5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Roof

Whether you have just had a new roof put on or you are looking for tips to keep your current roof looking brand-new, there are tips you can follow to extend the life of your roof. Many homeowners don’t realize that issues with their roof don’t always result in leaks or missing shingles. Just like your car needs yearly maintenance and oil changes, your roof needs maintenance as well. Take a look at these five tips to extend the life of your roof.

Keep critters out

The trees surrounding your home act as a highway for critters such as squirrels, mice, rats, opossums and even birds to climb onto your beautiful roof. Roaming critters like raccoons love to nibble and chomp on shingles, which will eventually result in leaks in your roof. By keeping tree limbs trimmed back from your roof line, you can help deter these critters from hopping onto your roof.

Debris control

Keep an eye out for tree limbs that rub against your roof and for leaf buildup or pine needles. You may need to call a professional to trim back tree limbs or to remove large trees near the perimeter of your home that are causing damage to your roof. If you live in a location that has strong winds, this can also cause severe damage to your roof.

Keep your gutters clean

Debris can and will build up in your gutters, causing water to slide into your siding and drywall. This is one of the most common issues people face. Make sure to clean out your gutters, not only to keep them from weighing down and eventually detaching from your home, but also to keep your house dry.

Keep an eye out

Make sure to periodically take a quick walk around the exterior of your home, visually inspecting from the ground up to see if anything looks out of place on your roof so you can handle repairs promptly. Keep an eye out for missing shingles, debris buildup, damage from trees and dark spots that mean rotting and corrosion are occurring. If you are proactive about keeping your roof in good shape, you won’t find yourself having to replace it.

Know when to call a professional

If you do find a problem with your roof, don’t overwhelm yourself and rush to find a quick fix. It can be tempting to employ a do-it-yourself method to save a few dollars, but if the repairs aren’t done properly, that can lead to serious damage that will end up costing you plenty more than it would if you just hired a professional up front. Know your limits and ensure that any repairs done on your roof are done the right way in order to avoid spending excess money.

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