Roofs play an essential role in protecting the goods in your store from theft, the sun, wind, water, and other environmental factors. However, since the roof is the one most exposed to the environmental elements, it tends to be the one that faces the most damage.
While different types of roof materials have different lifespans, these tips will help you extend the lifetime of your store roof, regardless of the material.
Clean the Roof Often
Cleaning your roof helps remove any debris and leaves build-up. Leaving that debris and leaves on the roof for too long could cause punctures because they cause moisture build-up. Cleaning also helps remove any mold and moss that could be growing between the shingles of your roof, as any growth could dislodge the shingles from where they’re nailed down. If you don’t remove them, they will cause the shingles to lift and eventually fall off.
It is also essential that you wash the gutters often. If there are trapped leaves and debris in them, they become clogged and, over time, damaged. This prevents water from draining properly, and it has the potential to instead pool around the roof shingles. Eventually, the shingles soak and could quickly rot or fall off.
While cleaning your roof shingles, avoid using a pressure washer because it could tear off shingles from the force of the water.
Trim Trees Around the Roof
Trees around the house are a perfect source of shade and beauty. However, if they overgrow, they become a threat to your roof and home. They not only result in a lot of leaves and debris on the roof but could also cause damage if the branches fall during a storm.
Trimming also helps eliminate moisture build-up, which could eventually cause mold and moss to start growing on the roof.
Repair Any Roof Damage Immediately
Experts recommend that you inspect your roof often, around twice or once a year. Once you notice any small problem like a lifting or missing shingle, a leak, or moss, you should repair that damage immediately.
Leaving it could cause it to spread, and you may have to replace the whole roof, which is more expensive.
Coat Your Roof
Coating your roof in a finish helps make it weather resistant, protecting it from things like water and heat damage. Applying any sort of coating only takes a few hours and has numerous benefits in increasing the lifespan of your roof. Depending on your budget and the type of finish you want, you can choose between acrylic coatings and silicone coatings. You can also apply sealants, primers, or spray polyurethane to your roof for even better protection.
Your roof is an important part of your building, and as a result, should be treated with ultimate care. For that matter, roof replacements can get expensive, so it’s better to make sure the one you already have lasts as long as possible. When you settle into the task of giving your roof the maintenance it needs, be sure to make sure it stays as clean as possible as much as possible, there are no trees actively threatening the shingles, and any damage you find is repaired as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to invest in some sort of finish to provide your roof the extra protection it needs, especially if you live in an area where roof damage is common thanks to things like moisture or inclement weather.