The importance of roofs in homes cannot be overemphasized. They protect your home from rain, hail, and other elements. Roofs also help to hold other essential parts of the building together. They keep the ceiling, walls, and foundation in place. Therefore, you’re indirectly prolonging the lifespan of other essential components when you maintain your roof regularly.
Despite the significance of roofs, they are often overlooked by homeowners. Many homeowners make the mistake of neglecting their roofs after installation. They fail to hire experts like Roof Squad to help with regular check-ups. Hence, their roofs become short-lived and prone to different issues. To enjoy your roof for a long period, you must understand how to maintain it. Meanwhile, here are some of the importance of regular roof maintenance.
Keeps Your Family Safe
Roofs act as a barrier between your family and external elements. Therefore, to ensure your family is safe from external elements like stones, tree branches, leaves, etc., it’s essential to keep your roof in good shape.
Also, a bad roof can expose you to harsh weather conditions and excess moisture. This can also lead to mold. The presence of mold in the home can also be dangerous to the health of your family members.
Helps to Identify Damages Quickly
Regular roof inspection helps you identify damages immediately. Identifying damages early enough can help you avoid huge repair bills later on. For instance, with regular maintenance, a professional roofer will help you identify and repair a crack in a pipe boot immediately. However, if left unrepaired, it can become a major problem that will cost you more than the initial repair costs.
Increases the Lifespan of Your Roof
Installing a new roof is an investment. Just like the human body and other properties like vehicles, your roof needs regular check-ups to ensure that it lives its full life. The lifespan of your roof depends on the material and how well you maintain it. A new asphalt roof is expected to last for about 25 years. However, if not well-maintained, you may have to replace it sooner than expected.
Saves You Money
Regular roof maintenance is a way of saving money. Aside from the fact that you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money on roof replacement, it also saves you from expensive repairs. Regular roof check-ups are inexpensive. However, a minor issue unrepaired can eventually lead to serious problems that may cost you a fortune. For example, the formation of ice dams can eventually lead to roof leakages. Repairing a leaking roof is more expensive than insulating or ventilating your roof.
Protects Your Home’s Value
As a homeowner planning to sell your home eventually, one of the ways to make your home appealing to potential buyers is to ensure that the roof is in good condition. A properly-maintained roof increases the home’s value and makes it sell faster.
Everyone prefers a home with a sturdy roof that can protect the building. As such, they will be willing to pay for it. On the other hand, a poorly maintained roof may cause more complicated structural damage to your building and reduce its value.
Roof Maintenance Tips
Inspect Shingles Every Season
Every season has unique weather patterns. The cold weather comes with snow storms, while the hot weather brings sun damage. Inspecting your roofing materials and shingles thoroughly after each season will help you discover any damage or excessive wear. Once you notice a missing shingle or any other problem, ensure you fix them immediately to avoid further damage.
Remove Debris and Leaves From Your Roof
Removing roof debris and leaves helps to prevent the growth of algae, moss, or lichen. It also protects your home from potential damage. If left alone, it could eventually lead to a leaking roof. Therefore, ensure you remove dirt and leaves from your roof, especially after a heavy storm or rainfall.
Ensure Your Attic Has Good Insulation
Proper insulation helps to keep your home warm during winter and cool during summer. It also helps to ensure that there’s no ice dam blocking water drainage on your roof. Professional roofers can help you install high-quality insulation, like R-60 and R-49, in your attic space.
Replace the Caulk Around Flashings When Necessary
Every roof has vent pipes and flashing around the chimney. These help to prevent roof leakage. However, if the caulk around the flashings is bad or missing, you’ll find water leaking into your home. To avoid this, regularly inspect and ensure the caulk is in good condition.
You can’t enjoy your roof without regular maintenance. Although inspecting your roof and ensuring it’s in good condition may be stressful, a professional roofer can help you ease the stress. Inviting professionals to check your roof annually can help you enjoy the above benefits.
