Extending the lifespan of your roof is always in the best interest of the homeowner. Replacing a roof is a project that will cost thousands of dollars just to buy the materials. This means that it's important to ensure that your roof will serve you for as long as possible.
The advantage of trying to increase the lifespan of your roof is that many of the steps you'll be taking will have additional benefits that can help you to save money on other household expenses.
Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Clean gutters are vital for extending the lifespan of your roof. Without clean gutters to carry water from your roof and into the downspouts, the water can damage various parts of your roof including the fascia and the lower deck board. Even the walls of your house can be damaged if your gutters are clogged.
Gutter cleaning should be a fairly straightforward exercise, but it can be challenging if your house is more than one-story high.
Clean Debris from Your Roof
Small debris like leaves and small tree branches may not seem like a big deal on your roof. However, the debris in the roof valleys will eventually end up in the gutter, leading to clogging. Additionally, even when on top of the roof, this debris holds on to water for long periods, which can accelerate localized damage in certain parts of your roof.
Look Out for Ice Dams
Ice dams are some of the most destructive forces your roof will go up against. Ice dams, under the right conditions, can even result in the collapse of your roof. Ice dams prevent water from draining off your roof. The added weight of water, ice, and snow can be more than your roof can take. If you notice ice dams forming, it may be a good idea to call your roofing contractor quickly.
Insulate Your Attic
An insulated attic will make it less likely for ice dams to form. Therefore, properly insulating your attic is an excellent way of increasing your roof's lifespan. Insulating your attic will also have additional benefits such as lowering your energy bills.
Ventilate Your Attic
It's very important for your attic to be well ventilated in the summer. Temperatures in the attic can get as high as 160 degrees Fahrenheit if there's poor ventilation. These high temperatures can damage the rafters and also cause your shingles to degrade faster.
Reach out to a roofing company such as Columbia Roofing Inc to learn more.
After struggling with the appearance and structural integrity of my home, I realized that I had to do something to make a difference. I realized that part of the issue had to be the roof, since the home had been in my family for years and nobody had ever addressed the roof before. I met with a roofing team to talk about the problem, and they were instrumental in helping me to get things sorted out. After a few renovations, things had really improved, and I felt like things were on the up and up. I wanted to start a blog that focused on finding roofing for your home, so check out this blog.