How to Prolong the Life of Your Home’s Roof
Colorado homes experience a variety of weather and exterior elements. From bolstering sunshine to plenty of rain to lots of snowfall, Colorado roofs take a beating and need to remain strong to protect your home.
The roof is one of your home’s most important exterior elements, and no matter what materials your roof is made of, every roof experiences damage. Because shingles are the most common form of roofing material in Colorado, it is important to know how to properly upkeep those shingles. (However, many of these tips will work with all styles of roofing.) With so many elements combating your home, how can you prolong the life of your roof?
Increase the longevity of your roof and keep your home secure.
1. Perform Preventative Maintenance
The number one tip for a long-lasting roof is preventative maintenance. Providing your roof with the most effective environment to remain in top condition will minimize damage and help your roof last for years to come. It’s much easier to care for your roof than to repair it. And while some forms of damage cannot be helped, preventative maintenance will keep certain forms of roof damage at bay.
Preventative maintenance means cleaning the roof and clearing it of debris and overhang that may cause mold, moss growth, damage, or water buildup. Preventative maintenance can include:
- Trimming branches away from the roof
- Cleaning out gutters
- Removing debris from the rooftop
- Clearing moss or algae
- Cleaning ridges of ice dams
- Replacing caulking as it wears down
When taking care of your rooftop, be sure never to climb on a wet, damp roof. Utilize clean, sunny days for safety purposes, and utilize a safety harness and anchors. If your roof’s slope is too steep or there are dangerous conditions, contact a professional. Your safety is clearly more important than your roof.
2. Do Routine Inspections
Roof inspections help catch damage to your roof and can keep that damage from spreading to other parts of your home. Make a habit of inspecting your roof at least twice a year, especially after winter.
We also recommend inspecting your roof both inside and out after any storms or extreme weather conditions. Climbing on top of your roof gives a great vantage point for missing or damaged shingles and can help avoid extreme damage. Remember to also inspect your roofing structure from inside the attic space. The appearance of any moisture or light shining through the roof should result in a call to a professional immediately.
And while you should perform routine self-inspections, hiring a professional roofing contractor to annually inspect your roof can save you from extreme damage. Professionals know what to look for and can take care of small damages upon inspection.
3. Act Quickly on Repair Repairs
When it comes to your roof, there is no time to mess around. The minute you notice a lifted shingle, leak, or another complication, act immediately. When water or moisture is allowed to make its way into your home — mold, mildew, or rot can set in and damage your home’s interior or structural integrity. When it comes to roof repair, immediate action makes all the difference.
For serious damage, call a roofing professional. Act fast to minimize the damage, but the faster you get a professional to your home, the less likely major damage can occur in your home.
4. Clean Gutters and Inspect Fascia
Shingles are not the only entity of your roof. Gutters, shingles, and fascia are all integral parts of the roofing system and should be treated as such. Cleaning out gutters and inspecting your fascia are as important as taking care of the shingles themselves.
Gutters provide proper drainage for your roof and help keep water from pooling and damaging your shingles. As debris collects on your roof, it makes its way into your gutters. Leaves, twigs, moss, and other elements can backlog your drainage and flood your roof.
Fascia protects the seam lines on the roof from penetrating water. Cracks or damage to the fascia means water may be seeping into your home, even if every shingle remains soundly in place. Fascia also holds the gutters in place, which keeps your roof properly draining. Maintaining this often overlooked area of your roof will keep it in top-quality shape for years to come.
5. Hire a Professional Roofer
While DIY roof repair jobs can secure an issue for a short period of time, a professional roof repair is critical to sustaining the life of your roof. Professionals know exactly what to look for and how to resolve issues as they find them.
Many homeowners can be intimidated by the idea of having a professional look at their roofs. While this can seem like an expensive option, you may be surprised to find that having a professional fix your roof is not as costly as you think. And the alternative can be far more costly in the long run. Leaving a patchwork job can result in further damage to the roof or other areas of your home. So, investing in professional repairs means having a job done right that will last and integrate with the rest of the sound roofing structure.
Get Reliable Roofing with Refined Exteriors
To help prolong the life of your Denver area home’s roof, find a contractor you can trust. At Refined Exteriors, we are the only contractor in Colorado who is GAF Roofing Master Elite certified. When you choose a contractor with our credentials, you can be certain you will receive only the highest standard of work.
Let us perform our best work for you! Contact us today to schedule a roofing consultation.
