At some point, all roof materials will have to replaced. This means a total roof replacement that can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars. However, with simple routine roof maintenance the homeowner can easily expand the lifespan of their roof and delay a total replacement. Most maintenance can be done by either the homeowner or a roof cleaning professional for a fraction of a total replacement cost.

Most roof damage and failure will occur in the valleys and excessively shaded areas. Roofs are designed to dry quickly. If this is not allowed to happen, organic materials, such as moss, mold, algae, lichen, and fungi can move in and colonize that area of the roof. This organic material further prevents the roof from completely drying, causing the shingles to crack and decay, eventually leading to roof leaks. There are several ways to prevent this from occurring:

1. Trim and remove all overhanging branches that shade parts of the roof, or have trees removed that cause excessive shade on the roof. Since these shaded areas do not receive sunlight, it will take these areas longer to dry after a rain storm, inviting organic material to move in.
2. Keep the roof, especially the valleys, free of all debris. Do not allow leaves, branches, and other debris to collect on the roof. Like shade, the debris prevents the roof from drying properly.
3. Gutters should be cleaned on a regular basis. Overtime, this debris will back up and cause damage to the edges of roof. This debris will eventually allow for organic material to inhabit the shingles on the roof edges, damaging the shingles and causing leak
4. Hire a professional roof cleaner. Because walking on a wet roof is dangerous, and a power washer can easily damage your roof, this task is best left to the professionals. If your roof is starting to show discoloration or black streaks, it is a sign that organic material has already moved in. These streaks and discoloration aren’t simply dirt. They are evidence of fungi and mold moving in and starting to eat away at your shingles. However, this material can easily be removed with a proper roof cleaning by a trained professional. Just because there is evidence of harmful organic material on your roof, does not mean that the roof needs to be replaced. Most of the time a simple cleaning is all it needs.

By routinely keeping your roof maintained, you can easily extend the lifespan of your roof. When properly maintained, your roof can last decades and prevent the costly upfront expense of a total roof replacement.