How to Improve the Life of Your Roof 

Re-roofing a home is a costly endeavor and depending on the size of the roof, it can easily cost $10,000 or more. Without a doubt, it is the single biggest expense that most homeowners may have to incur. Even if you have the cash to put on a new roof, looking for ways to improve your roof’s lifespan will be of great interest to you and your home.

Let’s explore a few ways to achieve greater longevity.

Ways to Increase Your Roof’s Lifespan

Here are just a few tips to improve the life of your roof:

• Maintain Gutters: If your home’s gutter system is clogged with debris then the water will start to back up along the edge of the roof instead of flowing out of the gutter system. It is imperative that you regularly clean your gutters to prevent a dam from forming. You can either tackle the job yourself or call a qualified roofer. Minimal cost investment depending on how much debris your home tends to pick up.
• Remove Nearby Foliage: It is imperative that you remove all tree branches and foliage that hangs over your roof. Leaves can fall on the roof’s surface and trap moisture (plus this debris clogs the gutters). During a storm, large branches might come crashing down on the roof and damage the roof shingles or structure. In some cases, the light damage could go unnoticed until the roof starts to leak into your home. Again, the cost varies considerably depending on your local conditions.
• Valley and Ridges: Nearly all roofs have ridges and valleys at the locations where different roof sections come together. These areas are unfortunately the most susceptible to water and debris buildup. Keeping the ridges and valleys clean helps prevent moisture penetration and roof rot which leads to unwanted leaks. This is very inexpensive to keep up with, however, it will probably require accessing the roof.
• Attic Problems: Most homeowners rarely think about their attic, however, in the height of summer the attic’s temperature soars – and moisture can develop. The moisture causes mold growth which damages the roofing material. Ensuring that the attic has adequate ventilation reduces the temperature and creates airflow which hinders mold growth. All roofs have some means of ventilation and making sure that vents are free of obstructions goes a long way to improving the longevity of your roof. Keeping your attic well ventilated won’t cost a lot – just make sure your vents and all venting mechanisms are in working order.

Your roof is your main source of protection from the elements. Your attic is the intermediate space which separates the inside climate from the outside. The difference in humidity and temperature makes the attic a prime location for moisture and mold problems if not ventilated properly. Ensuring your attic is functioning properly and that your roof surface is allowed to work as designed – shedding water to your gutters and down the downspouts away from your home – are the two main ways to get more life out of your roof. If your roof costs $15,000 to replace and you get 35 years out of it instead of 20 – the savings and importance is obvious.

Forensic Engineering Specialists

Engineering Specialists Inc. has nearly 30 years of field experience in analyzing the damage to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. We can work on any project in any state, nationwide. When you or your business needs to confirm the extent of damage or how to correct a problem, email us at office@esinationwide.com or call us, toll-free, at (877) 559-4010.