Your roof plays a crucial role in protecting your home from the sun, strong winds, cold weather, and other harsh elements, and you want it to last as long as possible. Roof replacement can easily cost upwards of $10,000, but luckily there are other things you can do to add to your asphalt roof’s lifespan and delay replacing it.
Asphalt shingles are beginning to fail faster than ever, some within 6-8 years, and all shingles will inevitably dry out, but you can extend the lifespan of your roof by caring for it properly and getting regular maintenance and inspections. Check out these 9 tips to learn more about caring for your roof.
1. Clean Gutters
If your gutters are clogged during a rain or snowstorm, where will the water go? You guessed it—all that water will be pooling at the edge of your roof. Avoid the damage to your roof and extend your roof lifespan by regularly clearing your gutters of leaves and sticks.
2. Trim Trees
Having trees close to the home may provide shade and beauty, but it also comes with required maintenance. Keep your trees trimmed so the branches never hang over the house. Otherwise, your roof will suffer.
3. Keep Attic Ventilated
Proper attic ventilation doesn’t just keep you comfortable and save on energy bills—it adds to your roof life expectancy, too. Make sure you have soffit vents near the lower part of the attic and roof vents in the higher part of the attic to keep the cool air flowing in and the hot air flowing out.
4. Insulate Your Home
Your shingles are working hard to protect your home from the sun’s UV rays, and they can heat up quite a bit in the warmer months. Keep the air flowing and boost your asphalt roof lifespan by installing insulation properly. (Avoid blocking vents)
5. Get an Annual Roof Inspection
No matter how diligent you are in maintaining your roof, it’s important to have an expert check things out at least once a year. Schedule an annual inspection to ensure you don’t miss anything on your roof that needs attention.
6. Clear Debris From the Roof
That branch or rock on your roof may seem harmless, but if you leave it there long enough, it could puncture or damage your roof in some way. Check your roof for debris after a storm and regularly clear off anything you find.
7. Clean Off Moss
Do you have moss growing on your roof? While this isn’t necessarily an emergency situation, it could lead to roof trouble eventually. Play it safe and get your roof looking clean and presentable by cleaning moss with a bucket of water and scrubbing brush.
8. Avoid Ice Dams
If you live in an area prone to severe winter storms, ice dams could form on your roof and cause leaks. Clear off any big chunks of ice or snow to keep water flowing off of the roof all year long.
9. Fix Missing or Damaged Shingles
Over time you may notice shingles that are cracked, curling, or missing. In this case, before looking to completely replace your shingle roof, there are other options, such as roof rejuvenation with Roof Maxx that can extend the life of your roof by up to 15 years. If a replacement is needed, it’s best to hire a professional to replace the shingles before they cause leaks or other problems for your home.
Extend the Life of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof with Roof Maxx
If you’re looking for more ways to extend your roof’s life expectancy, Roof Maxx can help. Our all-natural roof rejuvenation is guaranteed to add five years to your roof right away. Contact us to learn more about how our treatment instantly revives your aging, dried out shingles so they perform like new.
