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?
While every roof will eventually need to be replaced, proper roof maintenance can keep your shingles in good condition and protect your home from damage for years to come. Check out our roof maintenance tips to learn how to extend the life of your roof.
1. Check Your 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 Proper 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 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 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 spraying a 1:1 ratio of water and bleach on your roof.
5. Clean Your Gutters
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 6 steps to clean your gutters properly.
6. Trim Overhanging Branches
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 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 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 services like Softwash Hawaii to help clean and restore life back into your roof and exterior surfaces. Keeping your roof and exterior surfaces clean and maintained exponentially adds life to them and your hard earned money.
Learn More About Softwash Hawaii
Follow Softwash Hawaii’s roof maintenance checklist and protect your roof from future damage today. And if you are looking to clean and maintain your roof and exterior surfaces, contact us today to learn more about Softwash Hawaii and what we can do to extend the life of your roof and exterior surfaces—and save you thousands of dollars.
