Preventive Care 101: Budget-Friendly Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Roof

Looking to get a few more years out of your roof? And don’t have a bunch of extra money for maintenance?

You’re not alone.

Most homeowners avoid their roof like the plague until there’s a serious problem. By the time you realize you have roof repairs or replacements that need to be made, the damage has been done. The average roof replacement is $9500. Ouch.

That said…

If you follow some easy preventive care tips, the majority of roof issues can be avoided completely. Simply keeping up with maintenance and repairs can add 5-10 years to your roof’s lifespan.

5-10 years longer than what you paid for. Who doesn’t love free roofing?

Let’s dive into…

1. Why Preventive Roof Care Is Important

2. How To Maintain Your Roof On A Budget

3. When To Bring In The Professionals

4. Signs You Need To Improve Your Roof Care

Why Preventive Roof Care Is Important

Your roof isn’t much different than your car. Neglect oil changes and tune ups… and you’ll be buying a new engine before you know it.

Roofs work the same way.

Maintenance is by far the most affordable route to extend the life of your roof while avoiding big-time roof repairs. Small problems left unchecked turn into big problems. Big problems equal big repair bills.

Let’s look at the facts:

The United States Secretariat roof lasted 37 years. Most roofs won’t make it that long. The average lifespan ranges from 20-50 years. Asphalt shingles are only good for about 20-30 years. A quality metal roof can last you upwards of 50+ years.

Those numbers assume you care for your roof. Otherwise, deduct 10+ years.

How To Maintain Your Roof On A Budget

The best part about preventive roof care is that most tasks cost little to nothing. Save yourself some money by doing these things yourself.

Clean Your Gutters

Clogged gutters might be the number one cause of premature roof failure. Moisture that can’t drain correctly pools underneath shingles. Once there it leads to rot, mould, and all sorts of structural damage.

To prevent this… do the following:

• Clean your gutters 2x per year at minimum

• Remove clogs after heavy storms

• Install gutter guards to help prevent debris buildup

Cleaning your gutters is one of the easiest things you can do to stop roof problems before they start. If you’ve ever pulled rotted decking off a roof because of clogged gutters you know it takes hours. Yet cleaning the gutters is something you can knock out in maybe an hour.

Pro tip: Use a gutter guard system to help stop debris from building up. Leaf netting is cheap and dramatically cuts down on cleaning time.

Trim Branches

Trees are great for shade. However, tree branches scraping your roof are not.

Limbs resting on the roof damage shingles when it storms. They drop leaves which clog gutters. During severe weather they can even fall off and rip through your roof!

Trim back any branches within 10 feet of your roofline. If you can’t reach them safely call a tree service once per year to avoid trouble.

Remove Debris From Roof

Debris on the roof isn’t just cosmetic. Leaves and sticks hold in moisture and expedite shredding of roofing materials.

Take a few minutes to rake off debris before it nests and does damage. Just be careful what you use. Do NOT use a power washer on your roof!

High-pressure washing forces water under roofing nails and removes protective granules from shingles. Essentially washing your roof will shorten its lifespan.

Maintain Proper Ventilation

Believe it or not, ventilation has a big impact on roof longevity. Without proper airflow trapped heat and moisture build up under your roof.

These lead to:

• Degradation of shingles

• Ice dams

• Mould/mildew issues

• Warping or rotting roof decks

Check your attic’s soffit vents for blockage from insulation. Ensure any ridge vents are clear and open. You want air flowing freely under the roof to prolong its life.

When To Bring In The Professionals

While most roofing maintenance is DIY, certain things should be left to the pros.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors says preventive maintenance can add another 10-15 years to your roof. Annual inspections are a part of that maintenance.

Here’s when you should schedule a professional roof inspection:

• If the roof is more than 10 years old

• After severe storms

• When buying or selling a home

• If you suspect leaks or damage

Professional roofers can catch things you would never dream of looking at. A trained eye finds potential problem areas before they become costly issues. Yearly inspections are worth every penny.

Signs You Need To Improve Your Roof Care

In addition to hiring a pro once per year, keep these common sense tips in mind.

Missing Shingles

Take a walk around your property and look up. Are there any missing shingles? What about shingles that are cracked, curled, or buckled?

These are serious issues that allow Mother Nature to creep under your roof.

Gutters Full Of Granules

Speaking of your gutters. Dark asphalt roofing shingles are covered in granules. Small bits of these granules washing into your gutter is normal.

However, if you scoop handfuls of granules out of the gutter it might be time to replace your roof.

Water Stains On The Ceiling

It never ends well when you see water stains on your ceiling. Roof leaks have found a way into your home and started destroying everything in sight.

Don’t wait for stains to find the problem. Call a pro right away if you suspect leaking.

Sagging Roof

Your roof sagging is a big deal. It doesn’t mean your roof is going to fall in tomorrow. However it does mean your roof is holding water and will need to be repaired or replaced soon.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding on how easy and affordable it can be to maintain your roof. You’d be surprised how a few hours once or twice a year can prolong the life of your roof.

Remember:

• Clean gutters annually/semi annually

• Trim back branches

• Remove debris from your roof

• Ensure proper attic ventilation

• Have roof inspected yearly

• Catch warning signs ASAP

Each of these tips can save you thousands over the life of your roof. Don’t be that homeowner who neglects their roof only to have it fail you when you need it most. The pros who take care of their roofs will benefit from years of dependable coverage.

Start with one of the tasks above. Your roof will thank you later!