How Often Should You Get Your Roof Inspected?
A roof inspection is essential for protecting your family and maintaining your exterior property. During the appointment, your contractor might make repairs and prevent future damage by giving you some roofing tips. It’s best to get your roof checked by a professional twice a year — once in the spring and once in the fall — to make sure it can withstand the humidity in the summer and snow in the winter. You may need to inspect your roof more frequently if:- You live in harsh weather conditions: If your area had a major storm with high winds or flying debris recently, you should contact your local roofing contractor to check it. They’ll look for broken shingles or roof tiles, gaps in the roof membrane, damaged flashings, leaks and loose ridge vents.
- Your roof is old: When you sign up for roof preventative maintenance services, your contractor will consider your roof’s age. Since older roofs tend to get damaged during weather damage more often, you should get yours checked at least once a season.
- You live near trees: Even though trees provide shade and lower cooling costs in the summer, they can also damage your roof. Fallen tree branches can hit your roof and rip away shingles. You should have your roof inspected more often if you live in a woodsy area.
How Can You Make Your Roof Last Longer?
You can make your roof last longer by cleaning it and checking it for damage. Debris can accumulate on your roof and ruin its integrity. Here are some tips for how to protect your roof:- Remove leaves from the shingles: Overhanging trees could dump leaves on your roof and leave it vulnerable to mold and mildew growth. Instead of using a power washer that can damage your shingles, get rid of the leaves with a leaf blower. You can use the leaves to mulch your lawn so they don’t blow onto your roof again.
- Get rid of moss: Patches of green on your roof can shorten its lifespan, especially if you have asphalt or wood shingles. A layer of moss could lift the shingles, allowing water to pass through and rotting the wood underneath. You could scrub the roof on your own, or you can ask the contractor to remove moss during your appointment.
- Clean the gutters: Debris caught in your roof’s irrigation system could prevent the flow of water off your roof and cause puddles. As a result, your roof may develop mold and mildew. During a professional roof inspection, the contractor can clean the gutters for you. In between visits, you can clean the downspout with a hose or by hand if the debris is large enough.
- Trim overhanging branches: Tree branches that hang over your house can allow wildlife access. During a storm, the branches can also snap and damage your roof. Cut the branches into small sections to remove them easily. A professional roofing company will also help you manage the trees near your roof to prevent harm.
How Much Does Shingle Roof Maintenance Cost?
A roof maintenance appointment with a local contractor often includes cleaning and repairing your roof. Even though working with a professional will cost you money, having someone else do the work far outweighs the price. Aside from getting on a roof and dealing with heights, they also have the equipment to fix your roof. A roofing contractor will also dispose of materials for you, so you won’t have to clean up any mess either.
Several factors determine the price to maintain your roof:
- Location: If you live in an area with a lot of trees or harsh weather conditions, you’ll probably have to pay more to maintain your roof. You would have to trim trees and invest in a leaf blower to keep your roof clean. The price of roofing materials in some areas is also higher.
- What needs repairing: The contractor inspects your roof and all its components for gaps or cracks. Unclogging your gutters and other preventative measures could be included with the price, but you may have to pay for replacement parts. Repairing a fractured vent booting tends to be the most affordable, and repairing damage from ice dams is the most costly.
- Shingle material: Your roof’s shingles are metal, asphalt, composite, wood, tile or slate. If you need to have your shingles replaced, you’ll have to pay for the cost of the shingles plus labor. In general, composite wood shingles tend to be the least expensive, and metal tends to be the most.
- Other parts of the house: Besides your roof, you might need to replace or repair other components on top of your property. If you only need to fix your garage roof, you’ll pay less because you’re covering less square footage. You may also need new soffits and fascia or gutters.
Why Is Roof Maintenance Important?
It’s necessary to know how to maintain your roof because it protects your interior living space from outside weather conditions. Here are some reasons why you should take care of your roof:- Avoid costly repairs: By making regular maintenance appointments with your local roofing contractor, you can save money on potentially damaging costs. If you wait too long to make repairs, you could pay more if they turn into emergency issues.
- Extend the lifespan of your roof: Regularly maintaining and checking your roof will help keep it in good condition for many years. Your roof will last a few decades, but you can make it last as long as possible by cleaning and repairing its weakest parts.
- Prevent interior leaks: Small problems with your roof can quickly become significant if you don’t deal with them immediately. If you have any gaps in your roof, water can get inside your home over time and damage your interior walls. Make a habit of spending time working on your roof to prevent further damage in the future.
- Enhance curb appeal: Missing shingles and broken gutters could make your house look old and abandoned. To enhance your living space’s visual appeal, consider replacing or repairing the damaged components of your roof.
- Reduce your stress: Fixing your roof allows you to have peace of mind that your family and property will be safe. Completely renovating your roof ensures that everything is in working order and will last for several decades before you have to think about it again.
Request a Free Estimate From US Roofing
Whether you need maintenance or a brand-new roof, you can count on US Roofing to provide the services that’ll enhance your curb appeal and keep your family safe. We offer roofing services in the following Georgia towns and cities:- Grovetown
- Augusta
- Lexington
- Columbia
- Evans
- Martinez
- Pooler
- Tybee Island
- Port Wentworth
- Georgetown