Easy Roof Care that Actually Prevents Costly Repairs

Roofs are expensive to replace. The good news: with a little regular care, you can make yours last far longer.

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Get it Cleaned Twice a Year

Wash the roof about every 6 months, or twice a year. Removing moss, algae and other plant growth prevents those organisms from degrading your shingles and other roofing materials. Left alone, biological growth speeds shingle damage and raises the chance of leaks.

Gutter Cleaning

This is the step most people forget about until there’s a problem. Get a gutter cleaning at least once a year – ideally in spring and fall. It needs to be cleaned out regularly so that twigs, leaves and debris can’t clog the system.

Clear gutters protect the guttering itself and the parts of the house that drain into it. Think of it as part of cleaning the roof.

Trim Trees and Manage Overhangs Carefully

If trees hang over the roof, trim them back – branches increase the chance of long‑term damage and drop more debris during storms.

If you’re not sure what’s “too close” for trees, the recommendation I’ve gotten from tree trimming contractors is to make sure tree branches are at least about ten feet from your house. This keeps the tree debris from falling onto the roof – surprisingly, even when fairly high winds blow tree branches around.

If you’re doing your own trimming, here’s what you need to know. The goal is for branches not to rub roof surfaces, because constant rubbing wears shingles down and can damage protective coatings.

So, as I mentioned, you want to keep tree branches at least 10 feet of the roof edge. This keeps leaves out of the gutter and reduces the chance of a limb falling during storms.

Also check your trees for dead or diseased limbs and for species that attract woodpeckers or other critters. If tree work is extensive, hire a tree trimmer or certified arborist. They know how to cut trees so as not to damage them.

Finally, consider replacing large overhanging trees with smaller, less aggressive species if they consistently cause roof or foundation issues.

Fix Problems Before They Get Out Of Control

If you notice small problems, getting them fixed more quickly can stop them before the damage gets worse. Roof problems tend to grow over time, or cause other additional problems, so tackling them early can prevent a lot of hassle later on.

Examples would be if you notice a broken tile after a storm, you should replace it as quickly as you can. Also, make sure you have a tube of sealant lying around so you can fix problems from the inside of your attic fast. 

If you leave these problems to fester, they can cause damage going forward. Eventually, you wind up with much more expensive roof issues that require a lot more money to deal with. 

Get Professional Inspections

It’s also a good idea to schedule professional roof inspections. These are best conducted every three to five years or so. 

Roof inspections are a good idea because they bring up issues you can’t see from the ground. Also, experts have a better eye for this sort of thing than you do usually, so bear that in mind. 

Improve Attic Ventilation

Another task to make sure your roof lasts longer is to improve your attic ventilation. The more you can get this right, the better the airflow will be. 

For example, proper insulation reduces the risk of moisture building up. If the humidity levels get too high, it can lead to mold and other issues. 

Attic insulation alone won’t solve roof-related humidity problems if warm air is leaking from the living space below. That warm, moist air condenses on cold surfaces, leading to mold growth and rot.

Air sealing is the second part of the strategy here. Use caulk and expanding foam to close gaps around chimneys, fan boxes, attic hatches and any plumbing stacks that pass through the ceiling.

Install a properly fitted attic hatch cover or insulated door to prevent heat transfer. The combination of sealed air leaks and correctly installed insulation reduces the load on your HVAC system too, so you’ll see energy benefits as well as improved roof health.

Watch Out For Animal Damage

Finally, be sure to watch out for animal damage. Squirrels, woodpeckers and raccoons can all cause serious harm to roofing if you don’t install adequate protection. 

Therefore, work to seal all your entry points. If you can add metal flashing, do so. This material is harder for critters to penetrate than conventional plastic. 

So, there you have it: some of the ways you can secure your roofing and make it last longer.