One significant thing homeowners must consider when purchasing a home is the upkeep and maintenance required to protect and preserve their assets. From the water pipes to the roof, you want it in excellent condition to serve its purpose for the entire household. The housetop is an essential part of the home you must maintain regularly to prevent unexpected expenses for repairs and replacements. Whether your top covering is asphalt shingles, solar tiles, or metal, you can prolong its life expectancy with proper care and maintenance.
5 Basic Tips For You to Maintain Your Shingles or Tiles
If your housetop material is asphalt shingles, it will last for approximately 20 to 25 years, from installation. Life expectancy of metal material is 50 years or longer after the original installation date. The longevity of your shingles depends on various factors, including geographical climate, environmental, overhanging tree branches, and harsh weather. You can help protect your home and its housetop by using the five tips provided in the article.
1. Inspect Your Housetop and the Chimney
You must inspect your housetop and chimney regularly, especially after severe weather with strong winds, heavy rains, and hail. A professional inspector can check for missing, cracked, and damaged tiles, bricks, and shingles. Have it inspected every one to two years to avoid costly repairs, supplies, and labor expenses. You can check the interior and exterior walls and ceilings for water stains and bulges that show there is damage to the roofing.
2. Clean Your Housetop Once Per Year
Homeowners can clean their own housetop, if they own a water pressure. If you do not have access to the equipment, hire a reputable contractor to cleanse it. When doing it yourself, you can use soap and detergent, but avoid any bleach products. You can have it done once per year or as needed, when there is dirt, mold, or mildew buildup.
3. Keep Overhanging Branches Above the House Trimmed
Overhanging branches above your roofing can cause problems during severe weather. It is best to cut off long branches directly above the rooftop to avoid structural damages. Fallen limbs and large branches can cause shingles and tiles to crack and housetops to collapse.
4. Remove Debris and Leaves from Your Gutters
Clogged gutters cause water seepage underneath the exterior housetop structure. Every maintenance checklist includes cleaning the gutters at least twice a year. The perfect time is preferably during the late spring and early fall. If you live in a windy region, you may need to clean them more often.
5. Provide Adequate Ventilation of the Home
Adequate ventilation of your home helps to preserve asphalt shingles and other types of roofs. Homes that have flat tops should check for the installation and sealing of its underlayment that keeps the material dry and ventilated properly. It will help to prevent water pools that can cause damages to the interior and exterior.
With consistent care and maintenance of your tiles and shingles, it will help to protect your home and property assets. You can start the inspection and check your walls and ceilings for water stains and bulging patches. Call a professional roof contractor to help you with maintaining your housetop. If you follow the provided tips, it will save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in expensive repairs annually.
