When we think about owning a home, we often refer to it as putting a roof over our heads. As homeowners, though, the priority should actually become keeping that roof in good shape.
The benefits of preventing common roof damage include a home that’s protected from the elements, safe, and energy efficient.
However, if we end up delaying repairs or ignoring signs of damage? That can lead to the need for a full residential roof replacement costing thousands of dollars.
To avoid that outlay, it’s important to keep an eye on your roof and to understand where common roof damage can begin. By keeping roof repair services front of mind, you can minimize roof damage and keep your home’s roof in good shape for longer.
Today, we’re highlighting five of the issues that, if ignored, can snowball into costly, time-intensive repairs.
And as always, if you have experienced any type of roof damage, contact US Home Supplements. We'll discuss how we can get the cost of your repairs supplemented.
We’ve all seen home repair shows and DIY YouTube channels. These videos, along with the potential for cost-savings, can lead to the temptation for a do-it-yourself roof repair.
Unfortunately, a poorly installed or repaired roof can lead turn a minor fix into major damage.
We’ve compiled some of the possible risks of seeking roof repair services from non-professionals (and yes, we've seen all of these):
The hammering rain of a thunderstorm sends most homeowners to their roofs once the weather clears. A lesser-known, though equally concerning weather for your roof’s health? Wind.
Though wind storms may lack some of the more obvious impacts of thunderstorms, they are still powerful. The force of the winds - and the objects flying through the air - can cause quite a bit of damage your roof.
When safe to do so after a wind storm, it is a good practice to check your roof.
Some of the common roof damage problems from wind include:
Hail can be one of the trickier elements as it can cause roof damage without our even realizing it. The reason many homeowners don’t think about a roof inspection after a hail storm is simply because they may not even notice that it hailed.
From being mixed in with other elements like snow and rain to roofs that are several floors away from living spaces, the sound of hail isn’t always obvious.
Yet the repeated impact of hail can cause real damage, so it’s worth being proactive. Best practices would include checking for hail damage after your home experiences a major storm.
These are the common signs of hail damage for residential roofs:
It can be hard to admit that one of the most common roof damage causes is actually us. Are you checking regularly for leaks, roof damage, or peeling shingles? If so, how often are you looking?
The tricky part of dealing with roof repairs is that it seems like we’ll know when it’s time for roof repairs. Maybe we’ll see a leak, maybe we’ll see a fallen shingle on the yard, or maybe a particularly strong storm will have just passed through.
The problem with that perspective is that it’s reactive and only responds to urgent problems. A better, more cost-effective strategy would be to have an annual roof inspection.
Instead of waiting for leaks, a roofing professional can help you to identify weak spots before they become problematic. If you’d like to do it yourself, familiarize yourself with the different parts of your roof. That includes what the peeling shingles look like, the type of adhesive, and the thickness of your shingles, so you can note when there are changes.
Those differences in appearances will help you to be proactive about your roof and avoid costly roof repair services.
The roof over your family’s head is built to last for years. Unfortunately, poor treatment, including when you walk on it and how you work on it, can lead to the roof being compromised.
If, for example, you’ve recently experienced extreme weather or extreme heat, it may not be the best time to head straight to the roof. The extra stress and weight can ultimately damage the granules on the shingles. Similarly, if you are not able to recognize weak spots on your roof, like the shingles or their supports, walking on them can cause further damage.
On the seasonal side, hanging holiday directions can cause you to be up and down repeatedly in the same sections of your roof. To avoid making any problems worse, consider a roof inspection. You can even make a note about how you’ll use your roof to make sure there are no weak spots where the decorations will be hung.
Though there are a number of common roof damage culprits, there is a common way to help keep your roof in great shape. By having regular roof inspections, a professional can help you to catch small problems before they escalate. What’s more, by spending some time to learn more about your own roof, you can also use the time between visits to assess your roof’s health by yourself.
If it’s been more than a year since your last roof inspection, or you are ready to start taking better care of your roof, schedule a residential roof inspection. It’s a small price to pay now for peace of mind and long-term savings.