Have an Asphalt Shingle Roof? These Tips Will Help It Last Longer

Most asphalt shingle roofs are designed to last around 20 years. The length of time that your roof will last depends on the kind of maintenance you perform. While roofs do not need a great deal of attention, servicing your roof at least once annually can help it last much longer.

You can do a variety of things to extend the service life of your roof. These tips will help you take care of your asphalt roof and extend its service life by months or years.

Clean Your Gutters

Clean your gutters at least once a year — if not two or three times annually. Clogged gutters can damage the roof in a variety of ways. Pooling water at the gutters damages shingles and causes a backup of moisture to sit on the roof.

Leaves and other types of debris can stack up on the gutters and coat the roof, leading to rot, cracking, and premature deterioration of the shingles. Additionally, gutters weighed down with the weight of water inside can put pressure on the roof.

Cut Down Overhanging Branches

Branches that overhang your roof put it at risk for many problems. Large overhanging branches that fall onto the roof may break through the sheathing and into the attic — causing serious structural damage. Branches of all sizes can drop a combination of needles, seeds, twigs, and leaves onto the roof, which causes the gutters to clog. Finally, overhanging branches can serve as a roadway for pests, who can jump onto the roof and find ways into your home.

Cut down overhanging branches to prevent this from happening and protect your home. If the branches are small and easy to reach, then you may be able to cut them down on your own. To protect the tree and your home, larger branches should be removed by a landscaping professional or an arborist.

Remove and Prevent Moss

Moss seems harmless, but it has a way of creating big problems over time. Moss locks in moisture and shades the roof, which prevents it from drying. In large quantities, moss can cause the roof to deteriorate quickly.

Moss can be removed easily with a long-handled scrub brush, water mixed with oxygen bleach, and a scraper for removing dirt under the edge of the shingles. When removing moss with a scrub brush, scrub downward on the shingles to keep them flat. Avoid scrubbing hard enough to remove granules from the roof.

Moss grows easily on shaded roofs where moisture is a problem. To prevent moss in the future, cut down any nearby branches that shade the roof and remove or adjust sprinklers that may get the roof wet regularly.

Know the Signs of Roof Distress

Knowing the signs of a problem can help you take care of your roof. Watch for these signs that your roof needs service from a professional:

• Curling shingles
• Cracked, missing shingles
• Loss of granules
• Leaks in the home
• Sagging areas on the roof

If your home displays any of these signs of a problem, contact a reputable roofing company for a diagnosis and recommendations for repair.

Get Regular Inspections

Have your roof inspected by a professional on a regular basis. They can make small maintenance suggestions that can help you take care of your roof. Your roofing professional can also let you know when it's time to make a roof replacement.

If you have more questions about what you can do to extend the life of your roof, then contact us at Econo Roofing. We're always happy to answer customer questions and keep you informed so that you can extend the life of your roof for as long as possible.