Since your roof is a significant investment designed to protect your home for decades, you’ll want to maintain it properly. This helps make sure it performs well over the years and lasts as long as possible. Otherwise, you could find yourself dealing with an expensive repair or roof replacement earlier than necessary. How can you extend the life of your roof?
1. Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters allow rainwater to flow off your roof, into your downspouts, and away from your home. When they get clogged with leaves or other debris, water is unable to move easily to your downspouts. This can cause damage to your roof if rainwater overflows. The overflowing water can deteriorate your shingles faster and promote the growth of algae. The water can even make its way inside your home if the issue isn’t fixed.
2. Keep Your Roof Clear of Debris
If you have trees near your home, you should have them regularly trimmed so the branches are at least 10 feet away from your home. Otherwise, they can rub against your roof shingles, causing damage. Branches can also provide an easy transit for rodents to access your roof, where they can build nests that cause blockages and chew through materials.
In addition, storms can cause branches to crash into your roof, causing minor damage, or even a hole.
3. Watch for Ice Dams
In areas like Indianapolis, ice dams can form after a heavy snowfall. These mounds of ice form along the edges of your roof when the air starts to warm after it snows. As the snow melts into water, it runs down your roof and refreezes when it meets the colder edges of your roof and gutters. This traps water, which can seep back up under the shingles. Your roof and shingles can be damaged, and eventually, the water can drip into your house where it can cause even more harm.
Minimize the chances of ice dams by making sure you have enough insulation in your attic. In addition, plugging up air leaks to the attic and improving attic ventilation can help prevent these dams.
4. Proper Attic Insulation and Ventilation
You may not think of your attic as having an impact on the life of your roof, but it does. Its insulation and ventilation are important elements in making your roof lasts as long as possible. If they’re not adequate, your roof could age prematurely or suffer serious structural damage.
Having enough attic ventilation helps keep your roof cooler in the winter, which helps prevents ice dams and the damage they can cause. It also lessens the risk of moisture problems which can turn into mold. Proper ventilation prevents heat buildup during the summer, which can cause some types of shingles to prematurely age. Attic insulation is also an important part of protecting your roof and helping it last longer. It helps keep your roof cooler and prevents water vapor from rising up and damaging the underside of your roof.
5. Have Your Roof Inspected by a Professional Contractor
You should have your roof professionally inspected at least once a year, but twice a year is recommended. Having your roof inspected once in the fall and once in the spring ensures your roof is ready for the harsher seasons. It’s also recommended to have your roof inspected after major storms roll through the area.
Many roofing problems can’t be detected from the ground, but it’s very dangerous for you to get up on your roof. A professional roofing contractor can safely examine all areas of your roof – as well as your attic – and has the knowledge and expertise to spot problems and suggest solutions.
Regular inspections will also ensure any smaller roofing problems are detected quickly. You’ll be able to have them repaired before they get any worse and shorten your roof’s longevity and cause damage to the inside of your home or to its foundation. A prompt repair also usually means a simpler, less expensive one. Prolonging the point at which your roof needs replacing is a great way to save money and to ensure your roof is able to protect your home for as long as possible. Work with Moss Roofing of Indianapolis, IN to help extend the life of your roof. We offer professional roofing inspections and repairs to ensure your roof looks and functions as it should for as long as possible. You can count on us upholding our three core values: honesty, integrity, and quality service/workmanship. Contact us today for your free quote.