4 Things You Can Do to Make Your Roof Last Longer

Doing a few simple tasks can go a long way towards extending your roof’s lifespan. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Schedule Frequent Roof Inspections

No matter how durable your roof is, it will eventually suffer some form of damage. And, when it does, it needs to be fixed immediately. That’s because roof damage can quickly accumulate. Loose shingles can be dislodged completely by gale-force winds. Leaks slowly deposit moisture until rot or mold forms in the roof substrate.

Except in cases where there’s an extreme weather event, roof damage usually starts out small. Routine inspections ensure minor roof damage is fixed before it worsens or spreads to other parts of your home.

Hire Experienced Contractors

Keep in mind that minor or early roof damage is usually subtle and, therefore, hard to find. Less-experienced contractors may fail to spot some of the warning signs. To ensure your roof undergoes a comprehensive inspection, only hire experienced contractors. Whether you need a roof or window replacement, it’s always a good idea to check your contractor’s qualifications.

Trim Tree Overgrowth

Simple chores like trimming overhanging tree limbs will get rid of hazards that can damage your roof. Strong winds can easily knock down tree branches that can damage your roof.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Trimming the trees near your home also has the advantage of reducing the risk of clogged gutters. Gutters protect your home from moisture damage by diverting rainwater away from your roof. However, they’re often clogged with all sorts of debris. Less foliage and branches mean there’s a reduced risk of leaves and branches clogging your gutters. But even if your trees have been pruned, you should still clean your gutters daily.

What shortens a roof’s life in North Texas

A few common habits wear a roof out years early. Most are easy to stop once you know about them.

• A hot attic. When an attic cannot vent, summer heat builds under the deck and bakes the shingles from below. Blocked soffit vents, missing ridge vents and insulation pushed against the eaves are the usual causes.
• Pressure washing. A pressure washer strips the granules that shield asphalt shingles from the sun. Algae streaks are better treated with a gentle cleaner made for roofs, or simply left alone.
• Foot traffic. Shingles soften in the heat and scuff easily, and every walk across the roof loosens a little more of the surface.
• Things bolted through the roof. Old satellite dish mounts, antenna brackets and light clips leave holes behind. Each one is a leak waiting for the next storm.
• Mixed vent types. Two kinds of exhaust vent on one roof can short-circuit the airflow, so the attic stays hot even though it looks vented.

If any of these sound familiar, a roof maintenance visit can put them right before they turn into a repair.

Lankford Roofing & Construction LLC, a contractor with more than eight decades’ worth of experience, offers roof replacement services. To get a free estimate, call us at (903) 465-7677. Or, fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Denison and Sherman, TX.