When you take a look at all the weather and debris that your roof is exposed to through the year, you realize what an incredible part of your home your roof is. Fortunately, to boost your home's protection value, there are some suggestions you can implement for your gutter system and when it comes time to replace your roof. Here are some tips to help you keep your roof in great shape and your roof's gutter system working properly for a protected home interior.
Install the Right Gutter Drainage
The gutters and downspouts on your roof's edges need to be the right type for your home and its surrounding landscaping. Be sure the gutters are wide enough and the downspouts large enough to hold the rain capacity that will fall on your roof. A large roof will require gutters on a majority of the lower edges of your roof to collect and divert rainfall.
The downspouts on your gutters need to lead rainfall through a downspout extender in which the water can be deposited onto a site several feet away from your home's foundation. Although these areas of your gutters are positioned along the landscaping and not at your roof's edge, it can be easy to forget them and neglect them. However, they are an important part of your roof's drainage and need to be maintained to prevent interior moisture intrusion in your home's foundation, whether this is in the basement or ground floor.
Arrange for a Full Roof Replacement
When your home's existing roof gets to the end of its useful life, you will notice a change in its appearance. The edges of the shingles will begin to curl up in patches making the surface of your roof appear rougher than normal, which indicates the shingles are aging and losing their weather-resistance. Over time, the shingles lose their granules and begin to degrade under the sun's UV radiation and constant moisture.
So when it comes time to replace your shingles, be sure you remove the old shingles and the roofing underlayer completely. This provides your roof with a clean slate upon which you can install the new underlayer and new shingles. If you leave the existing roof in place, your roofer cannot inspect the roofing deck plywood for dry rot or moisture damage, which will require replacement. Instead, the new layer of shingles will go over the old, increasing the weight on your home's roof capacity and covering up any moisture damage or leaks. This can lead to a weak roof structure and moisture damage in your attic space and insulation.
If you need help caring for your roof, contact a roofing service in your area.