Roof Inspection and Maintenance
If you want your roof to live up to its full potential and last as long as it possibly can, it's important to make roof inspection and maintenance ongoing priorities. There are big differences in the costs of roof inspection, repairs, and replacement. Roof replacement can be hugely expensive, and you'll save money in the long term with timely roof inspection or repair.
Regular Roof Inspection is Key
With roofing, small problems can quickly snowball into big catastrophes if they are not promptly addressed. Regular roof inspections provide with the insights needed to make smart decisions regarding the health of your property's roof. There are many factors that can conspire to cause damage to a roof. If you live in an area that gets lots of rain or snow, the roof will be at a high risk for leaks. Extreme heat can cause certain types of roof shingles to blister. Roofing can also be compromised by overhanging tree branches and pests such as rodents and ants.
If you plan on selling your home at some point in the future, consistent roof inspections become even more essential. A property's value is closely tied to the health of its roof. Prospective buyers will hire roofing contractors to closely evaluate the soundness of a roof, with the intention of avoiding properties that are in need of repair. You can get ahead of this by using regular roof inspections to monitor its well-being. If you take care of problems as they arise, the roof will be in pristine shape when the time comes to put your property on the market. This will help bolster the selling price..
Many homeowners choose the do-it-yourself approach to roof inspection. If going this route, it's important to establish a roof inspection checklist. which should be tied to the materials used to construct the roof. For example, if the roof has asphalt shingles, be on the lookout for missing shingles or shingles that are blistered or curled. With metal roofing, it's important to keep an eye out for rust. Other items to watch out for might include cracked caulk, algae stains, standing water, and moss and lichen growth.
Commercial and residential roof inspection[ differ in certain key ways, and if you have a commercial property, hiring a professional to manage roof inspections is essential. Commercial roofing is larger and more complex than residential roofing. It also houses vital components such as air flow systems, and these systems can intersect with the roof in complicated ways. It often takes a trained eye to identify problems with commercial roofing, and a skilled roofing contractor will be able to easily evaluate the situation.
As the height of a roof can make certain types hard to access, a roof inspection company might use drones or infrared technology to simplify the inspection process. The cost of hiring a professional to conduct roof inspection will depend on variables such as the size of the property and the method of inspection used.
Roof Maintenance Tips
In addition to regular roof inspections, there are certain things that can preserve the health of your roof.
Regularly clear branches, leaves, and other debris. Branches and leaves that have accumulated on a roof can cause damage by puncturing the roof and creating leaks. This kind of debris also attracts moisture, and this can promote algae growth on your roof. Use a broom to sweep away leaves, branches, and other debris if you've noticed their presence.
Trim overhanging tree branches. If a tree branch makes constant contact with your roof, it can eventually cause wear and damage. High wind or rain might also cause the branch to fall onto the roof and create a puncture that could trigger a leak.
Clear accumulated snow. If a thick layer of snow gathers on a roof, it could place a great deal of stress on the underlying structure, and it might even cause the roof to eventually collapse. If snow has accumulated on the roof, use a roof rake, which can be purchased at a hardware store for $35- $110 to clear it away. You can also hire a company to tackle the task of roof raking, and these companies typically charge $100-$300 for their services.