What good is a roof when it won’t protect your home against the weather and other natural elements? This is where routine inspections are vital to keeping it in good condition. There may be times when you’ll need to spend for minor repairs and home renovations, but this is often necessary to prevent further damage to your roof. This is much better compared to delaying the repairs as you’re only delaying what’s needed. By the time you finally come around to fixing it, it will be more costly than you think.
By addressing the minor damages as soon as they’re spotted, you’re preventing them from becoming bigger problems down the road. You’ll only need to spend a little now instead of paying for more costly repairs later on in your roof’s lifespan. Doing this will also help you save more money in the long run.
A roof won’t serve its purpose effectively if it isn’t regularly inspected and maintained. To understand how it can also save you money, continue reading.
What Are the Benefits?
Of course, regular maintenance is required if your roof is warranted. Most roofing warranties are meant to cover most or part of the expenses for more extreme damage, such as that from a recent storm. However, this can only be valid if your roof has been inspected and maintained once in a while. This is to ensure that your roof was maintained properly before the damage caused by natural causes. If you don’t repair even the minor damage on your roof during routine maintenance and inspections, you’ll risk voiding your warranty.
Another benefit you get from regular roof inspections is that it keeps your home more energy-efficient. Normally, a well-built roof effectively reflects the sun’s heat and keeps your home naturally cool and comfortable. This also reduces your dependency on your HVAC system and results in lower utility bills. But this can only be sustained if it’s been checked periodically by a trusted roofing contractor to keep it in its best condition.
Depending on the type of roofing material you have installed, it will usually last around 20 years at most. Proper maintenance ensures that your roof stays intact throughout its expected lifespan. That means preventing early deterioration of your shingles and other roofing materials, so you won’t need to spend much on repairs. This will save you more money in the long term and ensures your roof lasts as long as it’s guaranteed.
Apart from saving more money, you’ll also keep your valuables safe and intact. Your indoor air quality also stays clean and safe to breathe. If your roof isn’t maintained properly by a professional in roofing and home renovations, damage, such as water leaks, can get into the inner structure and rot the wooden components. Not only will this compromise your roofing system, but also cause mold and mildew to grow and damage your belongings.
Delaying your roof inspection will only mean more repair costs later on, and the mold growth will have already infiltrated your home’s ventilation system. To avoid mold from affecting your indoor air quality, get your roof inspected regularly!
What Happens During a Roof Inspection?
With a professional inspection, every aspect of your roof will be checked for signs of damage. Any problem spotted will be addressed to prevent further damage. This usually includes each component, such as the following:
- Shingles – The contractors will usually check the shingles first for any signs of damage. This includes curling, cracked, loose and missing shingles on your roof. They’ll do a thorough inspection and see if there are any raised nail heads on your shingles, which indicates they’ve been lifted by high winds. They’ll also look for signs of weather damage like hail and make sure to repair the damage properly. Any loose or missing shingles will be replaced so that your roof stays intact.
- Flashing – This is another important component of your roofing system that’s found around chimneys, vents and where two slopes of the roof meet. They’re meant to divert the water runoff away from the roof and prevent leaks. However, the flashing can sometimes get dislodged or bent by hail or other weather conditions over time. Your hired roofer will make sure to check the damaged flashing on your roof and repair it accordingly.
- Gutters – Your gutters will also be inspected closely for damage, such as cracks, holes and any sign of wear and tear. Affected gutters will be repaired to keep the system intact and will also be cleared of debris that may otherwise cause clogging and sagging. A sagging gutter system prevents water from draining properly as it will pool in your gutters, and the gutters will become too strained and heavy. If left unaddressed, the attachments will come loose and cause more damage to the rest of your gutters. If any minor damage is found in your gutters, it needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
- Attic – This is the best place to check the inner structure of your roof. Your roofing contractor will examine the inner layers more closely and see if there’s any evidence of mold, rot and sagging. A sagging roof can collapse if it isn’t repaired properly while rot can compromise the plywood sunroof, rafters and other wooden components of your roofing system.
When Should You Schedule Roof Inspections?
Timing is important when scheduling a roof inspection. Roof inspections are rarely done during the summer months unless they’re needed because of the hot weather while the cold temperatures during winter can affect any repairs made in a roofing system. It’s also riskier to go on your roof due to the ice and snow that’s accumulated on the surface. This is why it’s recommended that you have your roof inspected at least twice a year, once during spring and another during fall.
But if your roof has recently sustained damage from a storm, then it’s important to get it inspected as soon as the weather becomes favorable. And, as an expert roofing contractor in the area, Ben’s Construction Inc always gets the job done right! Call us today at (508) 962-2417, or fill out our convenient online contact form.