How Do I Prolong the Life of My Roof?
So you have replaced your old, dirty roof with a new and better one. Congratulations, but your job isn’t done yet as the lifespan of a roof depends on how it is treated. Everyone wants to age gracefully and so do our roofs. If we give them more attention, they award us with extended life spans.
Here is how to treat them with the respect they deserve:
1. Clean Gutters
Gutters should be cleaned at least 2 times a year: before fall and after spring. Dirt, debris, leafs, birds nests… all of these can clog your gutters. When the gutters are clogged, water has nowhere to go so it decides to enter the roof and cause serious cracks, leaks and other deteriorations.
If your house is surrounded by trees, maintain the branches and limit the amount of contact they have with the roof. Nature also can have a negative impact on the roof as it can invite mice, pesticide and birds to start nesting in it.
2. Ventilation
To expand your roof’s life span and keep a healthy environment up there, you should do frequent ventilations. Proper venting reduces the possibility of mold and moisture. It allows fresh cool air to enter the house while also getting rid of the trapped humid air inside. If your house cannot get cold enough in the hot summer days, go upstairs and open up your roof window, this will immediately change your home’s temperature.
3. Regular Inspections
Just as pipes and basements, roofs should be annually inspected as well. Setting a date for regular roof inspections will give you a piece of mind on an annual basis. Getting expert advice never did harm to anyone. In fact, lots of homes have been saved from spending money for complicated repairs just by having those annual inspections and consultations. If you notice some changes in your roof’s temperature and smell call the experts as soon as possible. These can be signs of roof damage and may suggest the need for complicated repairs.
4. Roof Threats
When you ask a roofer about the lifespan of your new roof, do not expect a straightforward and quick answer. The functionality of a roof will mostly depend on the material and the maintenance, but lots of things can chip in and reduce lifespans or comfort.
Here are some factors that will affect the functionality of your roof:
- Contact with Sunlight – If your home is located in a hot area and has lots of sun exposure then the roof will weaken over time and have a shorter life span
- The Color of the Roof – More prone to sunlight damage, darker colored roofs do not last as long as bright colored ones.
- Surroundings – If your home is deep into the forest or simply surrounded by many trees then the roof will need more frequent clean-ups. Debris, leafs and tree branches shorten the lifespan as they can damage the roof.
- Temperature Variations – If your weather conditions are frequently shifting from extremely hot to rainy then unfortunately the lifespan of your roof will be extremely shortened.
- Installation Process – it won’t matter if the roof is made out from stone or copper, if not properly installed it can lose its functionality even in the first couple of months. This is why you should think twice when choosing a contractor.
Available Roofing
Available Roofing is your professional roofing company in Oakville, Mississauga, & Etobicoke With over 14 years of experience in Commercial & Residential Roofing, we are proud and dedicated to offer the highest level of quality and service.
