Spring Is Here! Time to Assess the Condition of Your Roof
It’s time to assess the condition of your roof! In this article, you’ll learn about how to maintain your roof this spring.
Now that you’ve made it through the long, hard winter, addressing home repair issues that may have surfaced in the last several months is essential. At this time of year, it’s especially important to assess the condition of your roof and, if needed, to seek roof repair.
Importance of Maintaining Your Roof
A damaged roof can leak, leading to structural damage, mold and mildew damage, wood rot, and more. Once a roof starts leaking, it can be challenging to find the source of the leak. Water penetrating the roofing membrane may roll down until it finds a point of entry into your attic. Sometimes the source of the leak is far from the location where the leak manifests, which makes repairing a roof tricky. You can avoid a difficult-to-fix roof leak and potential damage to your home’s structure by maintaining your roof.
How Long Do Roofs Last?
Some roofing materials last longer than others. Asphalt shingles, one of the most common roofing materials in the U.S., typically last about 15 to 30 years. Metal roofs can last 70 years, while clay roofs can last 50.
The secret to ensuring a long service life for your roof is to perform regular maintenance. By keeping your gutters clean, removing debris from your roof at least once annually, and inspecting your roof regularly, you can keep your roof in good condition.
Steps to Assess Your Roof
You don’t have to hire roofers to inspect your roof. You can perform the inspection yourself if you can adequately see your roof from the ground around your house. Hire a roofer if you must get on your roof to perform the inspection.
- Walk around your home and look at your roof for problems such as missing, curling, or cracked shingles, cracked caulking, and deteriorating flashing.
- Check your gutters for asphalt granules (if your roof is asphalt shingles). It is expected to find a few granules here and there, but if your gutters are full of granules, it is likely time to replace some shingles. Check for granules at the base of your downspouts as well.
- Step back from your home and look at your roof line. If the roof line is sagging in the middle or uneven on one side, this is a sign of a serious problem.
- Go into your attic to look for signs of a roof leak. Wet, stained wood is a clear indication of a problem. If the wood appears stained but not wet, this could be from an old roof leak.
Found a Problem? Meet with Roofers
If the inspection of your roof generates cause for concern, meet with roofers as soon as possible. The summer is a busy time for roofers, and the best contractors tend to book early. To address your problem as quickly as possible, make appointments with roofers as soon as you realize your roof needs attention.
Need a New Roof? Follow These Tips
Choosing a contractor to repair or replace your roof is a big deal. The contractor you choose will impact the quality of the work.
- Meet with multiple roofers before selecting the one to do the work.
- Check their credentials, including insurance, bond, licensure, and experience.
- Check references to ensure homeowners who hired the roofer you’re considering had good experiences.
Brush Up Your Homeowners Insurance
Some roof damage – like damage from wind or a lightning strike – may be covered by homeowners insurance. Keep up your policy to protect your home. Call your agent today.