Regular roof maintenance is essential to extend your roof’s lifespan and minimize damage to your home. As an integral component of any building, the roof should be repaired at the first sign of damage to prevent more costly repairs later on. Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect their roof resulting in an accumulation of damage over time. Allowing damage to continue to build is not only dangerous for your home’s structural integrity, but can also lead to mold growth, wood rot, and excessive water damage. Learn more about proper roof maintenance, what a maintenance check should include, and how often you should have your roof inspected.
What Roof Maintenance Entails
Roof maintenance is an essential part of homeownership. At least twice a year, it is wise to hire professional and qualified roof repair contractors to perform a thorough inspection of your roof and perform any essential repairs. While some homeowners choose to perform roof maintenance themselves, this option comes with serious risks. Not only are you risking bodily injury, you may also miss problems that could later turn into expensive repairs. You could also void your roof’s warranty. During a professional maintenance inspection, roof repair contractors will look for a number of red flags.
Before heading up to the roof, it is important to check indoors for interior signs of roof damage. Water damage may be evident in the form of mold, mildew, water stains, peeling paint, or leaks in your attic or upper floors. If you expect damage from heavy snow, it may also be wise to check the beams and trusses in the home for signs of structural stress, such as rust, rot, or cracking. This type of damage can be very serious and should be remedied immediately.
Next, roof repair contractors will typically check for loose debris. Fallen tree branches, leaves, ice, and other debris can accumulate on your roof. Sometimes, if the debris is not removed, it can become wet and heavy, resulting in excess strain on your home. If fallen branches and twigs are an ongoing problem, it may be a good idea to trim the trees causing the issue. While on the roof, most contractors will also check your gutter system.
If your gutter is clogged with leaves and other debris, water can back up and stand on your roof resulting in extensive water damage.
It is also important to examine the roof’s surface for signs of damage or weathering. While some degree of wear and tear is normal, too much could indicate a bigger problem. If you have a flat roof, be wary of lower spots on the roof with standing water. You will also want to take note of any cracking, blistering, holes, or abrasions on the top roof surfaces. Roofs made of metal should also be free of damaged or loose panels with minimal corrosion. If you have a tiled or shingled roof, the contractor will ensure that no shingles are missing which could cause water to seep into your home.
Flashing on your roof should also be thoroughly checked. If flashing was used to install skylights on your roof, you will want to pay close attention to their condition. If gaps have formed due to the flashing pulling away from the roof, you may be experiencing a major leak. When water is concerned, you may also be facing mold growth. If the contractor finds any sign of damaged or deteriorated flashings or seals, these areas will need to be remedied as soon as possible to prevent further damage from occurring.
Finally, roof repair contractors will typically inspect the exterior structural components of your roof. This usually means features such as your chimney, pipes, and vents. In addition to looking for the usual signs of aging such as rust, rot, peeling paint, and moss growth, contractors will also look for more serious structural issues such as missing parts, bent elements, and sagging areas. It is also wise to have any old repairs inspected to ensure that the issue is still working as it should. If any damage or major deterioration is found on any components of the roof, have them repaired.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
You may be hesitant to spend money on your roof because you think that your warranty will cover any repairs when the time comes. In reality, most manufacturers of roofing materials specifically state in the document that the warranty is void if the roof is not properly maintained. In addition to having your roof professionally inspected at least twice a year, be sure to undergo a full inspection after major storms. Wind, rain, snow, and ice can all cause extensive damage to your roof, while also leaving behind heavy snow and debris. Also consider an inspection at the end of the winter season.
Regular roof maintenance is important for a wide range of reasons. First, maintenance increases the lifespan of your roof. The average lifespan of a roof is about 20 years but with regular repairs and maintenance, your roof may surpass this life expectancy. Also remember that your roof is part of your home’s curb appeal. Roof algae and clogged gutters can make your home appear not well-kept, while possibly affecting other areas of your property such as your landscape. Take the time to have your roof properly inspected, cleaned, and repaired if needed to reap the advantages of a maintained roof.
Contact Roof Repair Contractors Today
When was the last time your roof was expected? If you are like most homeowners, it has probably been too long. While roofing materials are designed to withstand the elements, they are still susceptible to weather damage and natural wear. Over time, small amounts of damage on your roof can expand creating more costly and time-consuming problems. Only qualified roof repair contractors have the experienced needed to spot signs of damage that are typically not noticeable by the average homeowner. Learn more about roof maintenance or schedule an inspection with a contractor today.