roof under a clear blue sky

The Importance of Regular Roof Maintenance

Checking the condition of your roof probably doesn’t cross your mind every day. However, rooftops are among the most critical structural elements of any home since they shield your home from the elements your home is exposed to continuously. Considering this, it is a shame most homeowners start paying attention to the state of their roof only when it starts to leak or gets damaged in other ways. For this reason, you must acknowledge the importance of regular roof maintenance early on so that you can curtail any unfortunate damages that might cost a lot of money to fix. 

Why do I have to have regular roof maintenance?

In most cases, issues with your roof arise due to two things – an aged roof or neglect. Either way, contractors and real estate experts recommend including regular roof upkeep as a necessary part of standard home checkups and care.

As we have mentioned earlier, postponing a roof assessment for years on end can result in severe structural damage. Therefore, it would be optimal to schedule a professional roof checkup every two years.

an old roof with roof tiles out of place

Neglecting your roof can be dangerous and expensive.

You should not attempt to fix or inspect your roof on your own

 

The main reason behind having your roof checked and repaired so frequently is the fact that it is generally complicated and dangerous to inspect your roof on your own. Consequently, you might be utterly oblivious to the fact that the roof structures are deteriorating without you having the first idea that this is going on.

Since it is challenging and risky to reach all parts of the roof to have a close look at your roof shingles, the best way to determine if there is something wrong is to call in professionals to take a look at your roof for you.

Let’s take a look at other benefits that are associated with regular roof maintenance.

Roof maintenance locates problems early

The fact is, nobody likes unpleasant surprises. You will probably not be pleased to find out that you need to spend a lot of money on large-scale roof repairs or a roof replacement. For example, you could have a small crack in your roof that lets through rain only occasionally, like during thunderstorms or blizzards. It is easy to neglect such damage for years since placing a bucket beneath the leak quickly solves the problem when it occurs.

 a heavy rain sliding down a roof

Rain can enter through roof tiles and wreak havoc in your living space.

However, this crack is very likely to spread gradually when the roof tiles start to erode more and more with time. This kind of neglect is potentially making way for large-scale damage such as rotting or other structural problems that could, unfortunately, ruin your entire home if left in disrepair.

Although replacing your roof partially or entirely is not as impossible of a task as it might sound, it is certainly best if you avoid getting yourself into this costly, cumbersome, and time-consuming process. A good roof assessment can locate minor areas of deterioration that can then be fixed or replaced much more easily.

This way, you are one step ahead of a potential disaster that could take a lot of your time and money.

Servicing your roof regularly extends the roof’s lifespan.

For simplicity’s sake, let’s compare your roof to a car. You have to take your vehicle to regular checkups to keep it running properly for many years. By doing this, you extend the lifespan of parts of your car and, thus, the car itself. We can apply this analogy to show that you need to maintain your roof as if it were a car – regularly and appropriately. This way, you do everything in your power to keep your roof in good condition for as long as possible.

close up shot of gray roof shingles

Your roof cannot last forever, but you can extend its lifespan with regular roof maintenance.

Of course, as nothing lasts forever, it is perfectly normal for roof tiles to break and rot. Eventually, you will probably have to replace your roof, but regular upkeep allows you to extend the life of the roof that you currently have. For instance, simple, regular maintenance such as cleaning your gutters goes a long way when it comes to your roof’s lifespan.

If you need to replace parts of your roof or your entire roof, you will have to find a solution for all your belongings in the house. You must be aware that storage is absolutely necessary for some tasks. In most cases, your possessions have to be removed until the workers finish the repairs. Accordingly, it is best to store your things in a safe and secure storage unit the construction work is in place.

Roof maintenance saves your money

Not surprisingly, regular checkups of your roof condition are a financially sound investment. Simply, it is much more frugal to invest in small-scale, minor repairs than spend a fortune on the entire roofing structure. Hence, be sure to think ahead and fix any incurring issues you notice in good time. In sum, several smaller routine repairs cost significantly less than a major fixing process, which, in the long run, saves you a lot of money.

Regular roof upkeep will keep you calm

What is even more important than saving money is saving your peace of mind. Once you get into the habit of checking and repairing your roof regularly, you will be able to relax, knowing your family home is safe from unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, strong winds, thunderstorms, vermin, etc. 

We hope you have found this short article on the importance of regular roof maintenance helpful and informative. All in all, try to keep your roof secure with regular maintenance work, and nothing can go wrong.

 

Matthew Schwimmer is a freelance content creator focusing on various topics, ranging from construction through interior design to real estate and relocation advice. He loves sharing his experience gathered through working in the home service and the moving industry. Since an early age, Matthew has been passionate about home improvement, thanks to his father, Paul, a handyman. He loves reading and expanding his knowledge to produce articles that would be helpful and informative to readers. He enjoys an occasional DIY project in his free time, follows sports, and cheers for his home state team, The Patriots.