Your roof is a huge investment, and also an important one. Purchasing a new roof can add so much value to your property, help with heating and cooling costs, and protect your home and its contents. With that being said, it makes perfect sense to want to do what’s necessary to ensure its longevity and get the most out of your investment.
Time and time again, however, we have seen roofs fall short in the longevity department, not reaching their maximum lifespan. Knowing what a commitment a new roof can be, we don’t want this happening to you. In this article you will learn how to make your roof last longer, including 6 ways to extend your roof’s life span, saving you time, money and stress in the long run!
Table of Contents
– Yard Maintenance
– Clean Out Gutters
– Maintain Roof Yearly
– Attic Ventilation
– Invest in Quality
– Hire an Experienced Contractor
1. Yard Maintenance
One of the smartest things you can do when determining how to make your roof last longer is to properly maintain your yard. The first way you can do this is by trimming back any trees that hang over your roof, and this is important for a multitude of reasons. Bird droppings, for example, are highly acidic, and can actually eat away at most roofing materials.
The tree itself is also a point of concern, as limbs that hang over your roof can allow for water to drip continuously onto your roof after rain and inclement weather. This is significant because this can actually erode your roof’s protective outer layer. Not only that, fallen leaves and other debris can prevent proper water drainage. This means that instead of water flowing down and through your gutter system like it’s supposed to, the water has to find other ways to drain, and could start leaking through your roof.
Fallen tree limbs are also another factor that could be detrimental to the health of your roof. Especially after a strong storm, it’s not uncommon to see limbs, branches, and other debris cause major damage to the roof. All of this can be prevented by properly maintaining the foliage on your property. Not to say that you need to remove the whole tree, but trimming branches that hang over your roof can potentially save you from a huge headache in the future.
2. Clean Out Gutters
If you want to know how to make your roof last longer, a great place to start is by cleaning out your gutters. The main goal of any gutter system is to allow for proper water drainage, and to control where the water goes once it leaves your roof. If this water has nowhere to go because the gutters are clogged, it can lead to a myriad of problems for your roof, your home, and even your foundation.
First, and probably most importantly, if your gutters are blocked, it may cause water to flow over the sides of said gutters. This, in turn, essentially floods the area around the foundation of your home, which can lead to cracks in the foundation itself. Even further, if your gutters are extremely full of debris, it could cause the gutters to pull away from your home. This can lead to water leaking into your home and saturating the walls, as well as rotting on the edges of the roof itself.
3. Maintain Roof Yearly
Maintenance is an important aspect to almost any area of life, and the same is true when it comes to how to make your roof last longer. In fact, proper roof maintenance is essential to extending your roof’s lifespan, and is a sure-fire way to get the most years out of your new roof. Roof maintenance, whether completed once a year or twice a year, is a great way to set yourself up for success by catching any potential problems before they become serious issues.
This is the opportunity to prevent future leaks before they start, to catch a small problem before it escalates into something more serious and expensive, and is also the perfect time to clear your roof of any debris it may have collected over time. As mentioned before, allowing wet leaves and other debris to collect and sit on your roof for an extended period of time can surely shorten the lifespan of your roof.
4. Attic Ventilation
When learning how to make your roof last longer, one important component that homeowners often overlook is attic ventilation. In fact, it’s one of the first things a roofing contractor will take a look at during the initial inspection. Proper attic ventilation is what helps keep excess heat and moisture out of your home, and allows both your home, and your roof, to breathe properly.
With that being said, as long as you hire a vetted and experienced contractor for your next residential roofing project, like Elite Exteriors, you should have the right amount of vents to ensure proper attic ventilation. Without the proper ventilation, the trapped hot and/or cold air could significantly shorten the life of your roof. This could eventually cause the decking to lose its ability to hold nails, lower its load-bearing capacity, and even cause mold and mildew, which can lead to major health issues.
5. Invest in Quality
When it comes to how to make your roof last longer, investing in quality from the start is key. We realize that investing in a new roof can be costly, and low rates may be a driver when it comes to decision making. However, it’s important to recognize that investing in quality could potentially save you money in the long run, even if it’s more money up front.
The quality of your roofing materials, components, and contractors that you work with are essential in maximizing the lifespan of your roof. If you decide to go the most economical route, this will result in the cheapest materials, labor and installation. This will reflect not only in your roof’s outward appearance, but in its ability to withstand the elements and to stand the test of time, as well.
6. Hire an Experienced Contractor
Last, but certainly not least, if you want to know how to make your roof last longer, hiring a seasoned, skillful and knowledgeable contractor is crucial. Choosing a reputable contractor has the biggest impact on every aspect of your roof, present and future. This will practically ensure that your roof lasts as long as the materials hold up, reaching its full lifespan.
When working with a vetted and experienced contractor, you can rest assured they will use proper installation techniques. This means you don’t have to worry about poor workmanship, not having proper attic ventilation, not using the right nailing materials and procedures, and that the installation itself will take place during the right weather conditions. All of this is key in creating a roof that doesn’t constantly need repairs or doesn’t last as long as anticipated.
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You can count on Elite Exteriors and their qualified staff to maximize your roof’s lifespan, and to create a roof that’s durable and long-lasting with curb appeal. Elite Exteriors is a Veteran-owned and operated company, and uses those same leadership qualities instilled in serving our country when installing your roof. The professionals at Elite Exteriors not only value their craftsmanship when it comes to something as important as your home, but also:
- Constant self improvement
- Being technically and tactically proficient
- Looking out for their team, their clients, and everyone’s welfare
- Setting an example
- Ensuring each task is understood, supervised and accomplished
- Teamwork and a sense of responsibility among team members
- Making sound and timely decisions
- Seeking responsibility and taking responsibility for their actions
Elite Exteriors truly values their work, and you’re home. This is just one of the many reasons why Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier resource for unparalleled service, craftsmanship and quality. And it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty! Not only that, we offer a NO-COST initial consultation and inspection. Are you ready to see what Elite Exteriors can do for you and your home? Give us a call today at 470-350-3024, or click here to fill out an online form.