5 Tips to Make a Roof Last Longer

Gutters can be commonly seen at the edge of the roof, directing water to a certain point you want it to be in. You should clean them from time to time if it was installed on your roof.

Gutters can collect debris, dead leaves, or any other solid objects that could obstruct the flow of water. These obstruct the drains and cause water to be diverted inside the house. Worse, it can get inside the foundations of the house and make it wear in a short time.

You can do three simple things to clean your gutter.

Pick up leaves that got stuck on your gutter.

Clean the gutter with any soap to clear off dust and dirt.

To flush downspouts, run water through it. If water does not flow freely, you can tap the sides of the downspouts to let obstructions fall. You can also use long and hard objects like a garden hose clearing the downspout's path. Otherwise, use a leaf blower.

2. Roof Shingles

Various places have various environmental conditions, but you should keep a schedule to maintain your roof shingles. Some may have trees around their houses, and some may have thick snow during winter. Nevertheless, keep your shingles free from anything that can accumulate there.

You can make your checklist to fit the environment you are in right now. There are three most common things that you should consider on your shingles.

Trees Nearby. If there are trees around your home, you can trim the branches of the tree so that they do not touch your roof or call the owner to do it. Also, rake the leaves off your roof to prevent moisture accumulation resulting in moss. Moss is a growth that, if not touched for long, will cause enormous damage to your roof.

Snow After Winter. Ice dams can give your roof severe damage, and you must avoid this. Remove the snow from your roof as soon as possible with whatever method you see fit.

Rust Staining. In case you notice any rust stains on your shingles, get rid of it as soon as possible to avoid further more significant damages.

3. Check Roof Sealants

During bad weather, some parts of your roof may not hold together, and water can get in your house. Most roof installations include roof sealant to make the structure more durable.

Consider checking your roof sealants, if there are any, and replace sealants that are damaged or removed. Most roof types that badly need sealants are flat roofs.

4. Overall Inspection

As many would say, prevention is always better than cure, and this too applies to your roof. You must make it a point of concern that checking the general conditions of your roof once in every week will suffice or perhaps once every two weeks will do it.

As one living under the roof, you should be able to tell when repairs are needed already. A simple listen and look habit should do it.

5. Hire a Professional

Whether you're inspecting your roof daily or not, it is always best to have a professional look at your roof. They know better about the interiors and exteriors of your roof. Especially everything that is applied to your roof.

Just like visiting a doctor for a check-up, you should do the same thing to your roof. For better results, though, consider a professional inspection at least once a year.

Conclusion

If you are doing the repairs and routine checks yourself, never be casual about safety precautions. Otherwise, get a professional roofer, never sparing a second thought, to keep your roof at an optimum level. Take good care of your roof and never be aloof!