The average roof should last anywhere from 20 years (asphalt shingle roof) to 75 years (metal roof) depending on what it’s made out of. But regardless of what kind of roof you have on your home, it’s not going to last as long as it should if you don’t work to maintain it.
You don’t necessarily need to spend every single weekend doing roof maintenance to keep your roof in great shape. But you should make it a point to work preventive roof maintenance into your home maintenance routine. It’ll cut down on the chances of you having to do roof repair or, worse, roof replacement ahead of schedule.
We’ve created a roof maintenance checklist that you can use to guarantee that you’re able to get the most life possible out of your home’s roof. Check it out below and use it to ensure that you’re taking care of roof maintenance as often as you should.
Remove Leaves, Sticks, and Other Debris From Your Roof ASAP
Every now and then, you should look up at your home’s roof to see if you have any leaves, sticks, or other debris on it. If you do, you should pull out your ladder, head up onto the roof, and remove them ASAP.
If you allow for these kinds of things to build up on your roof, they’re going to serve as an invitation for dirt and water to congregate on your roof. And when that happens, it could very well lead to serious roof issues before too long.
It’s so easy to remove leaves, sticks, and other debris from your roof quickly. You should make sure that you’re doing it as often as you can.
Keep the Gutters That Hang From Your Roof Clear
While you’re inspecting your roof for debris and removing it, you should also sneak a quick peek at your home’s gutters. If they’re clogged up with debris themselves, that could also present a problem for your roof.
Water is going to begin to overflow from your gutters when it rains when they’re clogged, which could send water spilling back up onto your roof. This water could eventually damage your roof and force you to do roof repair.
This water could also spill down onto the ground and damage your home’s foundation as well. It’s why you should aim to keep your gutters clear at all times.
Look for Any Missing or Damaged Roof Shingles and Replace Them Accordingly
The shingles that are on your roof should stay put for the most part. But they might go missing and get damaged during bad storms in your area.
This won’t be a huge cause for concern right away. It’s simple enough to have missing or damaged shingles replaced. But if you don’t do anything to replace them, it could result in water working its way down into the lower levels of your roofing over time. And that could lead to leaks in your roof.
You’ll be better off replacing missing or damaged shingles pronto. You’ll sleep better at night knowing your roof has all the protection that it needs.
Inspect the Flashing on Your Roof and Replace It If It’s Cracked or Damaged
In addition to looking out for missing or damaged shingles, you should also inspect the flashing that is strategically positioned around vent pipes, chimneys, etc. on your roof. This flashing is designed to stop water from getting into the cracks that exist around the outside of these things.
If you ever have flashing on your roof that is cracked or damaged, it’s inevitably going to lead to water making its way into your home through these cracks. You’ll need to replace flashing right away so that it’s able to do its job.
Take Note of Any Weak Spots in Your Roof and Arrange to Have Roof Repair Done
Any time that you find yourself walking around on your roof, you should make a mental note about any weak spots that you step on. These weak spots could be an indication of a rotting roof.
In some instances, you’ll have no choice but to go ahead and replace your entire roof when it begins to rot. But if you only have one or two weak spots, a roofing company should be able to fix them up for you and breathe life back into your existing roof.
Keep an Eye Out for Any Signs of a Leaky Roof
Have you seen wet spots developing on the ceiling in the upper level of your home? This is one of the many signs that will show that you might have a leaky roof on your hands.
The first and only thing that you should do when this is the case is call a roofing company to come and check out your roof. They’ll be able to pinpoint the part of your roof that is leaking so that they can fix the issue.
Hire a Professional Roofing Company to Inspect Your Roof Every So Often
As long as you take all of the roof maintenance steps listed here, your roof should stand strong for many years to come. But because there is a chance that you could miss something that’s wrong with your roof, it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world to hire a professional roofing company to inspect your roof on occasion.
Google “roofing near me” and locate a trustworthy roofing company to provide you with a roof inspection. They’ll be able to tell you what kind of shape your roof is in and whether or not it needs to have anything done to it as of right now.
Doing the Proper Roof Maintenance Will Keep a Roof in Great Condition for a Long Time
Your roof is obviously one of the most important parts of your home. So you should make it your mission to care for it by doing the right roof maintenance.
Follow the steps that we’ve provided to make this possible. You won’t have to blow your home repair budget out of the water by having major roof repairs done when you take the right approach to roof maintenance.
Want to learn more about caring for a roof in the right way? Get some great tips by browsing through our other blog articles!