How To Extend the Life of Your Roof

Having a roof over your head is one of the most important elements to any home. But no one has created a roof yet that can last forever, especially not without an occasional roof inspection and roof maintenance. Of course, a well-made roof will last longer than most. Asphalt shingle roofs, for instance, have a life expectancy of about 25 years. A GAF fiberglass shingle roof, however, lasts for about 50 years.

And there are things you can do in order to keep your roof in shape so that it lasts as long as possible, sometimes even longer than the life expectancy. Want to extend the life of your roof so that it will continue to protect your home for as long as you live in it? You’ll need to stay up-to-date with roof inspection appointments and roof maintenance. In today’s blog, let’s break down the things you’ll need to know to keep your roof lasting for years.

Consider Your Climate

The truth is there’s no universal rule when it comes to roof maintenance tips or roof life expectancy. Every climate is different and therefore has a different impact on the lifespan of your roof. For instance, do you live in a dry or humid climate? Do you live in a hot, cold, or temperate climate? All of these factors can impact how long your roof lasts and the kind of roof maintenance you’ll need.

Houston is known for its subtropical climate and is hot, humid climate throughout the year. November through February tend to have milder, dryer temperatures, while May through August can be quite humid. The chances of snow and ice are slim, so you won’t have to worry about ice dams or damage from snow. What might be a more pressing concern is algae forming at the corners of the roof due to the moisture in the air. Roof rot could also be an issue, so be sure to look out for signs of discoloration.

Houston is also no stranger to storms and even hail. In these cases, you might find missing or damaged shingles after a storm, though sometimes the damage is not as obvious. You might have leaks as a result of hail damage that can only be seen from the attic or are too small to be seen even there. It’s in these cases when you should take advantage of a free roof assessment from Houston Roofing. With a roof inspection, we’ll be able to spot problems that couldn’t be seen by the naked eye and fix them before they led to bigger issues within your home.

Regular Roof Inspections

If you want to extend the life of your roof and keep it healthy, you want to spot roof problems before they have a chance to grow. This means having a regular roof inspection, even when you aren’t aware of any particular roofing issues. A good rule of thumb is to have a self-inspection twice a year and a professional roof inspection once a year. At Houston Roofing, we offer free roof inspections when you:

• Think you may need a roof replacement
• Notice leaks or other signs that might require repair
• Are concerned about the effect of severe weather on your roof
• Think that issues with your roof might be impacting your home’s energy efficiency

But even when your roof seems to be healthy, it’s still a good idea to have a professional roof inspection. This will help ensure that you catch problems when they start so that you can repair them early and can thereby continue to extend the life of your roof.

Roof Maintenance Tips

Good roof maintenance is essential to any homeowner who wants to extend the life of their roof. In fact, it’s more important to practice regular roof maintenance than it is to have professional roof inspections done. Good roof maintenance will help to prevent any roofing issues, while a roof inspection will merely spot them. But what are some of those roof maintenance tips? Here are a few tips to care for your roof throughout the year:

• Have a free roof assessment beforehand. Make sure you have a free roof assessment before you close on a new home, if you’re not having a new roof installed yourself. This assessment will give you a clear picture of any issues the roof might have so you can decide for yourself whether to repair it, replace it, or leave it as is.
• Check the shingles. Look up at your roof every now and then. Notice any missing or damaged shingles? Any spots on the roof that seem to be darker than others? Any signs of green growing into the corners? These are all issues that should be repaired and may require a deeper inspection.
• Attic, too. On a sunny day, make the trek to your attic and look up. If you notice any light breaking through the ceiling, then you could potentially have a leak. Water stains or a stuffy room could also spell issues with your roof that will need to be addressed.
• Clear your gutters. Your roof gutters are vital to the lifespan of your roof, as they help to protect your roof from water damage. Make sure that the pathway is clear by removing leaves, branches, and other debris once every season.
• Trim nearby trees. Tree branches can scrape against your roof, damaging your roofing shingles or causing cracks in your gutters. During a storm, trees and the debris that can come from them can be even more problematic. It’s a good idea to trim tree branches to give your roof ample room.
• Tamp down flashing. Your roof flashing protects any openings in your roof — for ventilation — from taking in water and causing leaks. However, your flashing might have become loose in time if you haven’t looked at it in a while. Now is the time to inspect your flashing and nail it down if it’s become too loose.

Have the Right Roofer

In Texas, anyone can set up shop and call themselves a roofer. There’s no license required, no certification. This means that there are plenty of shams out there who will probably do your roof more harm than good. If you want to really extend the lifespan of your roof, you want to be sure you have a roofer that you can trust.

A GAF Master Elite roofer is a good start. GAF gives this distinction to no more than 3% of roofers in the country. With it comes the GAF Golden Pledge, the best warranty available for roofs. Your roofer should also have the local experience to prove their salt. Houston Roofing, for instance, has over 10 years of experience serving Houston. We also make sure to use project managers who are not subcontractors, so we’re responsible for their professionalism.

Interested in enhancing the life of your roof? Let Houston Roofing help. Contact us today for more information on GAF roofing products and how to care for them or to sign up for a free roof estimate or roof inspection.