If you’re like many people, you know that taking care of your roof is important – and the better care you take of it now, the longer it’ll last. In fact, with proper maintenance and care, you may be able to make your asphalt roof last longer and push out a roof replacement for a few (or several) years.
This comprehensive asphalt roof maintenance guide will get you started on the basics.
How to Maintain an Asphalt Roof: 7 Essential Tips
Maintaining an asphalt roof is simple, but you must know what’s good for it (and what’s not). With that said, these are the tips you need to take care of your roof so it takes care of your home and everything in it:
Have your roof professionally inspected every year- Clear off debris regularly
- Prune trees that are too close for comfort
- Clean your gutters as often as possible, and think about adding mesh grates
- Make repairs as soon as you need them
- Check for damage from the ground
- Peek around your attic from time to time
Take a closer look at each below.
Don't Wait Until Damage Gets Worse.
Tip #1 to Maintain Your Asphalt Roof: Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected Every Year
You should have your roof professionally inspected every year, even if you don’t think there are any problems with it. A qualified roofing contractor will know what to look for and can spot potential issues before they become big (and expensive) problems.
Most roofing companies (ours included) offer a free annual roof inspection. During an inspection, an expert will climb up on your roof and look for any signs of damage, such as:
- Cracked, curling, broken or missing shingles
- Buckling or blistering shingles
- Shingle granules in the gutters (an indication that your shingles are deteriorating)
- Exposed nail heads
- Missing or damaged flashing
- Cracks or holes in the chimney
If your inspector finds any of these issues, they’ll be noted on a report and you can have them repaired before they cause any serious damage.
Related: What should a roof estimate include?
Tip #2 to Maintain Your Asphalt Roof: Clear Off Debris Regularly
One of the simplest (and most important) things you can do to maintain your asphalt roof is to clear off debris on a regular basis.
This includes leaves, twigs, branches and anything else that can accumulate on your roof.
Why is it so important to clear off debris?
Because if you let it sit, it can hold moisture against your roof, which can lead to rot, mold and other serious problems.
Plus, as that debris decomposes, it can create an acidic environment that accelerates the deterioration of your shingles.
To avoid all of that, just clear off the debris whenever you see it. It’ll only take a few minutes and it could save you a lot of money (not to mention headaches) down the road.
Tip #3 to Maintain Your Asphalt Roof: Prune Trees That Are Too Close for Comfort
Trees are great for providing shade and adding curb appeal to your home, but if they’re too close to your house, they can do serious damage to your roof.
That’s because branches can fall on your roof during a storm and cause punctures or other damage. And, as we mentioned in the last tip, leaves and other debris can hold moisture against your roof and lead to rot and other problems.
If you’re not comfortable pruning the trees yourself, you can hire a tree service to do it for you.
Related: 5 Things To Do When You Need an Emergency Roof Repair
Tip #4 to Maintain Your Asphalt Roof: Clean Your Gutters as Often as Possible (and Think About Adding Mesh Grates)
Your gutters play an important role in protecting your roof from water damage, so it’s important to keep them clean and in good working order. That means cleaning them out at least twice a year – once in the spring and again in the fall.
If you have a lot of trees on your property, you may need to clean them out more often. Also, if you live in an area with a lot of wind-blown debris, you may want to consider adding mesh grates to your gutters to keep the debris out.
Tip #5 to Maintain Your Asphalt Roof: Make Repairs as Soon as You Need Them
If you have any damage on your roof, it’s important to get your roof repaired as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will get (and the more expensive it will be to repair). If you do notice any cracked, curling, broken or missing shingles, exposed nail heads, missing or damaged flashing or other problems, be sure to call a qualified roofing contractor right away.
Tip #6 to Maintain Your Asphalt Roof: Check for Damage From the Ground
You don’t always need to get on your roof to check for damage. Sometimes you can spot problems from the ground with a pair of binoculars.
Take a look at your roof every now and then to see if you can spot any damage. If you do, be sure to call a qualified roofing contractor to have it repaired.
Tip #7 to Maintain Your Asphalt Roof: Peek Around Your Attic From Time to Time
Another way to check for damage is to take a peek around your attic from time to time. If you see any daylight coming through, that means there’s a hole in your roof that needs to be repaired.
You should also look for any water stains, which may indicate a leak. If you see any, be sure to call a qualified roofing contractor right away.
Do You Need to Talk to an Expert About a Roof Replacement?
If it’s too late for your roof and it’s time for a replacement, we may be able to help you. Call our office today to schedule your free roof inspection. We’ll be happy to send someone out to examine your roofing materials and create a customized quote for your roof replacement as soon as possible.
