Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts around 20 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The amount and level of care you give your roof can shorten or extend the time between new roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to replace your roof on your home once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the maintenance it requires.
Installing a new roof is very expensive regardless of the type of roof you have. You’re much better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and small repairs as they arise in order to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just don’t like the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Costa Mesa to give you a hand with all your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent roof damage before it occurs is the most affordable route to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are a few preventative care measures for your home’s roof:
Cut limbs hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break limbs and even knock over trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed on top of your rain gutters to prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do and prevent overflow into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Costa Mesa.
Have routine inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or start to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a pro will let you know if there’s a problem that should be resolved.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, making your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about applying these coatings on your home, where they will run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation problem. Lack of ventilation will cause trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as odors throughout your house. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll have to do some general maintenance on your home’s roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll prevent leaks and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these projects at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests building nests on your home’s roof, and it will instantly renew the appearance of your home. CMC Costa Mesa Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Costa Mesa as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that need to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it likely means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots will attach to shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Most homeowners choose to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you tend to them right away, no serious problems should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you might feel confident enough doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Costa Mesa are trained to tackle these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt bits attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain storms. These asphalt pieces help to protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the section of your home’s 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, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is needed, 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 lifespan of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up replacing quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the price of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller have the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a house, give CMC Costa Mesa Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Costa Mesa to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.