A new roof is a considerable investment for any homeowner. At least once in practically every homeowner’s life, the need for roof replacement services becomes inevitable. As a new roof may set you back quite a hefty sum, it’s only natural to want it to last for as long as possible. With these tips, you can make that happen.
Keep Gutters Clean
Gutters are there to catch rainwater and snowmelt from the roof, and direct it where it can’t cause any damage to your home. But, gutters also catch debris now and then, from leaves to branches and the occasional bird’s nest – all of which can get caught in corners or in downspouts, clogging the system. When this happens, water will pool in the gutters and then overflow. The weight of the water may cause a strain on your roofing system, and the overflow may damage anything from your siding insulation to your foundation.
Cleaning your gutters regularly can prevent clogging. You can do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
Trim Branches Hanging Over Your Roof
You may not notice that some of the branches from the closest trees are already touching your roof. That may not look like a problem, but an overhanging branch can scratch or peel off a few shingles over time. Dry leaves may fall on your roof and end up in your gutters. The shade alone can lead to moss growth, which retains damaging moisture. Small animals and insects can use the branch to get to your roof or chimney. A heavy branch may also fall and cause significant damage to your roof; that may happen if the branch becomes dry and brittle, is eaten by termites or gets broken clean off by strong winds during a storm.
It will only take a few minutes to a couple of hours at most for a professional to trim those branches, and you won’t have to think about any of those concerns anymore.
Prevent Ice Dams
It doesn’t snow particularly hard in Sherman or Denison, but if your roof has particularly bad overheating problems, ice dams are possible. Ice dams, usually a result of an overly hot roof, form when the melted snow refreezes at the cooler edges of the roof. The dams stop water from draining properly and may even force it to back up and seep through the shingles.
Before you even have that new roof installed, talk to your roof replacement contractors about improving the ventilation in your attic. Proper ventilation will prevent your roof from becoming too hot and leading to the formation of ice dams.
Schedule Regular Roof Inspections
You can avoid many of these issues with regular roof inspections. Experts can anticipate the needs of your roof and help you prepare better for any repair and maintenance costs.
No one wants to invest in something that won’t last. Aside from quality materials, your roof’s longevity lies in proper installation, maintenance and care.
At Lankford Roofing and Construction LLC, we care about the well-being of your roof. We can also handle your window replacement needs. Talk to us at (580) 920-1433 or (903) 465-7677. We serve customers in Sherman and Denison and other nearby areas in Texas.
