Replacing a roof is expensive. Even if you plan to use a cheap option, such as three-tab asphalt shingles, you'll likely spend thousands of dollars to install a new roof. With the job being such a large investment, most homeowners want to keep their old roofing along for as long as possible. Of course, proper maintenance is often the best way to extend the life of any roof.
If you have an older asphalt shingle roof, you may be worried that a costly replacement is in your future. While no roof will last forever, these three maintenance tips will help you delay your next replacement, even if your current roof is already showing signs of wear.
1. Schedule An Inspection
Part of maintaining an older roof involves fixing any existing problems. Once water seeps under your shingles, it can damage your underlayment or decking. Given enough time, this water will cause extensive damage to your entire roofing system. While the initial problem may have been a relatively minor and localized repair, it can eventually become a large enough issue to force a replacement.
If you have an older roof you've been neglecting, now is the time to schedule an inspection with a professional roofing company. A professional roofer can help you resolve any existing issues and recommend maintenance steps to prevent them from occurring again. Moving forward, you should make routine inspections a regular part of your maintenance plan.
2. Clean Your Gutters
Many homeowners don't realize that their gutters are critical to their overall roofing system. Gutter cleaning isn't just about keeping water off your head; it's a task that's essential to prevent damage to your roof. Your gutters work by taking water that sheets off your roof and safely redirecting that water away from your foundation.
When your gutters become too clogged, water can no longer effectively drain from your roof. In severe cases, areas of your roof near the edges may become damp or waterlogged, allowing water to seep under the shingles. In some cases, clogged gutters can contribute to ice damming, another problem that can cause serious damage to your home's roof.
3. Check for Rusting or Exposed Nails
Nails are a potential weak point in any roof. You can often find exposed nails on flashing sections around roof accessories like vent pipes. These nails provide a potential entry point for water, which can slowly work its way under your shingles and cause additional damage. Water is your roof's primary enemy, and anything you can do to prevent water infiltration will extend the life of your roof.
A professional roofer can inspect your roof for exposed nails, replacing and sealing them as needed. This simple maintenance step can add years to your roof's life by ensuring that water continues safely draining away instead of flowing beneath your shingles and into your underlayment and decking.
For more information on residential roof maintenance, contact a professional near you.
Share10 April 2023
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
