Rooftops are on one of the primary components to any structure. Over time the harsh weather conditions, pests, and the passing of time among other possible scenarios, puts wear and tear on it until eventually you need to replace the roof. Where there is no stopping the inevitable, you can significantly expand the years by doing periodic inspections and maintenance throughout the year. Today, we at Nickerson’s Roofing would like to share just a few ideas to help promote a better condition of your roof and extend the projected lifespan.
How to Extend the Life of Your Shingle Roof
1) Attic Inspection Checklist: Inspect the attic space for any red flags, particularly mold. If mold or other signs of water damage is prevalent, the likely cause is a leaky roof. Small leaks can get patched up easily and still provide the durability your roof needs. Additionally, clear the vents free from dust, dirt, and other debris. Adequate ventilation in your roof can contribute to improving the overall condition of your roof. If you do not know what to look for, or simply do not want to clunk around in the attic, you can hire a professional roofer to perform a comprehensive inspection to ensure there are no negative factors impacting your roof in the attic.
2) Keep Your Trees Pruned Away from the Roof: By keeping your trees properly trimmed away the roof you significantly benefit in a number of ways. For starters, keeping the branches away from the roof reduces the amount of leaves and small branches that can clog your gutters. Clogged gutters can create too much pressure of rainfall on your roof, producing leaks. Another benefit of keeping your trees trimmed is that heavy branches are less likely to crash into your rooftop in the event of an extreme weather storm or a sickly tree that looses limbs. Trees that are properly pruned are healthier.
3) Evaluate Your Gutters: Checking your gutters periodically, especially during the rainy season, is important but often overlooked. Clogged gutters that are not properly flowing can be detrimental to the roof. Water will pool with no place to go, causing leaks. Weighted gutters can be pulled from the roof, produce mold, become rusty, and experience other damage. Keeping the gutters clear can improve the condition of your roof and gutters. There are some gutter rails and screens that can help avoid clogs and keep your gutters functioning without too much maintenance and worry. Otherwise, gutters should be inspected every other week, more so during periods of excessive rain and when the leaves fall.
4) DIY Roof Maintenance Checks: Inspect your roof periodically and assess the conditions of your shingles and if any are missing. Replacing a shingle or two every now and then can save your roof from damage as well as saving you thousands of dollars to get a premature roof replacement. If any debris is building up on your roof, be sure to get it removed. During snow storms, clear it off the roof to prevent ice dams, as they can deteriorate shingles and contribute to leaks.
5) Professional Roofing Inspection: Just as you get your car inspected by a professional every 3,000 miles, your roof should get annual inspections from a professional. By being proactive, a trained expert can detect any early signs of problems and take care of it before the minor issues turn into catastrophes.
Roofing Services in Truckee, Mystic, Floriston, Olympic Valley, Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, Dollar Point, Ridgewood, Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach, Eder, Norden, Soda Springs & The North Lake Tahoe Basin of California
If your rooftop in the North Lake Tahoe Basin of California is in need of a professional inspection or you have spotted some problems that need to be rectified during a DIY inspection, contact Nickerson’s Roofing and let our experts take care of you.
