new roof on your home is “how do you maintain it?” Of course, you want to protect your investment and take care of it the best way possible to maximize its lifespan but what are the best ways to do that? There are some essential tried and true maintenance tips for your roof you can follow to keep it in top shape and avoid replacing it sooner rather than later.
Here are 5 tips to help you maintain your roof over its lifetime to maximize its shelf life:
- Have Your Roof Checked Regularly By A Roofing Professional
Have your roofing professional who installed your roof or a licensed roofing company check your roof about every two to four years to make sure the roof is functioning properly and determine if any issues have arisen so they can be addressed quickly before they progress. It is also recommended to call in your roofing professional to check your roof after a bad storm, high winds, hail, snow, sleet, etc. (you get the drift). By checking your roof regularly, a roofing professional can spot and safely repair or replace missing, curling or cracked shingles, missing granules, peeling and discoloration.
Best of all, Stratus Roofing provides free professional roof inspections so playing it safe and having regular check ups won’t cost you a thing.
- Don’t Pressure Wash Your Roof
Never, ever, ever…ever let someone who is not a roofing professional get on your roof! We see it all the time: “We can clean your roof and make it look like new” and “We have a product that will make it look sooooooo much better.” The fact is that most (not all), but most of those companies’ products and the sheer act of pressure washing itself actually shortens the lifespan of your roof and does more damage than good. Roof manufacturers have specific recommendations and chemicals that are safe to use and should be administered by a roofing professional certified in that particular shingle. Don’t try this at home (literally) or with a pressure wash company that professes to be an expert at cleaning roofs.
- Look For Leaks On Your Ceilings and Attic
Sometimes you can’t miss water stains and other times they are hidden in an upstairs closet, guest bedroom or attic that you seldom enter. By keeping an eye out for water stains inside your home you can identify issues and head them off before they get worse. Common roof leak water damage includes:
- Spots on your exterior walls
- Water stains on your ceilings
- Mold/musty smell in certain areas
- Bubbles or bulges in patches on your home’s exterior
- Clean & Maintain Your Gutters
Gutters are designed to move rainwater from your roof to the ground to keep water from getting into your home. If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, they can’t do their job and you risk water getting into your home and causing damage. Clogged gutters make it easy for water to seep under the structure of your roof, creating more than just water stains. It is recommended that you clean out your gutters at least twice a year to get those autumn leaves and summer rain residuals out of there.
- Trim Trees
Tree branches can be a problem for several reasons, the most obvious being the risk of them falling on your roof during severe weather. By being vigilant when it comes to your landscaping and cutting off large branches that are touching or directly over your roof, you will help reduce storm damage. This also prevents leaves from piling up on top of your shingles, absorbing moisture and eventually rotting your roof!
The safest and smartest way to maintain your roof is to contact an experienced, licensed roofing company like Stratus Roofing. We are proud to be your trusted residential roofing and commercial roofing partner since 2004. Find out how we can help you with your roofing needs by contacting us today: www.stratusroofing.com
Posted in #roofchat, blog, residential roofing, commercial roofing
