How Often Roof Maintenance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Investing in roof maintenance goes a long way towards the long term health of your new roof. Even with a properly installed roof, it’s important to have

at least an annual

roof maintenance inspection.

What maintenance should be done on a roof?

In general roof maintenance includes:

inspections, general roof repairs, debris removal, gutter cleaning and mold removal

(among other things). To determine whether your roof is due for maintenance, it’s best to contact a professional roofing company. They can come out and do an inspection and provide an estimate.

How often should you sweep your roof?

All roofing contractors agree that cleaning and maintaining your roof can extend its life. Keeping your roof free of debris, routine gutter cleaning

at least once a year

, and repairing any loose or missing shingles will go a long way to extend the life of your roof.

What is the lifespan of a roof?

Slate, copper and tile roofs, which are on the upper end of the price spectrum, can last

more than 50 years

. Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last about 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years, the NAHB found.

How much does it cost to replace a roof on a 2500 square foot house?

A new asphalt roof for a typical 2,500 square foot single-story ranch house can range in price from

$9,000-$20,000

installed. When looking at higher end materials (e.g. tile, slate, wood, or steel), average figures can jump up to between $9.00 to $15.00 per square foot.

What is flashing in roofing?

Roof flashing—

Placed around objects or discontinuities which protrude from the roof of a building to deflect water away from joints or seams in valleys where water run-off is concentrated

.

What should I look for when inspecting a roof?

  1. Your attic’s ventilation. …
  2. Are there any visible roof leaks or interior water stains? …
  3. How many layers your roof has. …
  4. The condition of your roof’s decking. …
  5. Your roof vents. …
  6. Your roof shingles.

How do you maintain roof shingles?

  1. Inspect Your Shingles. Do yearly checks on your roof shingles — especially after the wild weather months. …
  2. Trim Branches. If you have trees with overhanging branches, have them trimmed before the winter sets in. …
  3. Unclog Gutters. …
  4. Monitor Moss. …
  5. Insulate/Ventilate. …
  6. Prevent Ice Dams. …
  7. Caulk the Flashings.

Is roof washing a good idea?


Consistent washing of a roof will remove wet leaves, twigs, seeds, and other debris that can cause algae, mold, and other contaminants to grow in the first place

! Regular power washing can then prevent damage to the roof and ensure it always looks its best.

Do roofs need cleaning?

Over time, dirt, moss and algae can build up on your roof tiles. In order to retain the structural integrity of the roof, and ensure your home and belongings are protected from all weather conditions,

it is important to keep your roof clean, and clean it relatively regularly

.

What happens if you don’t clean your roof?


Roof Damage

When you have a clogged gutter, rainwater has nowhere left to go but overflow or soak through your shingles and leak into your home. Your shingles then become softened and significantly damaged, allowing for more leakage from rainfall.

What type of roof lasts the longest?

The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) rates

slate

as by far the longest lasting roofing material, with a life expectancy of 150+ years, followed closely by clay and concrete at roughly 100 years.

How can I prolong the life of my roof?

  1. Choose a reliable, qualified roofer. …
  2. Keep the gutters clean. …
  3. Remove leaves. …
  4. Trim any overhanging branches. …
  5. Keep an eye out for damage. …
  6. Have your roof professionally inspected and repaired. …
  7. Dislodge snow. …
  8. Maintain adequate insulation.

Does insurance pay for new roof?


Most homeowners insurance policies cover roof replacement if the damage is the result of an act of nature or sudden accidental event

. Most homeowners insurance policies won’t pay to replace or repair a roof that’s gradually deteriorating due to wear-and-tear or neglect.

Why are roofs so expensive?

Tile and Asphalt are the most used materials for roofing, and they’re manufactured with the usage of concrete, clay or oil.

The rise of oil prices can directly impacted asphalt shingles to become more costly

. Furthermore, the cost of disposing old and damaged materials has also increased in the recent years.

What’s the best type of roof?


Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Relatively lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install, asphalt shingles are the best choice for most houses. They come in sheets that are layered on a roof to give the illusion of more expensive single shingles, such as cedar and slate, that are installed one shingle at a time.

How long does it take to put a new roof on a house?

In general, the roof of an average residence (3,000 square feet or less) can be replaced in a day. In extreme cases, it could take

three to five days

. Depending on the weather, complexity, and accessibility of your home it could even take up to three weeks.

How long should roof flashing last?

You can expect roof flashings to last

20 to 35 years, with an average of 25 years

. A flashing is any material that is used as a transition between roofing and another surface or at a roof penetration, or at a change in plane of the roofing itself. If a roof is leaking, it is likely at a flashing.

How much does it cost to flash a roof?

For professional flashing repairs, expect to pay

between $15 and $25 per linear foot

. Having flashing replaced around a chimney then, would cost you between $300 and $600.

Should I replace flashing with new roof?


Typically, we will replace step flashing when doing a new roof

. Also, a new flashing should not be layered over the old flashing. Your roof is supposed to have only one layer of flashing at a time. Installing new flashing is the only way that we can guarantee quality outcomes when replacing your shingle roof.

How do you evaluate a roof?

  1. Look for Algae, Moss, or Piles of Leaves. If you have binoculars, you can begin your DIY roof checkup from the ground. …
  2. Look for Buckled or Curled Shingles. …
  3. Check for Damaged, Missing, or Old Shingles. …
  4. Inspect the Roof Up Close. …
  5. Investigate Your Attic.

How do I know if I have roof problems?

Check Items Outside:Oftentimes, storms damage more than just your shingles, so you should take a careful look at your

exhaust caps, roof flashing, and roof vents

for additional signs of damage. You should also look for leaks and split seams for hidden signs of water damage.

What should I look for after replacing a roof?

Your inspector will look for

signs of sagging

, which is a definite point of concern in a new roof installation. Beyond that, there is also the fascia and soffits to inspect which, while not as substantial as the main structure of the roof itself, can still cause significant damage if not installed correctly.

Will roof leak with one shingle missing?


all of a shingle doesn’t make it more or less likely that your roof will leak

. It all comes down to that shingle’s location. When a shingle goes missing, the likelihood of a leak depends on whether the lost shingle or tab was covering a seam between two others.

Are Oakridge or Duration shingles better?


The Oakridge series meets 110 mph wind resistance standards with a standard 4 nail application, but the Duration series can withstand winds of 130 mph

. SureNail Technology – This technology is the most important difference between a good shingle and a great shingle.

Do fiberglass shingles last longer?


Fiberglass shingles can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years

, while traditional asphalt shingles usually last a maximum of 15 years. . If you install fiberglass roofing and go with a more expensive roofing brand you can expect a longer life expectancy, better durability, and longer warranties for your roof.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.