We might not think about it that often, but roofs do an amazing job. They protect us and our belongings from the elements, and to take the brunt of all the changing weather that we go through, season after season. In Vancouver, that amounts to a lot of blazing sun, rain, and wind, and even the occasional hail storm and snow dump.

Over time, a building’s roof is going to need repairing and replacing. But there are a few things you can do to help extend the life of your roof. Here are some suggestions.

Clear off mould and mildew

Vancouver weather creates the perfect conditions for mould and mildew to thrive in, which can rot away the materials of your roof. It can create soft spots which eventually turn into leaks. This type of living organism will spread if you don’t remove it so make sure to deal with it before it eats away at your shingles and creates a leaky disaster in your home.

Protect against weathering

There are certain market products that can be applied to your roof that are very effective in helping protect against weathering. RoofKeeper, for example, is “an innovative elastomeric roof coating.” This microporous, acrylic emulsion is applied like a coat of paint directly onto the roofing material and can help protect against weather conditions for up to a decade. Plus it’s good for the environment since it extends the life of your roof and therefore keeping asphalt shingles out of the landfill.

Regular inspections

Scheduling inspections as part of your regular home or building maintenance will help prolong the life of your roof. Your roofing contractor’s job is to find problems and offer you solutions to fix them. As roofing contractors, we know where to look and what to look out for — some telltale signs that damage has happened or rot is starting to spread.

You should also perform spot checks after heavy weather events and storms to see if any damage is done. Look for bent and broken shingles. Be safe, though, and take precautions. If you think there are problems, we suggest calling a roofing contractor instead of performing the job yourself (a poor DIY job can affect your warranties and insurance). Just like dental check-ups, finding small problems like before they become large scale disasters will save you time, money, and lots of pain.

Problem prevention

Doing things like keeping the trees in your yard trimmed, cleaning the gutters and dealing with any critters that are making a home in or around your roof are all things that will help your roof live longer. It’s an ongoing job but consider the chore of roof maintenance an investment. The time and effort you put in now will pay off down the road.

As roofing contractors, we love seeing a roof that has been well-maintained. A responsible home or building owner that has done their part in caring for their building’s roof is always a bonus. Roofs are always going to need repairs, and eventually replacing,