Did you know that a standard roof will last anywhere between 15-30 years? This is a very broad figure! What can you do to make your roof last the full 30 years and avoid the cost of re-roofing?
One crucial step is to create a roof maintenance program. If you regularly work to keep your roof in good condition and replace needed parts, you will reduce the need to replace your entire roof so soon.
What should be in your regular maintenance program? Why not read on to find out about steps that people often neglect to include.
1. Check for Water Damage
Water is one of the most common and also most damaging materials that your roof will come into contact with. If water enters inside your roof, your timbers will start to rot and weaken.
Check the external parts of your roof to look for possible entry locations. Next, move to the inside of your roof and inspect the timbers and insulation for signs of even slight water damage.
2. Clean Your Gutters
Roof gutters are designed to route water away from your roof as quickly and safely as possible. However, each year as the seasons pass, leaves, moss, and even birds can settle in them and cause blockages. Any heavy rainfall after this will cause water to sit in the gutters and potentially enter any openings into the roof.
Your first task should be to clean the roof of any materials that could fall into the gutters. You should contact professionals such as this roof cleaning company to arrange for this.
Next either with the help of an assistant or a gutter cleaning company, remove moss and any other materials that have gathered there. You should inspect the gutters every few months to ensure that they are ready for the next season.
3. Inspect Each Shingle
Next, climb safely on the roof and check each shingle individually. If you see any cracks or broken shingles, try to work out the cause of the problem. Are there trees or other hard items nearby that cause have caused the breakage?
You will need to replace any damaged shingles in preparation for the next season. While checking the shingles, look for nails or other shingle fixtures that may have come loose. It is far easy to secure them now than replace them later.
Finally, check the overall condition of the shingles. If they have become discolored or a significant number are damaged, it may be time to replace the roof.
4. Damage to Flashing
Flashing is the metal elements that are adjacent to joins in a roof such as when the shingles met the chimney stack.
In older buildings, the flashing may be Lead. In the past, this was a target for thieves. However, in modern buildings, flashing is generally steel.
This is a crucial part that prevents water from entering the roof space. You should check that storms have not dislodged it or that it is not corroding.
5. Soffit and Fascia Boards
The soffit and fascia board combine to allow much-needed air to enter into your roof space, without allowing damaging water in.
The fascia is the horizontal board that holds the gutters. This part keeps our birds and squirrels. It is good to check both the fascia and soffit for damage. This could include water damage or movement due to high winds.
It is possible to replace the fascia and soffit boards independently of the roof. If you see that damage has occurred then contact a professional roofing company to get a quote.
6. Mold and Algae
If you see patches of discoloration on your shingles it is likely mold or algae. You should remove it as soon as possible.
Should the mold spread it can weaken the shingle and cause problems within the roofspace below. To remove mold, use a water and bleach solution and gradually scrub the affected area. Do not use a power washing machine as this will damage the sensitive shingles.
7. Cracked Caulking
Caulking is the gel-like sealant that is used to seal joints in your roof. You will need to replace it every few years. It is important to check that it has not cracked in hot weather or been otherwise damaged in freezing winter weather.
Should the caulking be damaged and water seep in, you could have mold problems in the roof space. It is good to check internal areas if you see evidence of damage.
8. Rust
There are not many metal parts on your roof, however, it is important to check these at least once each year. These could include flashing and metal brackets attached to roof timbers.
It is important to identify rust early on. At first, the rust will lead to discoloration if water carries the rust clour to nearby surfaces. However, the metal may corrode completely and be of little or no use. Identify potential rust dangers early on.
9. Granulation
When you look closely at a roof shingle, you will notice that they have a grainy texture. These grains upon the surface of the shingle are an important indicator of the age and condition of the roof.
If these small pebbles start to fall from the shingles and gather on the floor, it is an indication that the shingles, and possibly the roof are reaching the end of its life. When you see these gathered around the base of your home it is time to start planning for their replacement.
All You Need to Know About Roof Maintenance and More
Roof replacement is a huge undertaking that is both disruptive to your schedule and can be expensive. If you want to get the most out of your roof and extend its lifespan as much as possible, then a good program of roof maintenance is essential.
If you would like to learn more about housing and construction projects, then we are here to help. Why not take a look at our other blog articles to see how we can help you?