Arizona Roof Rescue » Blog » Prolonging Your Roof’s Life with These 6 Maintenance Hacks

Prolonging Your Roof’s Life with These 6 Maintenance Hacks

A good roof can last you anywhere from 15 to 50 years, depending on the type of materials used and the quality of craftsmanship in the installation. Maintaining your roof can prolong its life. Even if you have a top-quality roof put in by the experts, it will have a shorter lifespan if you don’t care for it the way you should.

Prolonging the life of your roof doesn’t require a lot. Here are six maintenance hacks you can use to get the most out of your roof:

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Moisture can wreak havoc on your home. If you have too much moisture in your roof, the materials can warp and stop offering the protection your home needs. Moisture can also cause roofing materials to rot, mold and mildew to form, and pests to be attracted to your home.

Moisture can build up inside your roof if you do not have proper ventilation in your attic. You must check that you have proper ventilation to keep your roof healthy. Keep your vents cleared, and have the area inspected regularly.

Clean the Gutters

Most people don’t think of the gutters as part of the roof, but they are an integral accessory that plays a big role in the overall health of the roof. If the gutters are clogged, water will not flow away from the roof and the house. Instead, it can get pushed back up on the roof and even under the roofing materials. The water can spread inside your house, causing a lot of damage.

You can keep your roof healthy by keeping your gutters clean. Don’t wait until the fall to check them. Leaves and other debris can accumulate there throughout the year. Check the gutters every few months and clear them out as needed.

Clean the Roof

Your gutters aren’t the only place that leaves and debris will accumulate. They can also collect on your roof, particularly in the valleys. If they are allowed to remain, they can start to compost, which can break into the roofing materials. Eventually, moisture and pests can get inside the roof, causing a lot of damage.

Keep your roof cleaned. If you see leaves or other debris collecting, get up on the roof with a broom and clean everything. Just be careful and take the right safety precautions while you are on the roof. Otherwise, you will have much bigger problems on your hands.

Trim Branches

You can keep leaves and debris out of your gutters and off your roof by keeping tree limbs away from your home. If you have any tree limbs hanging over your roof, you should have them cut. Don’t attempt to do the work yourself or you may end up dropping a heavy tree limb right through your roof, creating much bigger problems.

You should also consider trimming trees that are close to your house but that are not directly over your roof. Leaves from tall trees can spread further than you might think.

Check for Signs of Leaks

Even a small leak can wreak major havoc on your roof. You may not even realize that you have a leak until it has grown and spread major damage throughout your home. You can prevent further damage to your roof and your home by checking routinely for signs of leaks.

You should get inside your attic once a month to look for signs of leaks, such as dark spots on the plywood, mold or mildew, a musty smell, or a collection of insects. As soon as you notice a leak, you should call a local roofer for immediate attention.

Get an Annual Roofing Inspection

An experienced roofing contractor can inspect and evaluate your roof much better than you can. A roofer will be able to spot problems that you can’t, and your roofer will know when issues are imminent. You should hire a roofing company to perform an inspection of your roof at least once a year.

Your roofer will provide recommendations for your roof at the end of the inspection. You should implement any recommendations as soon as possible, as any delays can allow problems to become worse.

Lengthening the time between replacing your roof can help you save a lot of money over time. One of the easiest way to lengthen the life of your roof is to keep up with routine maintenance. Work with a local roofer to stick to a maintenance schedule and to determine when you need a new roof installation.

Arizona Roof Rescue is a Glendale roofing company that specializes in re-roofing and new roof installations. An experienced roofing contractor from our team will inspect your roof and let you know what you need to do to protect your property. It may be that you need to perform maintenance or make repairs, or you may need a new roof. Call us in Glendale today to schedule an inspection.