Your roof is an investment towards your safety and comfort. So it only makes sense to maximize your investment. After all, if you take care of your home, it will take care of you.
1) Schedule Regular Inspections and Maintenance.
How can you keep your roof healthy if you don’t know what’s wrong with it? As a local roofing company in Virginia Beach, we recommend having your roof professionally inspected at least twice a year. Ideally, once in the spring, once in the fall, and immediately after major storms.
Not sure when to schedule a roof inspection? Read our blog: How can Homeowners in Virginia tell it’s Time to Schedule a Roof Inspection?
There’s a good reason we harp on regular inspections, because they save you money in the long-run. They prevent minor issues from snowballing into expensive roof repairs. Virginia Beach is known for strong wind and persistent storms. So if there’s a corner of flashing peeling away from your chimney, chances are water will find a way inside.
As professional roofing contractors in Virginia Beach, we know that inspections are a glimpse into a roofer’s quality. We believe you can judge the quality of roofing contractors based on their roof inspections. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation inspections.
2) Keep your roof clean and clear of debris.
Speaking of Virginia Beach’s coastal climate… high humidity can lead to mold, moss, mildew, and plenty of other gross things growing on your roof. If left untreated, they can get inside your attic and infect your air. Read our blog, Coastal Roofing Tips to Protect Your Virginia Beach Home, to learn how to clean your roof.
If you can, remove leaves and branches from your roof. This kind of debris can trap moisture, accelerating your roof’s deterioration.
Don’t forget about your gutters. They are a vital component of your roof and home. So clean them out to ensure they don’t build up with water or other gross things.
Remember, safety first. Take any and all safety precautions if you are determined to clean your roof by yourself. There are home services like gutter cleaners who can safely take these chores off your hands.
3) Manage the Surrounding Environment.
Trim back nearby trees and overhanging branches. You can prevent falling branches and trees crashing through your roof by simply managing your environment. Now trees can act as a natural windbreak. So ideally you would have surrounding trees but none directly overhead.
Managing your environment also means looking for critters trying to make a home in your attic. Squirrels, birds, and even raccoons might seek shelter in your shelter. We do NOT recommend dealing with these animals alone. If you hear creatures above, call in the professionals.
4) Always Repair Minor Damage as Quickly as Possible.
Address small issues immediately. Minor roof damage is like spilled milk. If you don’t clean up immediately, if you let it fester and curdle, then you’ll have a bigger, grosser mess to clean up. Fixing minor damage now will prevent them from snowballing into big, expensive problems down the road.
5) There’s Only So Much You Can Do for a Roof’s Lifespan. Consider Upgrading your Roof to Something Stronger.
The standard lifespan for standard 3-tab shingles is 15 – 20 years. So if your current roof is on year 18, then it’s given a lot, but it won’t be able to give much more. You could get a roof replacement with the same materials or you can go with something stronger. For example, we offer GAF’s impact resistant shingles to protect your home from hail storms.
We can also replace your roof with a FORTIFIED™ Roof. This is an entire roofing system designed for severe weather. Check out our FORTIFIED™ Roof to learn just how it can protect you and your family.