How to Make Your Roof Last Longer With These 3 Tricks
Not many roofs last that long, a typical lifespan of a roof can range from 10-25 years depending on factors such as weather, climate, maintenance, etc. It is possible that if you implement these tricks on how to make your roof last longer, then you can save yourself time and money from replacing a worn out roof.
For some, roofs only last 10 years because they don’t have proper roof maintenance and that’s what I’m going to talk about in this article so that you can save more money in the long term.
1) Inspect Your Roof Every Year
How are you supposed to know if something doesn’t look right? We’ll you can inspect it.
You can either look at it from the ground and see any unusual humps, dips, or marks on the roof or climb onto the roof to see if there are any red flags, but I do recommend wearing roofing boots if you are going to go on top of your roof.
When you are on top a pitched roof make sure to climb it at an angle towards the center so that you do not slip and fall.
It is possible that your roof may look good from the ground, but when you are at a higher level and looking straight down on your roof, you can get a much clearer view on the shape of your roof.
Some things to look out for when inspecting your roof is:
- Dents or Small Holes (Usually caused by hail)
- Excessive granule loss
- Lifted shingles
- Nails sticking out
- Plumbing jack areas are sealed
If you do detect any problems such as hail damage, lifted shingles, or anything that you might think was caused by a storm or an act of nature, it’s best to have a local roofing contractor to inspect your roof and perhaps get your insurance to pay for a new roof replacement.
2) Clean & Repair Gutters
Cleaning your gutters often can take away future mold or dirt buildup which can cause water buildup during storms and can lead to leaks if not maintained properly. There is a solution to that here if your looking not clean your gutters forever, click the link below to read that separate article.
3) Trim Branches & Remove Leaves
Overhanging branches can lead to squirrels climbing onto your roof and lead to random holes in certain areas because of this, so it’s important to cut those branches off.
Removing leaves is also another thing to also do as well. Along with overhanging branches, leaf buildup can lead to water build up in certain areas in your roof during a rain storm which can cause a leak to happen.
4) Bonus Tip: Don’t Install Solar Panels!
Through my 30+ years of experience in roofing, every homeowner that had installed solar panels on their roof had leaks every so often in their roof, and that’s because most solar panel installers don’t seal up the solar panel posts that go into the roof well enough.
Solar panels can be a good option to have to save money on your electric bill, BUT once they start to get older they will tend to rust, break down, and because of the large amount of weight, over time the nails and the legs that hold them will shift downwards. This shift can cause roof shingles to become exposed to rain and water, which will then cause leaks.
Roof’s won’t last forever, but these I hope these tips on how to make your roof last longer so that you don’t have to pay out of pocket every 10-15 years for a new roof.
Call the Roofing Experts Today!
We’ll Work with You to make your Home stand out and last a long time. We have been in business since 1991 and have extensive experience in Roofing.
Schedule a Free Estimate Today!
2 Responses
My sister has been thinking about getting a new roof because she needs new shingles. She would really like to get some help from a professional in order to be a lot safer. I liked what you said about how she should have the braches cut when they reach the roof to reduce damage.
Thanks for explaining how leaks can be prevented by removing leaves, and overhanging branches on the roof because they can lead to holes, and water build-up. My uncle has been thinking about getting a new roof next month because his current roof will be 8 years old. Having the new one installed by a professional could be really useful for him.