costly, time consuming project that homeowners want to avoid at all costs. Roofing
maintenance and repair is by no means an enjoyable way to pass the time, but it will help
you prevent damage to your roof. In order to maximize the lifespan of your roof, here are
some basic maintenance tips.
Shingles
There is a wide variety of roof shingles, each requiring slightly different maintenance tactics.
Wood and asphalt shingles especially prone to damage through humidity, so they are not ideal for particularly humid climates. Using high quality sealants and replacing damaged shingles can help them last. Asphalt and clay shingles are likely to erode slowly, and may require a little more attention, especially after a storm. Metal shingles are vulnerable to rust, so it’s important to clean or replace rusty shingles as soon as possible.
It’s usually not necessary to replace an entire roof if you maintain it regularly and properly. Replacing
individual tiles is much more ideal, and not especially difficult.
Making sure you have the right shingle type for your house and climate is an important first step in preventing unnecessary damage. But all roofs are prone to certain damage over
time. Buildup of moss and materials is particularly common.
Cleaning your roof is not something that needs to be done too frequently, but doing so once or twice a year will make
a big difference. Different roof tiles will react differently to certain cleaners and tools, but the overall process need not be much more complicated than rinsing and brushing away debris
and moss.
Sealant
cases, damage is immediate. Using sealant gives your shingles an extra line of defence and means less maintenance work for you overall. Sealant can be applied all over the roof, or to specific areas. It can also be used to fill cracks and leaking where shingle replacement is either inconvenient or pricey. Some sealants are even designed to prevent the buildup of mold and moss.
Branches
If you have large trees in your yard, keeping the branches trimmed can be an important way
of preventing roof damage. Overhanging branches can scrape and damage shingles. They
can also leave behind debris, which can slowly cause buildup and damage to your roof. The
good news is that trimming away tree branches is typically a one-time job.
Gutters
Keeping your roof gutters clean is an equally important part of roof maintenance. Your
gutters are equally vulnerable to debris buildup, which can cause leaking and further
damage. When your gutters fill up with precipitation, leaves, branches, mold, and other
debris, they can damage sealant and other parts of the roof. They are also vulnerable to
freezing and leaking in cold months.
