How to Extend Your Roof's Lifespan without Breaking the Bank

Every homeowner wants to get the most out of their home at any given time, and one way to do this is to extend the lifespan of different parts of your home. This is a great tip as far as frugal living goes, and with the roof being one of the most expansive and expensive parts of your home, you can save a lot by keeping it for longer. Read on to see some ways in which you can extend its lifespan in an affordable way.

Always Work With a Professional

To make sure that you're starting off on the right foot, make sure to work with a professional roof contractor. Any time you need to have an inspection done or a fix made, work with a professional. While it may seem to go against practices of frugal living, you actually stand to make more savings when you don't end up needing to get costly fixes done due to a shoddy job at one point or another. When determining which new roof to get, the number one factor was identified as durability at 88% with longevity coming in at 83%, and these are both things that a professional can help you identify. When you start with a good roof, you will definitely get a longer period of service out of it.

Prevent Ice Dams From Forming

If you live in a place prone to snow, you need to keep ice dams off your roof. They can shorten the lifespan of your roof by adding extra weight to it as well as making the components and different areas of the roof age at different rates. Since your roof is essentially as strong as its weakest point, it's important to ensure that the whole roof is in good shape. Use a scraper with a long handle to get the majority of the snow off after an especially heavy fall, or pour a hot solution of road salt and water onto it to get the snow off. This way, you will be less likely to experience ice dams and the issues they bring.

Prune Trees Around It

Trees on your landscape give your home an impressive look, and mature ones increase your home's value by up to 20%. They can also pose a threat to your roof, so it's important to prune any that hang over your roof. This will minimize the debris deposited on your roof, which adds weight to it. It will also help keep your roof safe from weather damage which can be aggravated by the force of heavy branches falling onto it. Avoid this risk by keeping the trees close to your roof well-manicured at all times of the year.

Keep It Clean

Another tip to keep in mind for a longer-lasting roof is to keep it clean at all times. Dust, dirt, and debris can add a lot of unnecessary weight to your roof, so it's important to keep them off. They can also create a great environment for pests and rodents, which will cause havoc on your roof. You also run the risk of mold and mildew growing on it, which, besides looking awful, help create weak spots on your roof.

Have It Regularly Inspected

The final tip is to hire a roofing contractor to evaluate it regularly. This will enable you to find any trouble spots in good enough time to have them fixed. You will spend less money nipping a problem in the bud before it has had time to grow. Typically, a roof that's well-maintained and is constructed with high-quality materials has a lifespan of anywhere from 20 to 30 years. With regular inspections, you can push this period to its longest length and minimal fixes.

Follow the five tips above and you will enjoy having your roof in good condition for a longer time. It's never too late to start, so put them into practice and you will be glad you did so.