If you have just gotten a new asphalt shingle roof put on your house, you want to make sure that you can make that roof last as long as possible. Before your roofer leaves, talk to them to get get some tips on the best way to care for your new roof. They can tell you some things that you can do that will help you take care of your investment and keep your roof in good shape for a longer time. So, what are some of the things that they may suggest you do?
Keep Them Clean
Your roof may end up growing moss, mildew, or algae, depending on your local climate. Those things are going to be hard on your roof and could cause it to fail sooner than it should. So, you should periodically have your roof cleaned. This isn't something that had to be done on a monthly basis, but more like something you should do every year or two. Have a professional climb up on your roof and check it out to see if you have anything growing on it. They can clean it in several ways. They can get a power washer and wash it that way. With a power washer, they will have the washer set on a low pressure so that it doesn't damage the shingles or knock them off the roof. The cleaning professionals may also use a special shingle soap to wash your shingles.
Trim Tree Branches
You will want to take nearby trees into consideration, and make sure that they do not have any branches hanging over your roof. There are a couple of reasons for that. One is that the branches might fall on your roof, knocking off shingles or putting a hole in your roof. Another is that leaves can fall on your roof, and the buildup can trap rain and other moisture and keep it close to your roof. If you have enough leaf debris on your roof, it can give algae and moss a place to live. The leaves can also clog up your gutters, causing water to get in under your shingles. Having any nearby branches trimmed can help keep your roof clean and functional.
If you want to make sure that your roof lasts as long as possible, one of the best things you can do is to call in residential roofers and have them check it out periodically.
When you develop a roof leak, you don't have time to ignore it. Issues with leaks can cause problems as simple as incoming water and as wide-ranging as mold accumulation inside your home, which is why you should never let an issue sit. However, if you aren't careful, you could develop problems with roofing that is simply open to the elements, allowing rain and snow to enter your home, melt, and contribute to problems like mold growth. On this blog, you can learn more about the kinds of roofing issues that you could be faced with, and what to do about them.