Your roof is your home’s primary defense against rain, snow, wind, hail, and heat. Consequently, these natural elements contribute to the damage and deterioration of your roof over time.
According to Forbes, the average roof replacement costs $8,000. A severely damaged roof can cost upwards of $18,000.
However, it is estimated that regular roof maintenance can extend the lifetime of your roof upwards of 50 percent. Thus, it’s vital to perform regular roof maintenance to maintain its condition and extend its lifetime.
That’s why, today, we’re going to go over the top three roof maintenance basics that’ll keep your roof in tip-top shape and save you thousands of dollars in the long run!
Clean the Gutters and Downspouts
A simple yet often overlooked roof maintenance tip is cleaning the gutters and downspouts.
Gutters tend to collect straw, leaves, pine, and other debris. Although this may not seem like a cause for concern, disregarding your gutters can lead to water buildup. Over time, this may result in the water leaking into your soffit, or even worse, into your home.
Fortunately, cleaning your gutters is a pretty straightforward process. Many people throw on some gloves and grab a latter and move the ladder every few feet. However, you can simplify the process by purchasing an inexpensive telescopic extension pole with a cleaning brush.
Sealing Exposed Nail Heads
Every roof is going to have exposed nail heads in certain areas. These are located around skylights, box vents, pipe jack, and furnace pipes. You’ll also have exposed nailheads at the end of each ridge of your roof.
Although exposed nail heads are unavoidable, it is advised that you seal them off with silicon. Otherwise, water may seep into your attic through the location of the nail head.
It’s straightforward to do this yourself without having to hire a roof repair company. Grab a ladder, hop on your roof, and place a dot of silicon on each nailhead.
Hire a Professional Roof Repair Service
If you don’t want to deal with all the nitty-gritty maintenance that comes with keeping up with your roof, you can always hire a professional to take on the job.
Professional roof maintenance will include inspections, roof repairs, debris removal, mold removal, and gutter cleaning. They’ll also look for potential problem areas that you may overlook. See here to learn more about the services that roof repair contractors have to offer.
How Important Is Roof Maintenance?
Roof maintenance is a vital aspect of maintaining the condition of your home. Disregarding your roof can lead to damages, leaks, and a hefty bill when the time comes to replace your roof.
Fortunately, roof maintenance is easy with a few simple tips! Be sure to clean your gutters regularly and seal off any exposed nail heads. If you don’t want to do the work yourself or simply want the best possible results – it’s also a great idea to hire a professional roof repair contractor.
We hope these tips help you keep your roof in tip-top shape! If you found these tips helpful, be sure to check out our other home improvement articles!