A typical shingled roof should last 15 to 25 years, depending on installation and shingle type. However, what you may not know is that there are some things you should do to ensure it survives the entire estimated life without damage. Follow these ten tips to help prevent roof damage to your home in Florida.
Tip 1: Prevent Damage from Gutters
Your gutters are one of the most important elements to water control around your home. Their primary job is to funnel precipitation from your roof away from your foundation to prevent it from ruining your foundation.
When you fail to clean your gutters regularly, you create clogs creating standing water. This creates a substantial weight they are not designed to withstand. Additionally, this standing water encourages mold and mildew growth on top of ice dam formation in the winter.
Tip 2: Remove Debris to Stop Damage
There are many hazards to your roof when it is littered with debris. Loose debris can crack shingles, attract rodents that cause roof damage, and increase mildew and mold growth. The best way to prevent this is to remove the debris in the fall. Exercise caution if you decide to venture onto your roof so as not to experience a roof-related fall.
Tip 3: Deal with Mildew & Mold
Have you ever looked up at your roof and noticed green, black, or yellow streaks or spots, you have may a problem. Mold and mildew are more than unsightly for your roof. Rather, they can cause a bad odor, not to mention damage to the sheathing under the shingle.
Tip 4: Repair Damage or Missing Shingles
Your shingles are the first line of defense against roof damage. When these are broken or missing, water will leak through to your home causing significant damage. If you notice any damage to your shingles, be sure to fix those issues quickly.
Tip 5: Inspect and Repair Caulk & Seals
There are many areas on your roof that need to be caulked or sealed. These include anywhere a vent pipe comes through, around your chimney, skylights, and more. This caulk or seal needs to be inspected and replaced regularly. Check these annually, and if you notice it is cracked or peeling, remove and replace it.
Tip 6: Implement Pest Control
Rodents and pests are not just a nuisance when you see them in your home. Rather, they can cause significant damage to your insulation, wiring, and walls. If they find a way through a crack in your roof, they will chew a larger hole, creating bigger problems. Implement simple pest control measures to help keep these critters off your roof and out of your home.
Tip 7: Maintain Your Trees
Trees overhanging your home and roof can cause a lot of damage. When storms roll through Florida, trees and twigs can snap and impale your roof. They can also collect leaves and cause issues with mold.
Tip 8: Improve Insulation & Ventilation
One of the most common ways roofs are damaged outside of storms is due to improper insulation and ventilation. These can cause your roof to heat from the underside, leading to damage to your shingles. Over the winter months, it can also cause problems with ice dams, another major problem for roofs.
Tip 9: Look to Your Siding
Inspect your siding every year, and look for damage like gaps in siding panels or missing or damaged soffits. These can both signify and cause damage to your roof.
Tip 10: Get a Professional Inspection
Getting on your roof can be very risky, especially if you have a steep roof. Injuries from roof-related accidents are some of the most dangerous for both homeowners and professionals.
Modern technology allows professionals to take measurements and inspect roofs without ever setting foot on it. Using technology like drones also shortens the time it takes to complete an inspection. If you find damage, you can make a plan for how and when you will repair the damage, either yourself or with a roofing professional from SolarMax.
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