We all want to get as many years as possible out of our roofs.

No one wants to invest in a new roof, only to have to replace it after just a few years. You want your roof to last as long as possible. For homeowners in some parts of the country, there’s very little maintenance needed to keep their roofs in great shape for a long time, but here in Denver, that’s not quite the case. With lots of sunshine and hail, as well as wind, snow and ice, Colorado roofs have a lot to contend with. However, there are lots of things you can do to make your roof last, and many of them are simple maintenance tasks that won’t take too much of your time. Here are a few simple maintenance tasks that can help your roof last:

#1. Clean out any debris from your gutters.

Not many people realize how important their gutters are to their roof — and their entire property for that matter. But, your gutters play an incredibly important role in directing water off and away from your roof, and also away from your home. Over time, your gutters can get clogged with leaves, twigs, dead bugs and a whole host of other debris, making it difficult or even impossible for rain water to pass through. When your gutters are clogged, and the water has nowhere else to go, it can lead to a range of consequences for your roof, including pest infections, mold and even roof leaks. 

If you make it a point to do it regularly, cleaning out your gutters doesn’t have to be annoying or time consuming. Plus, it will ensure that your gutters are working properly, and that they can protect your roof and your home effectively.

#2. Always inspect your roof after a storm.

Did you know that Colorado, as well as Wyoming and Nebraska, is warmly referred to as “hail alley” by meteorologists? That’s because this area sees an average of seven to nine days of hail per year. The reason why we get so much hail, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, is thanks to the freezing levels in the high plain. In Colorado, they are a lot closer to the ground than freezing levels are at sea level, which gives hail less time to melt before it hits the ground.

Thanks to all of the hail (and other storms) we get, it’s important to stay on top of inspecting your roof, especially after a storm. Storm damage can cause all kinds of trouble, compromising your roof’s integrity and leading to even bigger problems down the road. The best way to deal with storm damage is promptly, and in order to do that, you first need to know that it’s there, hence the inspection.

#3. Keep branches trimmed away from your roof.

If there are any branches that touch or hang over your roof, it’s in your best interest to get them trimmed. Over time, a branch that brushes against the surface of your roof can do a lot of damage to the top, protective layer of your shingles. Once this layer is gone, your shingles can no longer provide the same level of protection against heat and sunlight.

Another reason why it’s important to keep branches trimmed away from your roof is because wind, heavy snow or lightning could cause a branch to break and fall on your roof. If you think any branches could potentially fall on your roof after they’ve been broken, get them trimmed. Some insurance companies will even cover trimming your trees for this reason, and it doesn’t hurt to double check if yours covers it.

Proper roof maintenance doesn’t have to be a lot of work.

As you can see, there are lots of simple things you can do to keep your roof in great shape, and they don’t have to take a lot of time or energy, either. In our next blog, we’ll be touching on a few more simple maintenance tasks that help to extend the life of your roof, so make sure that you stay tuned.

In the meantime, if your roof is due for maintenance, repairs or any other roofing service, schedule your appointment with Endeavor Exteriors. We’re proud to be your go-to roofers in Denver!