Home ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities and learning to take good care of your property. As a new homeowner, your roof is one of the areas that you’ll have to focus on when it comes to home maintenance. Simply because your new home passed inspection during the sales process doesn’t mean that your roof will not need any further attention.
It’s vital to have your roof regularly inspected and maintained to ensure peak performance. Below are critical things that every new homeowner should know about their roof.
Your Roof Won’t Last Forever
While quality-built homes will last generations, your average roof cannot. Careful roof maintenance is necessary to ensure maximum durability. Depending on the roof type, you may need replacements or serious repairs every 15-20 years. A well-maintained roof should last you many years and meet the required safety standards and building codes.
When moving into a new home, don’t forget to ask important details like the type of roof used, the age of the roof, and any recent repairs or replacements it may have undergone. That’s important because it gives you an idea of the general condition of your roof.
Different Roofing Problems
Your roof comprises more than just the shingles or tiles. It consists of many other parts that have to function and work together to maintain its effectiveness in protecting you against weather elements. As a new homeowner, it’s important to know the different problems your roof might experience that could lead to costly repairs, foundation damage and possible replacements.
Common problems include:
Shingles/Tiles
Missing, cracked or curled shingles or tiles are perhaps the biggest roofing problem. Such problems are easily identified through regular roof inspections and should be repaired immediately to avoid serious damage down the road.
Gutters
Debris buildup and cracks on gutters are common problems. These can easily cause water blockage and retention, causing water to seep under the shingles and eventually damaging your roof. Regular cleanup of debris and dirt that accumulates on the gutters and repairs to fix small cracks will go a long way into ensuring your gutters are in good condition.
Soffits
Soffits are the material connecting the roof overhang and your house siding. Common problems experienced include cracks, sub-standard installations, and damage. Your soffits should be inspected for any of these problems so as to avoid leaks. Continued leaks can lead to rotting of roofing beams and mold buildup.
Flashings
Leaks on roof flashings are also a common problem. While their main role is to offer extra protection to key areas of your roofing system like the valleys and peaks, improper installation or lack of maintenance may lead to serious leaks.
Leaks Are Not Always Obvious Holes
If you expect to identify leaks by looking for holes in your roof, you may be wrong. Roof leaks don’t always give such obvious signs of damage. In most cases, rainwater will seep through a missing nail, a cracked shingle or a damaged gutter and eventually soak into your insulation or ceiling.
Potential signs of roof leaks include bubbling paint on your ceiling, mold in your attic, wall discoloration, curling shingles and algae growth. It’s important to look out for these small signs so as to avoid severe water damage on your new home and roof. Don’t hesitate to call a roofing contractor when you suspect a leak.
Every Roof Needs Regular Maintenance
Enroll for a roof maintenance program. Even if you have just moved into a new home with a new roof, enrolling for a maintenance program is essential. Maintenance and inspections help identify leaks or damages and fix them to avoid bigger and costly problems later on. Most roofing experts will charge you a reasonable fee every year and schedule annual or bi-annual roof inspections.
Roofing Emergencies
Do you know what to do in case of a bad roof leak during a storm? Most new homeowners are not aware of the emergency steps they should take in such scenarios. An experienced contractor will educate you on how and where to look for trouble in your roof and what to do in emergency cases. While solutions used during storm damage like patches and sealants may not be long-term, they give you enough time before your roofing contractor comes and repairs the damage.
Work With a Reputable Contractor
Whether you want an inspection for your roof, repairs, maintenance services or new roof installation, it’s important to work with professional roofing contractors. They should be certified, licensed and provide service guarantees for their work. Their expertise will also help you know your options when it comes to selecting the right roofing material, proper roof ventilation, pricing and regular maintenance programs.
Understanding how to take good care of your roof and what to do when you identify problems ensures that your roof stays in great shape for many years to come.
Author Bio:
Carolyn Clarke s a professional roofing expert offering services in Los Angeles, CA. She works with one of the premier roofing contractors in the area. With almost ten years of experience in the industry, she has helped numerous homeowners make the right decisions when it comes to roof installations, repairs and maintenance programs. She also offers consultations on energy efficient roofing materials and solutions.
