7 Maryland Roof Maintenance Tips to Expand Your Roof’s Lifespan

April 12, 2022

When selecting a roofing material, homeowners pay proper attention to the life span that a particular material promises. After all, getting a roof replaced in Maryland can be expensive, and therefore the longer the roofing material lasts the better.

When you take proper care of your roof & perform regular roof maintenance with a local roofing company, your roof will last you for decades. And in some cases, you won’t even have to worry about getting your roof replaced again in your lifetime.

Here are 7 tips that will help you increase the lifespan of your roof, saving you a lot of money along the way.

Roof Maintenance #1: Clean Your Roof Regularly

Cleaning your roof, ideally twice a year, is the first step towards achieving roof longevity. Any plant growth, stuff fallen on the roof, and scrap needs to be cleaned out; if not, your roof is likely to retain moisture, damaging the structural integrity of the roof.

If you have an asphalt shingle roof, make sure to replace any shingles that look rotten or worn. These rotten shingles, if left to their state, can affect the strength of the roof & compromise the protection in conditions of harsh weather. This matters especially when it comes to Maryland weather — Silver Spring roofing companies help ensure a roof is secure enough to handle snow, heavy rains, and harsh storms.


Roof Maintenance #2: Manage the Trees

As much as trees around the house complement the aesthetic of the landscape, they can be particularly counterproductive in a lot of ways.

For starters, debris from the trees such as leaves, branches, and cones fall on the roof affecting the flow of rainwater into the gutters. Next, they can create blockages and result in water puddles that damage the roofing material over a longer period of time.

If you have any branches of trees hanging over your roof, the first thing you should do is cut them down. That’s because, during a storm or heavy rain, these branches can fall on your roof and damage the shingles. Normally, it’s advised to cut any branches in the proximity of 10 feet from your roof. By doing this you can expect your roof to last much longer than otherwise.

Remember, you don’t necessarily have to do the job yourself. Particularly in the case of big branches surrounding the roof, hiring professionals would be a wise decision. Your local roofing company in Silver Spring can recommend the right people for the job based on their assessment.


Roof Maintenance #3: Cleaning Gutters

Gutters are, if not the first, one of the most important components of a roofing system in Maryland affecting the health of the roof considerably.

Oftentimes most homeowners don’t remember to inspect the gutters and as a result, they get clogged. Mostly, gutters are clogged by leaves and other debris from the roof. A clogged gutter compromises the free flow of water from the roof and water gets improperly dispersed around the house.

It’s imperative to clean your gutters periodically. The best way to remember to clean them is to perform the cleaning during regular maintenance. This way, you’ll never forget to clean your gutters.

Local roofing companies offer gutter cleanings in Silver Spring and that can ensure proper maintenance on the regular.


Roof Maintenance #4: Check for Leaks

Many times, branches falling from the trees have an impact on the roof resulting in leaks. Additionally, fittings of plumbing, electrical, and other vents also cause leaks when placed improperly.

These leaks, if untreated, can affect the structural integrity of the roof over some time. If you have a wooden roof, the exposure of the wood to the constant flow of water can cause it to rot.

To avoid this, inspect your roof for leaks regularly. In this case, it’s best to leave the job to the Maryland roofing professionals as homeowners are more likely to miss smaller leaks due to a lack of knowledge about how the roof works.


Roof Maintenance #5: Don’t Ignore Your Attic

Many things could go wrong in the attic. First, you need to make sure that your attic is properly ventilated. Overheating of the attic can result in a damaged roof.

Secondly, the attic needs to be properly insulated. Make sure that rainwater does not enter the attic & definitely doesn’t accommodate inside forming puddles. Third, if the wet spots stay for too long they can lead to rooting the wood. Spot any dark and wet areas that you feel are mushy & get them replaced.

In some areas, fungi can form in the attic region and can soon spread to the other parts of the house if left untreated. An unconventional odor should likely indicate the presence of the fungi and you should treat it as soon as you come across one.


Roof Maintenance #6: Replace Damaged Shingles

Harsh weather can cause shingles to get damaged and break down. Improper installation, too, can make the shingles vulnerable to heavy rain and storms. This is why a DIY roofing job is often a bad idea — Silver Spring roofing companies are more equipped to handle the right installation.

Cracked shingles can damage the structural integrity of the roof & damaged shingles can lead to leaks. If you come across any damaged shingle, get professional help from Silver Spring roofers and get it replaced. The earlier you treat the issue, the better.


Roof Maintenance #7: Perform Regular Inspection & Maintenance with Silver Spring Roofers

Though it’s cautious on your part to take a thorough look at your roof regularly, it’s always better to get it professionally inspected. As a homeowner, there are a lot of small things one could be missing that only a professional can figure out.

If you come across anything problematic during the inspection, treat it as soon as possible. Along with that, be sure to perform regular roofing maintenance, at least once a year. These roof maintenances will save you thousands of dollars in the future. And your roof will last much longer if you maintain it properly.

If you follow all these tips, the life span of your roof is guaranteed to increase. The only thing you should remember throughout is that if any job seems difficult, it’s always better to get professional help. More so if safety is your concern. Politz Roofing Company in Silver Spring can handle the job.