How Long The Roof On Your House Will Last And Tips For Making It Last Even Longer
One of the most important features on your house is the roof. It undergoes wear and tear on a regular basis. Although at some time all roofs need to be replaced, when it needs to happen will depend on various factors: especially how it is maintained and the materials that are used. Castile Roofing is trained to handle such issues, but it helps YOU, the customer to spot them ahead of time; starting with the roofing materials.
The Kinds of Roofing Materials
The materials that are most commonly used on a roof are foam, steel, tile, slate, wood and asphalt. Asphalt shingles will last from 18 up to 30 years, while wood shakes tend to last anywhere from 14 up to 20 years. Steel, tile and slate can all last for 50 years or even longer. Usually a foam roof will last from 10 up to 15 years. They can also last as long as 30 years if certain coatings get applied to them. Whenever you are replacing your roof, make sure that you select quality materials that will do well and hold up in your local climate. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Tip #1: How To Extend Your Roof’s Lifespan
When considering tips, here’s one to start. There are several different things you can do to extend the life of your roof. You can clean the roof on a regular basis, care for any nearby trees and inspect it for any wear and tear.
Tip #2: Inspect Your Roof
Inspecting your roof every year is one thing you can do to extend its life. For climates that have a harsh winter, the best time to inspect your roof is after winter is over. In hot climates, it should be done when summer ends. It’s also a very good idea to inspect your roof following a hail storm or heavy rain. If you check for damage on a regular basis, your roof will stay in good shape for a longer period of time.
Check for curled-up edges or cracks, especially on wood shakes or asphalt shingles. Also make sure you look for dips in your roof: that might be a sign that there is a leak. When caught early, problems are a lot easier to fix, so make sure you check your roof on a regular basis for any warning signs.
Tip #3: Take Care Of Nearby Trees
Trees might be bad or good for your roof, depending on the area where you live. If you happen to live in a humid or wet climate, you need to trim back any tress hanging over your roof. Trees in a wet climate may prevent your roof from completely drying. That will increase the wear and tear on the roof. In a sunny and dry climate, trees can actually help to prevent damage by providing the roof with shade. No matter what kind of climate you live in, make sure to remove the leaves from your roof on a regular basis, since they may trap moisture and cause other problems as well.
Tip #4: Clean Your Roof
Of all the tips, this is one of the most critical. It is very important to clean your gutters to extend your roof’s life. Usually clogged gutters are associated with causing problems either for your basement or siding, but your roof can be affected as well. If the leaves pile up too deep, water may get into the roof’s rafters or sheathing and start to rot. Each fall and spring you should clean your gutter to prevent rot from occurring.
In some parts of the country, especially the Northwest is particularly prone to moss. Mass may trap water which can cause a lot of damage. Therefore, removing it is very important. Usually you can just sweep moss of if you catch it early. You might have to kill it first if the moss has accumulated.
In areas that have harsh winters, it is a smart idea to remove snow from the roof in between storms. Snow become quite heavy and can cause a roof to collapse in the right circumstances. Removing snow can prevent leaks as well. If any patches of ice are bonded to the roof, you shouldn’t attempt to remove them, since that can cause further damage.
Eventually you will need to replace your roof. However, there are things you can do to help prevent this from happening too fast. A longer lifespan will depend on how your roof is maintained along with the materials that it is made of. You can get the most from your money and your roof by regular care and cleaning and by using more durable materials.
