Roof Maintenance
March 7, 2016
If you’re like most people, you assume your roof is in good working order. There are no apparent leaks and the roof looks nice from the street. As far as you know or could be expected to know, nothing is wrong with the roof. However, the early stages of a potential problem don’t present with visible signs, which is why regular roof inspections and maintenance are important. You want to catch any issues before they become a larger problem which requires more extensive repairs to the water damage caused.
The specifics of what your roof needs as regular maintenance depends on the actual roofing type used for your home. The most typical roofing is asphalt shingles because of their durability and ease of both installation and maintenance. Metal roofing is another viable option due to its environmentally friendly properties of being recyclable and in some cases, being made of recycled materials. Cedar shakes can also be a durable roof with great beauty, but require more routine maintenance than asphalt or metal.
Roofs are designed to accommodate storms, but over time require maintenance to keep the integrity of the initial design. Missing shingles need to be replaced, cedar shingles need to be sealed, and all roofs need reapplication of sealant around chimneys and exhaust pipes. If you conduct regular maintenance you can trust your roof to hold up under the storms typical of your area. After an exceptionally extreme storm, you may need to have additional maintenance done to assure your roof is ready for the next one.
There is no such thing as an immovable object and everything on this Earth has a breaking point. The weight of snow accumulation puts an undue stress on both the outer components and the internal structural build of your roof. The problem becomes worse with a partial melt which reforms as ice, blocking the proper drainage your roof was intended to provide. Snow and ice removal needs to be addressed to maintain the proper function of your roof.
It’s important to conduct formal inspections and routine maintenance on your roof so you can catch problems before they become problems. The last thing you want to do is wait until water is dripping directly onto your living room floor to begin repairs, as at that point repairs are going to involve a lot more work than simply fixing the roof when it is only slightly compromised.
