How to Extend the Life of Your Roof in Florida

Everyone wants their roof to have a long life. Unfortunately, there is a lot of unreliable information out there. When trying to extend the life of your roof, you can run the risk of doing something to damage your roofing system instead of helping it. That’s why it’s essential to have reliable information from roofers near you who know your climate and local best roofing practices!

PITCH Roofing is here to make sure that you get as much life out of your roof as possible. Today, we’re giving you our tips for making your shingle roof last. Keep reading for actionable advice from local roofing experts!

5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Roof

In general, picking quality roofers and materials is the best way to get a long life out of your roof. But once the roof is installed, there is still a lot you can do to help your roof last longer. Let’s talk about the biggest things you can do to extend the life of your roof in Florida!

Trim Overhanging Trees

Everyone loves the gorgeous plant life in Florida, but having palm fronds over your roof can pose some serious issues. Branches that fall on your roof can quickly become home for pests. And during a hurricane, high winds can whip up palm fronds and smack them against your shingles, which greatly increases the chances of your roof losing shingles during a storm.

To extend the life of your roof and prevent these issues, all you need to do is occasionally trim back any overhanging branches.We recommend that you trim your trees at least once a year, ideally right before the start of hurricane season. Depending on how fast the regrowth is, you may need to plan additional trimmings. A good rule of thumb is that if a branch is long enough that it could possibly touch your roof during a storm, it’s time for a trim!

Keep Your Gutters Clean and Clear

In theory, your gutters exist to help protect your home’s foundation. But without proper gutter maintenance, they could actually end up endangering your roof. That’s because blocked gutters will retain water, which can lead to water pooling on your roof. A good rule of thumb is the more moisture on your roof, the greater the chances that it’s going to develop a problem.

That’s why it’s essential to make sure your gutters are functional if you want to extend the life of your roof. Conventional wisdom is to clean your gutters twice a year. However, you can reduce this down to once a year if you have gutter guards installed.

Additionally, you should make sure that water is coming out of your downspouts. If it isn’t, then there may be a hole in your gutters or another issue that’s preventing them from working properly. If you suspect that there is a problem with your gutters beyond them needing cleaning, reach out to professional roofers who can take a look and get your gutters back in working order again.

Don’t Apply Sealant to Your Shingles

When you ask someone how to extend the life of your roof, they might suggest a roof sealant or coating. While these people usually mean well, this is not great advice. While sealants can do great things for some roofs, they aren’t usually the right call for asphalt shingles.

Your shingles are already designed to deal with high winds, water, and UV rays. But by covering them in sealant, you can accidentally weaken your shingles. For example, some coatings trap heat inside, which can effectively bake your shingles under the hot sun. This actually makes it more likely for your shingles to fail than if you’d never applied anything to them.

That’s why most shingle warranties will be voided by applying sealants or other coatings. While it’s natural to want to extend the life of your roof, messing with your roofing material isn’t usually a good way to go about it. Before applying any kind of sealant, always make sure to consult with a reputable roofer who is familiar with your roof’s warranties!

Keep Your Roof Clean

Oftentimes, the best thing you can do to extend the life of your roof in Florida is just keep it clean. Over time, a lot of things can accumulate on your roof — debris, mold, and algae are just a few. If you notice leaves, branches, or staining on your roof, it’s time to get it cleaned.

Whether you clean your roof yourself or hire someone for the job, it’s important to make sure there’s no buildup or debris left on your roof. Mold and algae spread over time, so a full, deep cleaning is the best way to prevent them from eating away at your shingles!

Don’t Pressure Wash Your Roof

This is another piece of advice that isn’t going to do much to extend the life of your roof. In fact, using a pressure washer on your roof can blow your shingles clean off. Even if your shingles stay in place, they will likely lose granules, which makes them more vulnerable to impact damage and UV rays.

While it’s important to keep your roof clean, a power washer is not the way to do it. If you don’t want to use a professional roof cleaning service, then you’ll need to clean your roof with a gentle brush and a mild cleaner. This isn’t as fast as power washing your roof, but it’s much more likely to make your roof last longer!

Let PITCH Help You Extend the Life of Your Roof

As a homeowner, there is a lot you can do to help your roof last longer. But sooner or later, every roof needs professional help. There is no amount of preparation that can make your roof immune to hurricanes or everyday wear and tear, which is why it’s important to have roofers you can trust in your back pocket.

When you need professional roofing services, don’t hesitate to reach out to PITCH. For a free, no-obligation roofing quote, you can always call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule an estimate online. No matter what issue your roof is having, you can bet that our experienced contractors have seen it before and know how to help!

When trying to extend the life of your roof, the good work you do on your roof is just as important as the bad work you avoid. Use our tips to help get as much life out of your roof as you can. And when you need professional help, don’t hesitate to reach out to the friendly professionals at PITCH!