The question of how often your roof should be maintained is quite interesting.
First, the rate at which your roof needs to be maintained largely depends on the
type of roof you have on your home. Some roofs are known for how durable they
are while others are more susceptible to weather damages.
Second, it isn’t a maintenance schedule that is as important as an inspection
schedule. You see, to know if your roof needs maintenance, you have to inspect
it. So, to answer this question, we have to take a look at both the inspection
schedule and the maintenance schedule.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Roof?
To make sure you know when your roof needs some maintenance work on time,
you should inspect fairly regularly – about twice a year. This will help you spot any
damage in time before it becomes worse.
The only exception to this is a new roof. Unless there is accidental damage, it
would probably take around five years before an inspection becomes necessary
when you first install a new roof. Now that we know how often to inspect your
roof, are there optimal periods to do this?
When To Inspect Your Roof
Instead of just picking random days to inspect your roof, there are widely
recommended seasons of the year when inspecting your roof is most effective.
These seasons are:
Fall
Fall is one of the best times to inspect your roof. This is just after the sunny
summer. Usually, the sun would have had a field day (or a couple of months) on
your roof. Sun is one of the weather elements that take a toll on your roof.
But more importantly, this season is the one that comes before the extreme
winters. Inspecting your roof now helps you fix any maintenance issue before the
winter hits. The last thing you want is a weak roof breaking down in the middle of
a bad winter.
Spring
The other season to inspect your roof is right after the winter. Naturally, your roof
would have taken some beating through those cold, stormy winter nights. There
are snow and precipitation. The extreme weather conditions of the winter is
tough on the roof and may have caused some damages.
By inspecting your roof in the spring, you can fix these damages and prepare your
roof for the sunny summer.
Storm
The only variable here is a bad storm. Sometimes, a bad storm may sweep
through the neighborhood, even if this isn’t in the middle of winter. Regardless
of the season, any time there is any bad storm, it is advisable to inspect your roof.
Assessing the state of your roof can help you notice any damage before it gets
worse.
Who Should Inspect Your Roof?
There are two general approaches to roof inspection. You may go the DIY route,
where you conduct the inspection by yourself. You may also choose to hire a
professional. So, the question is, which route should you follow?
DIY
This approach may work for you if you are cool with heights. You can’t just stand
on the ground with a pair of binoculars and stare at your roof. You still have to
climb a ladder and get at the very least at the height of your roof. For a more
comprehensive check, you may need to climb the roof.
Professional
Needless to say, there are simply warning signs that you may miss, which would
have been apparent to a trained pair of eyes. When working with a professional
there is absolutely no risk to you. Also, inspections are so affordable, anyway. So,
the time is better spent on your own business.
Also, you are assured that a person with the right skills and expertise is there to
thoroughly assess the state of your roof. You also know that they have the right
equipment to make deliver an efficient and effective result while staying away
from hazards.
Both
There is another approach you may have ignored. Even if you are going DIY, it is
still advisable to work with a professional. It is totally fine to do your own
scanning. Take note of the signs you notice and call in a professional. A
professional would then come in for a mini-inspection schedule as well as a
maintenance schedule. This is where the other signs you may have missed in the
past start to materialize.
What To Look Out For During Inspection
So, what are the signs to look out for when doing an inspection? There are quite a
number of them. And while some signs like a deep crack may be obvious
immediately, some are not so recognizable. So, let us take a quick look at some of
these signs.
Roof Leaks
One of the most common problems you may pick up, even from the comfort of
the house is a leaky roof. Now, this may be caused by a number of things – a crack
in the roof, a crack in the sealant, or others. You may need a professional to
examine the cause of this leak. Also, even if you can’t see a leak in the house, that
doesn’t mean there isn’t one on the roof.
Broken Or Missing Tiles
If you know no other sign, you surely know this. This is because a broken or
missing tiles are quite evident. Now, this may be a result of old age. It may also
be caused by water, wind, or storm. Whatever the cause might be, it is enough
concern to call in the pro.
Damaged Gutters
Whether loose, cracked, or rusted, the deterioration of the health of your gutters
is usually a tell-tale sign of something wrong with your roof. It is a chicken and egg
situation, really.
For example, the cracked gutter may leak on the roof, leading to water damage and
further problem on the roof. In this case, the gutter damaged the roof. On the
other hand, you may start noticing quite a bit of your tiles in your gutter, clogging
the holes. In this case, the gutter might need a replacement. Gutter Replacement is very importnat.
Sagging Roof
If you notice your roof sagging, you should call a professional immediately. For a
roof to deliver its job perfectly, the structure must be solid at all times. If your
roof loses its rigidity, this is a sign of worse damages in the roof structure.
Neglecting this obvious sign may lead to a collapse of the whole structure.
Damaged Chimney And Flashing
Damage to your chimney needs immediate fixing. If you notice that your
chimney cap is damaged or missing or the chimney mortar is crumbling, it is time
to fix it. Your flashing also requires a thorough inspection. They are the roof pieces
that surround your chimney. Any crack or rust needs immediate attention.
Why You Should Act Immediately
Maintaining your roof isn’t a matter of luxury. It is a matter of necessity. If you
notice any of the signs listed above, you need to act immediately to prevent
further damages. While a leak might cause some inconveniences, leaving it
unfixed to lead to worse water damages that may weaken your building.
Like we discussed earlier, the roof structure may collapse. The rusting of metals
and rotting of woods can put great stress on your home. What’s more, this may
reduce the value of your property. It is always better to fix the issue sooner than
later.
How Much Does A Roof Maintenance Cost?
The good thing about inspecting your roof regularly is that you get to detect red
flags before they become too serious. While the cost of maintaining your roof
would depend on the amount of work going into it, your roof pitch, the size of
your roof, and other factors, the cost is generally affordable.
You may expect to spend around $200 for a good roof cleaning. As for repair, it
would usually cost you less than $500, and it usually is significantly lower. As you
can see, this cost of maintenance is nothing compared to the cost of a full roof
replacement. So, make the right choice. Make that call today.