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?
Every roof will eventually need to be replaced, but proper roof maintenance can keep your shingles in good condition and protect your home from damage for many years to come. Check out our roof maintenance tips to learn how to extend the life of your roof.
1. Check Your Roofing 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 Professional 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 Roof 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 Clean & Treat 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 using the LA Roof Crafters Roof-A-Cide roof wash and treatment system.
5. Clean Your Gutters & Gutter Guards
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. Here are steps to clean your gutters properly.
6. Trim Branches Overhanging your Roof
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 Any Cracks in 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 Roofing 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-A-Cide and LA Roof Crafters to help restore beauty 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. LA Roof Crafters with Roof-A-Cide can in many cases make your roof look new again.
Learn More About Roof-A-Cide
Follow Louisiana Roof Crafters’ 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-A-Cide from LLA Roof Crafters and what we can do to extend the life of your roof—and save you thousands of dollars.
