How often do you think about the roof of your house? If you are like most people, the only time you think about your roof is when you have a leak or need a roof replacement. The truth is, your roof is an expensive investment, so you want to protect it and make it last as long as possible.
Thinking about your roof only once in a while can be a costly mistake, and it can cause a nightmare in many cases.
How old is your roof? When was the last time you had it inspected? If you are unsure about the state of your roof, call in the professionals at Benchmark Roofers for a free estimate.
In the meantime, read these tips to extend the life of your roof.
1. Unclog Your Gutters
When you think of gutters, you probably think about their primary task of taking water off of your roof and guiding it away from your house to prevent erosion. If you have debris clogging your gutters, the standing water can flow upward to your roof.
Plus, the water trapped by leaves and dirt can soak into the sheath of your roof. It can then travel to the roof rafters and cause them to rot.
Professionals recommend cleaning your gutters in the spring and fall. But you might have to clean them more often, depending on your climate and the number of trees around your house.
If you need professional advice about your gutters, whether you need a simple inspection or replacement, Benchmark Roofers has services available with experts standing by to help.
2. Keep the Trees Away
Having trees surround your house can be beneficial for your energy bills and provide some welcome shade on a hot day. On the other hand, having too many trees close to your house can cause damage to your roof in a couple of different ways.
Overhanging branches that touch your roof can damage your shingles over time. Even if they don’t touch your roof, wind and rain can make them brush your roof and cause damage. To prevent the need for premature roof replacement, trim your tree branches so that they are at least 10 feet away from your roof.
Doing so will keep animals from making homes on your roof, prevent scraping damage, and keep the trees from dropping leaves onto your rooftop.
Keep in mind: If you have overhanging branches, don’t try trimming them yourself. You might cause the damage you are trying to prevent.
Instead, call in the experts to trim your trees. They will have the equipment to take care of your trees while protecting your roof.
3. Let the Air in Your Attic
If your attic is unfinished, its temperature fluctuates with the climate outside. Also, if your attic is closed off, that means condensation can build inside and lead to mold growth. That mold will damage the insulation in your attic and might lead to your home needing a roof replacement.
To stop that from happening, be sure your attic has proper ventilation. You want your ventilation system to let the cooler air come inside while allowing the hotter air to flow outside.
The vents you choose depend on your roof style, so it is best to consult a professional to inspect and install proper vents for you.
4. Get Rid of Buildup
Debris that accumulates on your roof can cause damage from rot. If you already remove leaves from your roof, you might think you are in the clear. However, some of that buildup on your roof could be moss or other wet elements depending on your location.
Moss will trap moisture on your roof and cause roof damage if you do not remove it. If you find it early enough, you could sweep the moss and clear your roof. The issue is that most people do not find this wet buildup until it is a problem.
The good news is you can hire professionals like Benchmark Roofers to install zinc strips near your roof’s peak. Each time it rains, the strips release a substance that stops the growth of mold.
Preventing mold is a great way to extend the life of your roof and hold off a roof replacement.
5. Let the Pros Assess Your Roof Replacement Needs
You can go about prolonging the integrity of your roof through several ways. However, having the roof inspected yearly is not optional. Roofing professionals know all the signs to look for on your roof and can tell you where you can improve.
Not only that, but these professionals can also help you by repairing your roof issues before they become problems and require a total roof replacement.
Do not wait until your roof gives you trouble to call in the pros. Extend your roof’s life by following these maintenance tips and calling Benchmark Roofers for a free quote today at (443) 454-1293.
