Easy Ways to Maintain Your Houston Roof Between Replacements and Repairs
A Houston roof is sturdy and protective for about 10 years on average, but they can last 15 or 20 years, or even upwards of 30. This, of course, depends on the type of shingles used and if the weather and climate have been favorable in that time. Although a roof replacement will be necessary at some point, here are some easy ways to maintain your roof until then and between the inevitable roof repairs you will need every once in a while.
The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Roof is to Regularly Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters and valleys serve as a way to deflect rainwater away from your roof. Water, especially in Houston, poses a serious threat to your roof because it weighs down your shingles, causing buckling, sagging, and even algae or mold growth. Furthermore, it’s easy for water to make its way into your roof and cause a leak. Valleys guide rainwater into your gutters, and because your gutters serve as your home’s primary line of defense, it is very easy for debris to clog them. You may find twigs, leaves, birds nest, seeds, and other types of debris.
If you let your gutters become clogged, this creates severe drainage issues. Water will quickly pool up onto your roof and soak your shingles, soon seeping into your home. If the water pools, this also creates a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
To prevent this, you should remove the debris from your gutters by climbing onto a sturdy ladder and scooping it out, or by hiring a professional. You can also use a leaf blower to blow away the debris that sits in the valleys.
Trim Your Tree Branches
While we always love seeing trees in people’s yards, we insist on keeping an eye on them if they’re really tall and have overhanging branches. If you let a tree grow too much that its branches hang over your roof, you will find increased debris on your roof. It’s critical you trim the tree branches, or else your shingles will buckle, they may also become punctured, and the integrity of your roof will be compromised.
Amstill Roofing Will Happily Meet Your Houston Roof Repair or Replacement Needs
If you are worried about any debris affecting your roof and putting you at risk, then please contact our roofing experts. We offer free inspections so that we can check to see if your roof has been damaged by any of these factors and address them immediately.
