Your roof is one of the most critical and expensive parts of your house. Yet no roof lasts forever, and the time will eventually come when you need to hire a company that provides roof services for a new installation. In the meantime, to get the most from your current roof remember these tips below offered by professional roof companies. You will prolong the life of your roof and reduce the need for roof repairs over the years.
Maintenance Is Essential!
No matter what type of material is on the top of your house, all roofs require some type of maintenance. Regular inspections, performed by experienced roof services, are critical in order to ensure that everything is in good condition. It is the best way to detect and remedy smaller issues that require attention before they become major concerns.
In addition to inspections and taking care of any necessary roof repairs, ensure that all maintenance is performed as suggested by the materials manufacturer. Make certain that leaves and other vegetative material that can rot and degrade your system are removed from your roof and that your gutters function properly. Trim back branches so they do not rub or scrape. If mold or mildew are present, have your roof washed.
Learn the Warning Signs
Damage that requires extensive repairs by roof companies does not usually happen overnight. It often starts gradually as a smaller problem and escalates when not promptly addressed. Even if your roof got a clean bill of health during its last inspection, always watch for signs of damage that must be addressed.
Look for missing shingles and those that are loose, buckled, and no longer lay flat, along with other signs of damage to the exterior of your roof. Blistering is another sign of problems, so check your roof with binoculars.
Pay Attention to the Attic
In addition to monitoring the top of your roof, pay close attention to what is happening on the underside as well. Periodically check your attic for signs of old water damage, damp or wet insulation, wood decay on the trusses, or moisture on the underside of the decking. Roof services know these signs usually mean that you have active leaks that require immediate roof repair or there is not enough ventilation and condensation is forming.
Ongoing ventilation problems can be a source of tremendous damage to your home. Hot, moist air promotes the growth of mold. Expert roof companies stress that this can affect your indoor air quality. Condensation can cause wood rot that slowly eats away at your roof's support structure. Overheated attics also cause ice damming, along with loose and lifted shingles in the winter and shingle blistering in the summer.
In addition to scheduling regular inspections, maintaining your building top, and taking care of roof repairs as soon as they happen, roof services want to remind you that no installation lasts forever. If you are diligent and take care of the concerns mentioned above, you can prolong the life of your roof; however, the time will eventually come when you need a new one.
If you notice any of the above-referenced problems or if the roof company you hire to perform maintenance tasks finds age-related symptoms like dryness and cracking, a new roof is your best choice to keep your home well protected against the elements!