Every homeowner knows that maintenance and care for a home are necessary. But, how many can say that they practice regular care for their whole home? This can be tough to answer as there are many factors to consider when talking about home maintenance, so let’s narrow it down.
It’s easy to maintain your home’s interior because you can do so easily. It’s easy to remember and spot any issues that need taking care of. But, it’s also easy to neglect the parts that you don’t always see, such as the roof, and it’s a crucial part of any building. It protects you from all kinds of weather conditions, and it’s an expensive investment!
Unfortunately, the roof bears the brunt of all kinds of weather and can be prone to damage if not maintained. However, because of its positioning, taking care of the roof can go right over our heads.
Still, it would help you remember to check and care for your roof if you knew why it’s necessary. Some reasons are apparent, while others will need further understanding. So, here are the reasons you should start taking care of your roof.
1. Avoid annoying complications
Lack of maintenance and care can lead to all kinds of damage to your roof from leaks, molds, and water damage. This can make your home uncomfortable to live in and even unhealthy. It can even make your home look unpleasant on the outside and inside.
2. Extend your roof’s lifespan
Roofs can last for about 15 to 50 years. Your roof’s lifespan can depend on all kinds of factors such as materials, workmanship, location, and so on. If you’re not sure about the lifespan of your roof, check resources like this helpful site to find out.
If your roof tends to get banged up and exposed to a lot of harsh elements, then you can expect the lifespan to decrease. But, poor maintenance can speed it up significantly as well because wear and tear can progressively worsen if left unchecked.
3. Save your money
No matter how durable you think your roof materials are, they’ll be damaged if you don’t take care of them. Roof repairs and full replacements can cost you a lot of money. Here are some of the cost estimates for various issues.
For DIY repairs:
- Free for clogged gutters
- $10-$20 for cracked vent booting
- $20 for cracked flashing
- $30 for missing or broken shingles
- $25-$80 for skylight leaks
- $10-$120 for roof leaks
- $50-$120 for ice dams
For professional repairs:
- $10-$15 for gutter and downspout repairs
- $10-25/In. Ft for damaged fascia boards and soffits repairs
- $35-$50 for downspout repairs
- Additional $50 for additional stories
- $60/square for underlayment installments
- $170-$300 for broken flashing repairs
- $215-$350 for water-stained ceiling repairs
- $300-$550 for skylight leak repairs
- $350-$1,500 for roof leaks
- $200-$300 for shingles and pipe flashing replacements
- $300-$450 for skylight flashing and shingle replacements and ice and water shield installation
- $450-$700 for work around the chimney and lead counter-flashing replacement
- $500-$1500 for the full renovation of a roof valley
- $800-$100 for roof sealant application
- $45-$75 per hour for each laborer
There are also price packages, depending on the contractor or company. Nonetheless, roof repairs can set you back substantially if you let your roof deteriorate for too long. Regularly maintaining your roof can help you incur so much damage and expenses.
4. Prevent damage early on
Maintaining the roof requires taking a closer look. This way, you can identify any cracks or even clogged gutters. Some of these issues can cause leaks if left unchecked. The earlier you identify these minor issues, the easier it is to repair them. You can avoid them from getting worse in the future.
5. Feel confident about your roof
As mentioned, the roof over your head protects you and the rest of your home. It also helps regulate temperature to keep everyone comfortable inside. During extreme weather conditions, roofs need to be in the right and dependable condition.
If you regularly maintain your roof, you can sleep well at night knowing that your roof can handle gusts of wind or heavy rainfall. On the other hand, people who don’t see to their roof’s upkeep might feel the need to rush repairs before a storm or the winter season. Some might even have to deal with the effects during changing seasons and inclement weather.
6. It looks good
As mentioned above, not maintaining your roof can be unsightly on the outside and inside your home. Sagging, missing shingles, clogged gutters, and discoloration can make your home look like an abandoned ghost house. Inside, stained ceilings, leaks, and the smell of mold can permeate throughout the home. Washington dc gutter cleaner experts advise you to check your gutters at least a couple times a year to prevent them from clogging. Ensuring that your roof is well-maintained keeps you from the hassle of dealing with further damage that can make your home look awful. Roof repairs won’t take a long time compared with the overall home renovation you have to deal with after the damage is done.
7. Curb appeal
Maintaining your roof can even increase your property’s value. A home that looks cared for is probably more structurally sound than those with roofs that look like they haven’t been cleaned for over a year. Realtors know just by looking at the roof if you can get a good price for the home.
8. Identify any serious issues
There are all kinds of roof problems you can’t ignore. However, some issues aren’t obvious, and a thorough inspection of your roof from the outside and inside would be necessary. Doing this regularly is essential, especially if the damage has become extensive yet unseen. For instance, water damage to the interior of your roof due to ice can be hard to spot and trace. You’ll need an expert eye to help you out.
9. Environmentally friendly
The more roof repairs and replacements you have to do, the more waste is produced. A lot of roofing shingles, flashings, and rubber gaskets end up in the landfill. If each homeowner took proper care of their roof, the waste produced from roofing could be reduced significantly!
10. Warranty is limited
You might be thinking that you don’t need to care for your roof because the warranty will take care of it. However, most warranties are limited and don’t cover every damage and situation. Other roofing companies make it a point to inspect whether the damage was caused by lack of maintenance.
Conclusion
To put things plain and simple, roof maintenance should be done regularly by all homeowners. It can save you money, increase your property’s value, help the environment, and make you feel safe and reassured.
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