Is roof maintenance something you consider for your periodic house maintenance check?
Damage to your roof has severe consequences. While it might be tempting to relax and forget about it, you’ll need to establish routine checkups on your roof to make sure its status and condition will withstand the test of time. The last thing you’d want is for your roof’s shingles to buckle under pressure, setting you back thousands of dollars.
If a storm has passed by your area recently, there’s a big chance that a shingle or two might have been disrupted and loosened up. In those cases, you should check your insurance policy regarding storm damage to make sure that you have full coverage for any roof-related problem that may arise.
Let’s look at the importance of why you need to inspect your roofs, as well as immediate signs that you should not prolong roof inspection any longer.
What’s the importance of routine roof inspection?
Aside from the most obvious reason—protection against harsh weather—keeping your roof in pristine shape also has some notable upsides.
Curb Appeal
For starters, a decently trimmed roof improves the curb appeal of your home. A worn-down roof that’s had a couple of bouts with storm and time will experience wear and tear, which can look unappealing to future prospects. So if you want your home to look great, get your roof inspected and improve your roof accordingly with its problem areas.
Net Value
Similarly, a good roof will also increase your house’s net value in the market. Buyers seeing a dilapidated and dirty roof will be less inclined to push through with the deal compared to if the roof is clean and spotless. Since this is the case, it’s important to maintain your roof even at the last legs of your stay in that house if you plan to relocate or resettle elsewhere. If you need repairs for a leaking roof, Vertec Roofing is a professional company to fix any issues.
Your Health
Believe it or not, the health of your roof can also affect your own physical health. A leaky roof or rooting, wet wood can introduce foreign contaminants and mould within your home—which can start ravaging you and your family’s health in as short as one to two days. Symptoms could range from memory loss, rashes, and other health problems.
Sign #1: There’s Moisture in the Attic
Even if your roof looks sturdy from the outside, don’t disregard the possibility of moisture seeping through the cracks. You’ll never really know your roof’s condition unless you peer at the room it’ll affect first: the attic. If there’s moisture in the attic, it’s a sure sign you’re in need of leaking roof repairs.
A common theme to most people, the attic is rarely ever ventured. Once you enter it, notice whether the room has a humid and damp atmosphere surrounding it. Is the odour foul and unpleasant? If the room feels noticeably damp, inspect the walls and flooring to see if you can spot signs of water or liquid dripping where it shouldn’t.
If there’s none, check the overhead ceiling of the attic itself to see if there are any pressure points or things that look like it would give way to moisture. Usually, you can pick vulnerable areas apart by spotting wood a darker shade than normal, or any signs of damp and wet-to-the-touch residue.
Sign #2: Your Gutters Aren’t Draining Water Properly
The gutter’s purpose is to divert water away from filling up places in your roof where it shouldn’t be. If your gutter is undergoing severe malfunctioning, rainwater can penetrate and leak into your homes and flood virtually all your rooms from top to bottom.
If you suspect that your gutter is in bad shape, get someone (or yourself) to look into it and inspect it ASAP. Signs of a bad gutter include visible cracks on the surface, signs of age and rust, and basement moisture. Aside from that, you can also feel the effects of a bad gutter when it’s clogged up by leaves or debris.
By having your gutters checked, you’ll prevent a potentially terrible situation with your roof collapsing or the sudden flow of water into your home.
Sign #3 Damage in the Shingles
Another clear sign of damage is when the roof shingles, or the rectangular shapes laid overlapping one another, have either loosened or fell off. These structural elements are vital to the upkeep of your roof for a couple of reasons:
- Shingles prevent your home from rain
- They provide extra protection against the sun
- They help resist wind
Your roof shingles aren’t there just for beautifying your roof with its distinct size and color. It also serves as a barrier to protect against the elements. Beneath the roof shingle lies roofing felt paper as your last line of defense. It protects against the natural elements and deterioration your roof may face.
In order to prevent your roof’s shingles from buckling over, there’s nothing else other than regularly cleaning your roof with a broom or power washer. Performing this cleanup routine every year would usually be enough to protect the longevity of your roof.
