Some roofing systems like copper, slate, and tiles can last longer than five decades. Others like shingles and wood shake have intermediate lifespans of between two and five years. Even so, the lifespan of your roof will depend on environmental factors like UV rays, moisture, and bad weather. However, you can increase the longevity of your roof by following the required maintenance practices. Here are four roof care guidelines professional roofers recommend.
Seal the Roof against the UV Rays
Generally, some regions receive more sunshine than others. Because of that, the roofing systems in these areas tend to age faster. Therefore, if you live in an overly sunny region, you need to give your roof extra care and caution. For instance, you can slow down damage by coating the roof with a sealant. The sealant protects all roof types, including shingles, metal, tile, and wood, from the degradation of the UV rays.
In addition, the coating shields the roof from moisture damage. Some coats also have reflective properties, which help them reduce solar heating. This additional benefit keeps the energy consumption in your home under control.
Lop the Trees
Trimming the trees in your yard is another homecare practice that will prove helpful for your roof. For instance, cutting large branches near the house eliminate the shade falling over the roof. Keep in mind that shade keeps the rooftop damp and increases the chances of mold growth and rotting.
Moreover, trees cause debris buildup in the gutters, lowering your roof's lifespan. As such, you should trim your trees regularly to ensure the longevity of your roof.
Clean and Maintain the Gutters
First, you should invest in gutter guards as they play a fundamental role in keeping your roof in top shape. The guards protect the gutter channel from accumulating debris, which can accelerate rusting.
It is also advisable to clean the gutters once every three months. Cleaning gets rid of any stuck debris inside the channels. When cleaning, focus on the downspouts, joints, and connections, which are most susceptible to damage.
Sweep and Clean the Roof
Vegetation growth on your roof indicates that all is not well. Most times, it shows poor drainage of the roof. If left unchecked, algae and moss can cause further deterioration of the roof since they retain a lot of water. Therefore, it is fundamental to clean your roof routinely and fix any anomalies that encourage vegetation growth.
These are simple maintenance practices that will improve the lifespan of your rooftop. Most importantly, call a roofing contractor immediately you notice that your roof needs repairs. Timely repairs prevent further damage and ensure that your roof serves you excellently.
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.