No one wants to deal with a leaky roof. First the slow leak, then mold and mildew damage, if not worse. It’s not the kind of thing you want to carve time out of your busy schedule to address.

And then there’s the expense. Roof repairs and replacements can cost thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. 

And there is a point at which they will become necessary. A roof won’t last forever. But there are things you can do as a homeowner to extend the life of your roof. Here are some of the best of them. 

1.Keep the roof clean and clear

A clean roof, clear of leaves and other debris, and clear of mold growth, is a roof that will last longer, period. 

Twigs, leaves and moss all trap moisture that will cause decay of the shingles as well as the underlying materials. They should be removed immediately. 

Another good practice is to trim limbs that overhang the roof. They block sunlight which can create conditions that are favorable for moss and mold to grow. 

2.Never powerwash the roof

While you absolutely should keep your roof clean, and even getting up there and hosing it off is not always a bad idea, what you should never do is powerwash it. 

Powerwashing can damage the protective granules ingrained into the shingles, and worse, can cause shingles to peel up. In some cases it can even force moisture under the shingles, which can cause rot. 

3.Regularly clean your gutters 

To keep your roof in good shape for longer, you should also keep your gutters clean, not just your roof. 

Like moss growth on a roof, clogged gutters can cause backups that can prematurely cause water damage to your roof, not to mention other aspects of your property. 

The other thing is that clogged gutters will cause runoff issues around your foundation. The bottom line here is to keep them clean. 

4.Maintain proper ventilation in the attic

The attic of your home should be properly ventilated because that will help keep the space underneath the roof from experiencing chronically moist conditions that can lead to decay and disrepair.

A good general rule of thumb is what is called the “1:300 rule”; that is, for every 300 square feet of attic space, you need one square foot of ventilation. 

The attic should also be kept properly insulated, to prevent moist air from entering, and to protect the interior against extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.

Together, a properly insulated and ventilated attic can offer a surprising extension to the lifespan of a roof. 

5. Inspect it regularly to find issues before they get out of hand

Lastly, just keep an eye on it, and we mean that literally. If you inspect your roof periodically, on a rolling basis, you’ll be more likely to catch issues before they balloon out of control and you find yourself staring down the prospect of an expensive repair project, if not an entire roof replacement. 

In the Market for a Roofing Company Near You? 

If you got to this article just a smidge too late and are here because you need to find a roofing company near you that can perform the requisite repairs, or replace your roof entirely, and you are in Indiana near Indianapolis, visit Roof Masters and Exteriors.

They offer numerous services related to exterior work but as you can glean from the name roof repair and replacement services are their specialty. Visit their website and get in touch with them if you have questions about their services, but if your roof needs work, don’t delay the project. 

For more information about Roofing Contractor Mccordsville and Siding Contractors Indianapolis Please Visit : Roof Masters and Exteriors.