If you’re among the 64% of Americans that own real estate, keeping your home in top shape is likely a priority. Roof care is especially important because it can prevent water damage and home structural issues.
Emergency roof repair can also be really expensive, so routine roof maintenance is critical. Read on to learn how you can avoid the high cost of hiring roofers for emergency services with routine care.
Keep Your Roof Clean
Keeping your roof clean is one of the best ways to prevent long-term damage. Clear the roof of branches and leaves.
These can pile up and create dams for water to pool in. When that happens, the area of your roof with the dam will erode and warp. You also may face mold and algae growth that impacts the air quality of your home.
You also need to clean your gutters every 4-6 months. This is because the gutters move water and debris down to the ground so they don’t damage your roof. It can’t do this if it’s clogged up by sticks and leaves, so don’t shirk this routine maintenance activity.
Inspect Shingles as Seasons Change
Your shingles are the main thing that protects your roof from weather damage. They aren’t just needed for a good home aesthetic and high curb appeal. They also are made of asphalt, slate, or clay that keeps the elements from seeping into your attic and damaging your home’s structural integrity.
If you see any problems from the ground, that’s a surefire sign that it’s time to invest in roof care. Even if you don’t, checking on the shingles more closely is a good idea at least once a year. You don’t want your home to flood.
Note that hiring roof maintenance professionals is important here. If you go up on the roof and try to do DIY repairs, you might cause roof damage.
You don’t have the professional knowledge or tools to get the job done. Experts will. If you inspect shingles incorrectly (or, worse, try to change them yourself), you might create problems that require costly emergency roof repairs.
It isn’t worth the money you think you’ll save with a DIY method.
Look at All Parts of a Roof
When you hire experts to look at your roof, ask them to look at both the fascia and soffit.
The fascia board is the wood that sits at the end of the roof. It’s hit hard by weather conditions because it’s exposed directly to the elements. These elements include rain, sun, and even hail damage.
The soffit is the wood underneath your roof. It isn’t directly exposed to weather damage but instead is the barrier between your internal attic and the outside of your roof. Problems can stem from leaking and pests, so make sure that the pros don’t shirk this part of the inspection.
Keep Your Attic Insulated
Attic insulation keeps moisture out of your home interior even if it creeps through the shingles. Condensation won’t build up and warp the wood or membrane holding your roof together. You won’t need to worry about damaged belongings, respiratory problems from mold growth, or a collapsing structure.
Proper insulation also helps keep heat inside your home. This is especially important in the winter when it’s cold outside. You would need to run your HVAC hard to make up for poor information and wrack up a huge utility bill.
When you call in a roofing company to check out your shingles, ask them to look into your insulation, too. They’ll make sure that there are no issues inside your home that could pose an issue when water and ice accumulate on your roof.
Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Leaks
One thing that you should always do in your home is look out for signs of leakage. If you’re starting to see water in your home or splotches on your ceiling, it might indicate a roof problem.
Some things to look for include:
- Structural damage to your roof (e.g. caving, warping, shingles falling off)
- Fading colors on your roof (that you can see from the ground)
- Water damage on your ceiling or floor
- Condensation
- Damp furniture and belongings
- Peeling paint on your walls
- Problems with mold and algae
- Light coming in through your attic/crawlspace
- A more humid space
You also may have a roofing issue if your utility bills are unusually high. Roofing issues can bring the cold or hot air of the outdoors inside. Your HVAC system will need to run more to match the thermostat’s comfortable temperature.
This means that your bills will be higher, so keep a lookout for that problem, too.
Set Aside Money for Emergency Roof Repair
Roof repair generally costs an average of $1000. However, emergency repairs can be more expensive. Costs can range anywhere between $300-$15,000.
Emergency roof repairs also aren’t something you can put off until you save up money. The longer you go without fixing roof problems, the worse they’ll get. You’ll wind up paying even more down the line.
Because of this, it’s important that you keep some emergency savings in reserve.
Professional routine roof maintenance can drastically decrease the probability of shelling out for emergency repairs. However, they can’t get rid of the possibility entirely. Having a little cash set aside can afford you peace of mind and give you a cushion if an emergency happens.
Hire a Roofing Company for Routine Maintenance
While emergency roof repair is both stressful and expensive, there are ways that you can avoid it. Hiring a good roofing company for inspections and information is the best way to keep your home safe and secure.
Get a free estimate for your project to begin important roof maintenance ASAP.
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After starting his first business at age 26, Artie Hendricks partnered with his best friend Rob Calhan and they have assembled a team of skilled and conscientious friends to be the core of Landmark Roofing. He largely credits his father’s strong and consistent work ethic and his father’s best friend Jerry, who owns a construction company and trained him through his first building experiences. Artie has since advanced through degrees in architecture, auto-CAD and construction management to build a business that prides itself on the care it shows for its work and its customers’ satisfaction.
