As a general rule of thumb, the average asphalt roof has a lifespan of between 25 and 30 years. After this time, it starts to lose its effectiveness at keeping out the elements and protecting the interior of your home, leading to the only solution being an entirely new roof.
However, without the proper maintenance and due care, roofs can fall into disrepair long before the 25-year mark, which means you may have to face the prospect of swapping your existing roof with a new one a lot sooner than you had anticipated.
While some roofs are destined for an early grave as a result of particularly adverse weather conditions, most live long and healthy lives as long as they receive the proper upkeep that will ensure their longevity. Here are some top tips for how to extend the lifespan of your roof.
1. Keep your gutters clear
Gutters play a vital role in the day-to-day functioning of your house, transporting rainfall away from the roof and foundations towards downspouts, as well as catching fallen debris.
Failing to keep gutters clear can lead to all sorts of problems, including ice blockages that can create damp and mold within your house. The practice of cleaning out your gutters is a simple one, providing that you are not afraid of heights. Simply set up a ladder, put up some gardening gloves and work your hand down the gutter to remove any debris, sticks, leaves, and moss that has gathered.
Doing this after fall and again in spring should be sufficient in ensuring that your gutters function as they should. If you notice any damage to the gutter when you are up there, get it sorted as quickly as possible before it becomes an expensive problem.
2. Call in experts for a professional inspection
If you take the time out to search online for “roofers near me,” you will be able to find a whole host of willing professionals who will carry out a full inspection of your roof to check for problems before they occur, undoubtedly helping you to save money in the long term. They will be aware of exactly what to look for and have the equipment to hand to quickly sort out the problem.
3. Opt for high-quality shingles
In most cases, better quality equals longer life, especially where asphalt roofs are concerned. While the initial costs may be higher, they will pay for themselves in the long run, leading to fewer cracks and less chance of them falling out. If you choose algae-resistant shingles, this will give you one less job to sort out further down the line, where moss can form and cause the shingles to deteriorate more quickly than usual.
4. Install good attic ventilation
Keeping air flowing through your attic will help regulate temperatures in the summer so that the shingles will not get cripplingly hot and start to crack and bend. It can also prevent moisture from gathering, which can lead to mold, damp, and severe structural problems that could cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Ventilation in attics is not usually near the top of homeowners’ list of priorities due to the fact that they do not spend time living in those spaces. Nevertheless, keeping the attic properly vented should be considered just as important as ensuring the rest of the house is vented.
5. Clean off excessive moss
Excessive moss on a roof can prove to be a bit of an eyesore and could devalue your house should you decide to put it on the market. After all, no potential buyers want an old roof that looks as though it will need replacing soon after they have moved in. It can also cause the shingles to start rotting and get in between them, causing gaps to form.
However, be careful in the way that you clean them. Although it might be tempting to get up on the roof and start scraping away or use a power cleaner, this can create significantly worse problems for the shingles than the moss. Instead, mix bleach with some warm water and gently scrub the tiles with a brush until they are clean.
Maintaining a solid roof over your head is important for the overall wellbeing of your house. They are the first line of defense against the elements, protecting the interior against exposure to rain, snow, wind, and hail, as well as stiflingly hot temperatures in the summer. For that reason, they should be adequately looked after to ensure that they do not become damaged and unable to perform their job to the fullest extent.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
