Knowing your Minnesota roof’s lifespan is vital to ensuring your home looks good and keeps you safe, warm, and dry.
Replacing your roof can be costly, so you want to try and look after your roofing system as best you can. If you are diligent and stay on top of your roof maintenance, you can easily extend its lifespan, saving you money in the long run.
Why is the Lifespan of Your Roof Important?
The lifespan of your roof is essential, particularly with our harsh Minnesota weather. A well-maintained roof with a few good years left will hold up better to severe wind, rain, hail, sleet, snow, and our humid summers.
If your roof has reached 80% of its life span, you might notice curling or cracking shingles, algae, or leaks. Curling shingles detract from your curb appeal, while leaks can cause significant structural damage to your home.
If you are unsure of your Minnesota roof’s lifespan, ask a professional to come and inspect it.
For more signs it is time to replace your roof, have a look here.
What Makes a Good Roof?
A good roof starts with a good shingle. When choosing your roof shingle, you want something that looks good and is up to the task of protecting your home throughout the year.
At Craftsman’s Choice, our expert Minnesota roofers use GAF shingles because they are the most reliable and durable. A good roof is more than just shingles, though; they are just one part of an entire system.
With GAF, you can be sure that your roofing system, from the felting to ventilation and shingles, is top quality and built to last. Not only will a sound roof system weatherproof your home, but it will also offer good insulation and keep your energy costs down.
Tips for Extending Your Minnesota Roof’s Lifespan
Check for Debris
Clear away any trees and overhanging limbs that are near your roof. This will prevent the surface of your shingles from being damaged, but it will also prevent excess debris from collecting in your gutters. It is important to check your shingles and gutters regularly to keep them clear so they don’t accumulate moisture.
Clearing away large branches will also allow more sunlight to get to your roof, preventing moss growth.
Clean With Care
You can extend your Minnesota roof’s lifespan by keeping it clean. Never pressure wash your roof because it can permanently damage the shingles.
If you notice mold, mildew, or algae on your shingles, then it might be a sign that they are failing and you should have them professionally inspected. Don’t use a traditional chemical bleach but rather a treatment of chlorine bleach and copper sulfate solution to kill mold.
Inspect for Damage
Inspecting your roof for damage is a great way to catch maintenance issues before they become bigger problems. If you don’t feel comfortable getting up on your roof, hire someone a couple of times a year to come and inspect it for you.
What Do You Do When Your Minnesota Roof’s Lifespan is at an End?
Most shingle manufacturers have gone to a lifetime warranty, but the thickness of the shingle and the installation is really important in what that lifetime looks like. If your shingles have not been well maintained or you have noticed that your roof is compromised, then have it inspected because you may need to replace it.
At Craftsman’s Choice, we are one of GAFs Master Elite Contractors. This means we can take their lifetime warranty from the product and extend it to 50 years on labor and materials. This is a non-prorated warranty, meaning it is as good on day one as it is 50 years later.
So, if Your Minnesota roof’s lifespan is at an end, contact us today for a free estimate on installing a new roofing system.
