You might have heard the advice that you should have preventative maintenance done on your roof. However, having this done can seem like a hassle, especially if you have a busy schedule. Knowing why preventative maintenance is often advised can help you understand why it’s so essential for your residential roof.
Importance of Preventive Maintenance
It’s easy to ignore your roof when it’s not causing any problems. Keep in mind, though, that your roof plays an important role in protecting your home interior from the elements, such as wind and rain. Any problems that come up can put your interior at risk of water damage or other kinds of costly damage.
Preventive maintenance will ensure that residential roofing problems are found early so they don’t cause significant issues. Your roof can develop minor problems due to wear and tear over the years, such as a loose shingle or two. When these issues are not addressed in time, they can turn into more significant problems that lead to widespread roofing problems.
With routine maintenance, your roof can stay in good condition year after year. This is why it’s so important to have a professional roofer check your roof at least once a year for problems. Maintenance might also include tasks that are part of keeping your roof in excellent shape, such as clearing debris and cleaning gutters.
Having maintenance done can also boost your curb appeal and property value while keeping your house and family safe. A well-maintained roof has a much lower risk of sagging and causing structural problems with your home. Routine maintenance keeps your roof in better shape to protect you and your family from severe weather.
Effects on Roof Lifespan
When you have preventive maintenance done on your roof, it can end up lasting longer. Without maintenance, your roof might fail earlier than expected. For example, it might develop serious leaks or deterioration that require it to be replaced instead of repaired. A new roof can cost considerable money, so it’s essential to ensure your current one lasts as long as possible.
Preventive maintenance takes care of more minor problems that can result in bigger ones as your roof gets older. Having these issues found and fixed promptly means your roof shouldn’t need to be replaced until it reaches its expected lifespan. This helps you save money over the years since you’re less likely to need expensive repairs done.
Remember that you should hire a trusted local roofer to handle this maintenance. Your roofer should know what problems to watch for and perform all the tasks needed to keep your roof in good shape. This typically includes checking for signs of water damage, shingle damage, flashing problems, and gutter problems. Maintenance might also include inspecting your chimney and checking for signs of pests.
Common Roofing Issues
What kinds of roofing issues might be found during preventive maintenance? Roofers can let you know about problems they encounter, which might include any of the following:
Small Leaks
Small leaks can be easy to miss without maintenance. These leaks can end up causing mold growth or other kinds of severe damage when they’re not found and fixed in time.
Tears
Tears in your roof can happen during storms or because of simple wear and tear. Some animals can also put holes or tears in your roof while trying to get inside your attic. Tears in your roof allow water to enter and can lead to pest infestations.
Loose or Missing Shingles
Loose or missing shingles leave areas of your roof vulnerable to wind, water, pests, and other hazards. This can result in widespread damage when shingles are repaired or replaced in time.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing around vents, chimneys, and other protrusions in your roof helps keep water and pests from getting in. Worn or damaged flashing can lead to gaps that make it easy for leaks to occur or pests to invade your home.
Gutter Problems
Your gutters move water away from your house, which reduces the risk of water damage. Gutters that are clogged, dented, or loose aren’t able to do this, putting your home at increased risk of severe damage, including structural damage in serious cases.
Wood Rot
Water or moisture damage can cause wood rot to occur in your roof decking or other areas. This can lead to mold, pest problems, and other issues. Replacing rotted wood is necessary to prevent these problems from occurring.
If you need to set up preventive maintenance for your Arlington home, please contact S&S Roofing. Our roofers can check your roof for signs of issues that need to be taken care of promptly. These services will help keep your roof in outstanding condition over the years.
