Roof replacement is the last resort for homeowners because of the enormous cost. Every year, millions of roof replacement projects get underway either due to substantial weather damage due to storm or because the roof has reached the end of its life. To delay the roof replacement, you must maintain it well, which is not much for shingles roofing systems. While it normal for some roof damage over time, you must act fast to repair it before the damage aggravates. This will ensure that the roof lasts its life, which can be about 25-30 years for asphalt shingles roofs.
You can create a checklist for roof maintenance by consulting the experts at benchmarkroofing.com, who suggest the following tips.
Arrange for a professional roof inspection
To make the task of regular roof checking easy, you must assess the current condition by engaging a roofing company for inspecting the roof. This will help you to set right some defects and even learn the tricks of inspection by knowing what to look for and the places that are most vulnerable to damage. Moreover, professional inspection will help to detect some potential damage that would typically escape your eyes. The inspector can also tell you the condition of the roof and ho many mores it is likely to last. They usually recommend professional roof inspection every two years while you do regular checking in between.
Regular checking of shingles
Looking after the roof well starts by regularly keeping a watch on it, especially after high winds or heavy storms. To avoid the hassles of climbing up to the roof by using a ladder, use a pair of binoculars to inspect the roof from a distance. Check the condition of the shingles to look for missing shingles, curled or buckled shingles, cracked or broken shingles, missing granules, and peeling flashing. On detecting any of the problems, take appropriate action so that the problem does not recur soon.
Look for leaks in the ceilings and attic
Look up to the ceilings and attic to detect the signs of roof damage that become evident from watermarks and stains caused by water seeping through the roof. Check the ceilings and attic regularly for any watermarks. Besides, if there is a musty odor circulating across the house, you see spots similar to watermarks on the exterior walls and bulging patches on the interior walls. Seek professional help to understand the extent of damage and decide whether repair or roof replacement would be suitable for you.
Roof washing and gutter cleaning
Algae growth on shingles roofs makes it look dirty after some time, and besides looking ugly, it will start rotting the roof if allowed to persist. To eliminate algae, spray a mixture of water and bleach (50% mixture), which will kill the algae quickly and prevent the growth of installing copper strips under the roof’s peak.Since gutters are an essential part of the roof, keep these clean to avoid clogging that can result in water seepage.
