Summary:
- Regular roof maintenance can extend your roof’s lifespan and prevent the need for costly repairs. Red flags like damaged shingles and signs of algae, mildew, or missing granules may be a sign that your shingles need to be replaced.
- Scheduling professional roof inspections every few years, especially as your roof ages, will help you detect hidden issues that may not be visible from the ground. Older roofs benefit from more frequent inspections—annually after the first 15 years is best.
- Watch for leaks by monitoring the interior and exterior of your home for musty odors, water stains, and wall spots. Undetected leaks can lead to serious damage and safety concerns that may be harmful to your health and your house.
- Keeping gutters clear and trimming overhanging branches reduces the risk debris buildup and water damage. Patching chimneys and sealing around vents helps keep moisture out.
- Products like Roof Maxx can rejuvenate aging shingles, restoring flexibility by replenishing their natural oils. This is an affordable alternative to total roof replacement that can help protect your shingles for years at a time.
Roof replacement can cost tens of thousands of dollars. But did you know you can save money and prolong the life of your roof through regular roof maintenance?
While every roof will eventually need to be replaced, proper roof maintenance can keep your shingles in good condition and protect your home from damage for years to come. Check out our roof maintenance tips to learn how to extend the life of your roof.
1. Check Your Shingles
The first step to roof maintenance is checking the condition of your shingles. Damaged shingles could leave your roof more susceptible to the elements, so it’s important to look out for:
- Missing shingles
- Curling shingles
- Cracked shingles
- Peeling flashing
- Missing granules
- Staining, Algae, Mildew, or Mold (First sign of asphalt shingle failure)
Here’s a guide to determine if you need to replace your roof shingles.
2. Get a Proper Roof Inspection
Though there are many things you can do on your own when it comes to roof maintenance, it’s still important to bring in an expert to perform a thorough roof inspection. Shingles should be inspected every 3 years at minimum, while tile roofs should be inspected at least every five years. Roofs that are more than 10 years old should be inspected every 2 years, and roofs that are more than 15 years old should be inspected annually.
3. Check for Leaks
Leaky roofs can cause damage to your home and put your safety at risk. Here are some of the most common signs of a leaky roof:
- Musty odors in certain rooms
- Water stains on your ceiling
- Spots on your exterior walls
- Bulging patches on your interior walls
4. Wash Your Roof
It’s important to wash your roof regularly to get rid of algae that might be growing on your shingles. If left to grow long enough, algae can rot your shingles. Remove algae by spraying a 1:1 ratio of water and bleach on your roof.
5. Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your home, so it’s essential to clean your gutters at least a couple times a year (usually in spring and fall). Make sure you remove any leaves and other debris from the gutters so the water can flow freely off the house and into the downspouts.
6. Trim Overhanging Branches
Overgrown branches could clog up your gutters or fall onto your roof and cause damage in a major storm. Avoid this risk by cutting back branches that hang over the roof.
7. Patch Up Your Chimney
Don’t forget to inspect your chimney while performing your routine roof maintenance. Check for any cracks, missing mortar, or loose bricks, which could cause damage to the roof or cause the chimney to completely collapse. Call a contractor if you spot any problems.
8. Reseal and Caulk Around Vents and Pipes
Any openings around your vents and pipes are a chance for moisture to get into your home and cause damage. Minimize the risk by sealing off any openings with caulking.
9. Protect your Shingles
In most situations when you have old or damaged asphalt shingles, roofers will recommend a roof replacement, which can set you back thousands of dollars. Thankfully, you can turn to products like Roof Maxx to help restore life back into your shingles and protect them from the elements. As shingles age, they lose the natural oils in them that makes them flexible and able to expand and contract with the changing weather. Roof Maxx restores these oils into your shingles, prolonging their life. If you are going to take the route of replacing your roof shingles, check out our buyer’s guide to the best roof shingles.
Learn More About Roof Maxx
Follow Roof Maxx’s roof maintenance checklist and protect your roof from future damage today. And if you are looking to rejuvenate your roof, contact us to learn more about Roof Maxx and what we can do to extend the life of your roof—and save you thousands of dollars.
