Each home roof has a different life expectancy. If you have a roof that’s made of sturdier material like slate, you could be looking at a 50 to 100-year lifespan. However, if you have a roof made of a less durable material, you might have to replace your roofing every 25 to 30 years. While this is simply the reality of many older roof types, there’s no reason you should have to get a new roof after a mere 20 years of use. Thankfully, with a few time-honored maintenance tips, you can get your roof performing better in the long haul by taking amazing care of it. If you routinely check your roof and see to repairs early by calling a trusted richmond va roofing service, you could end up doubling the natural lifespan of your roof. If you want your home to last and stay completely uncompromised in the long term, here are a few things you should try doing regularly for a strong, long-lasting roof over your head.
1. Check for Damage After a Storm
After a storm hits, you might assume that everything is fine just because your home is still standing. However, failing to check for dents on your siding or missing, cracked, or damaged shingles on the roof could end up hurting you in the long run. A missing shingle or two might not seem like much on the face of it, but leaving your roof vulnerable to the elements even for a few days could result in an unmanageable water leak leading to moisture damage, rot, and more.
2. Do Preventative Maintenance
In order to keep your roof working at its best, you need to make sure you’re giving it the support it needs to protect your home’s structure. That means not simply assuming that because your roof is supposed to last for 50 to 100 years, it will do so without any help or maintenance from you. Even the sturdiest roof needs to be regularly cleaned, checked, and refitted with new shingles or flashing to work at top capacity.
3. Don’t Ignore Leaks
Tempting as it might be to simply ignore the fact that your ceiling is gently leaking, it’s a mistake you simply don’t want to make. Not tending to leaks until the last minute could end up damaging your home and rotting the structure from the inside. Remember, even if it looks like a small problem, it always has the potential to turn into a catastrophe if left too long untended.
4. Replace Loose or Broken Shingles
A broken shingle should always be replaced as soon as you notice it. However, to be even more on top of potential damage to your roof, you’ll also want to routinely check for loose shingles. Even if you assume a shingle can last through another storm, you simply don’t want to take that chance.
5. Check and Reinforce Flashing
The flashing around your chimney and vents might not be something you pay attention to with any regularity. However, this area can render your home extremely vulnerable to water damage if it becomes loose or starts to rust. Always check this area for signs of damage after a storm or rainy season.