Because damage to your roof can shorten its life considerably and necessitate an expensive replacement before time, it is well worth your time and effort to perform regular inspections and maintenance. While a good quality shingle roof can last for 15-20 years, with some effort on care, you can make it last longer. Some practical tips on making your roof last longer:

Inspect Your Roof Regularly 

You should carry out a thorough inspection twice a year; once just after winter and the next in fall so that you know if your roof has been damaged due to snow, ice, and winter storms or the thunderstorms that commonly occur in summer. You should walk around your home and also get on top of the roof to spot broken and missing shingles or tiles and signs of water ingress. Also, watch out for signs of corrosion and rot that can weaken the rood and cause it to fail prematurely.

Clean and Repair the Gutters

Gutters are responsible for draining the rainwater and snow freely so that moisture does not accumulate and seep in under the shingles. The damp can cause the structure to rot besides which, mold and mildew can develop if left unattended. Gutters that can easily become choked with fallen leaves and other storm debris should be cleaned with a trowel first, after which you can hose it down. If the water does not pass freely, you should clean the downspout. If the gutters are broken or are not sloping well, you need to repair them. According to Huffington Post, blocked gutters can result in extensive damage to your home if not properly cleaned.

Remove Moss and Leaves

Moss developing on the roof or underneath the eaves can drastically shorten the life of your roof by keeping the area damp and allowing the water to seep in under the shingles. Scrub off the moss after applying a chemical moss killer and hose off the roof to clear it of the debris and the dry leaves. You can also use a blower to get rid of the leaves, especially during fall when you may need to remove the leaves frequently, observes a foreman of Benchmark Roofing Columbus, a reputed roofing company. By trimming the overhanging branches, not only can you reduce the number of leaves falling on the roof but also protect your roof better from damage from branches falling on the roof.

Prevent Ice Dams

If you live in a cold area, icicles are likely to form at the edge of the roof that can damage it as well as the gutters and downspouts. Trying to break them may cause further damage, so it is better to sprinkle calcium chloride that can melt the ice. Better still, by ensuring the equalization of temperature between the eaves and the top of the roof, you can prevent ice formation.

Conclusion 

Replacing your roof can be an expensive proposition, which is why conducting regular maintenance is recommended for extending the life of the roof. If you are not inclined to do it yourself, you should entrust the job to an experienced roofing company.