What Homeowners Need To Know
Congratulations! You’ve spent years planning and saving, months looking at homes on the market, and finally, you are a new homeowner. Now that you own a home, you are responsible for the care and maintenance of every part of your new investment. However, there are many elements of home maintenance that new homeowners don’t think about, and in many cases, the roof is one of them.
What New Homeowners Need To Know
When it comes to the roof of your home, there are several things that new homeowners need to be aware of, and multiple steps they can take to help their roof last as long as possible. You don’t have to be a roofing expert to care for a roof well, in fact there are several DIY steps you can take to help prevent leaks and water damage, and ultimately prolong the life of your roof.
Understand that your roof isn’t going to last forever
One of the most important things to know about your new roof is that it won’t last forever. Understanding that your roof will eventually show wear and tear and need routine maintenance puts you in the mindset that you need to get in the habit of regular roof maintenance to keep it in great shape.
The average shingle roof can last anywhere between 15 and 50 years, depending on the quality of the installation and materials, and the way it has been maintained. When you purchased the home, you should have asked the previous owners about the age of the roof, any repairs or issues that the roof has had, and if there is a valid warranty for the roof. This information should be helpful as you plan for repairs and maintenance going forward.
Keep Your Roof Clean
To maintain your roof and prevent damage, it is important to keep leaves, branches, twigs and other debris cleared off of the roof. If leaves and debris start to pile up after a storm, or over time, it’s important to make sure that the roof is cleaned off, whether the homeowner does the work themselves or hires a professional.
It is also important to make sure your roof stays clear of algae and moss. Both moss and algae are fast-growing plants that take root in damp places and spread quickly. If either takes root on a roof, it will quickly spread throughout the roof causing shingles to lift and opening up the roof to water damage.
Learn about DIY maintenance tasks
For new homeowners, DIY home and roof maintenance may be a new area. However, it is important for homeowners to learn routine roof maintenance tasks, including gutter maintenance. It’s a small time investment that will potentially save you time and money later on. Tasks like checking for shingle damage or routinely cleaning your gutters can help you identify damage and catch potential issues before they require extensive repairs.
Roof Inspections
Because the roof is often not visible from the ground, it is easy to forget about maintaining it. However, one of the biggest ways you can maintain your roof is to carry out routine inspections. A roof inspection reveals areas of damage that are not visible from the ground, such as:
- Cracking
- Damaged or curled shingles
- Loose or missing shingles
- Damage around vent pipes
- Missing granules
- Moss or algae
- Damage around chimneys or skylights
- Signs of leaking or water damage
It is also a good idea to check your roof after severe storms, as high winds and falling debris can cause damage, and make existing damage worse. If climbing on top of your roof to check it out isn’t something you’re comfortable with, it is wise to schedule a professional roof inspection. Even if you are routinely inspecting the roof yourself, it is still a good idea to get a professional inspection periodically, to make sure that no damage is present and nothing needs attention.
Schedule any repairs in a timely manner
As soon as you notice damage on your roof, it is a good idea to call a professional roofing company to inspect the roof and conduct the necessary repairs. It is important to schedule repairs as soon as possible, because the sooner damage is caught and repaired, the less extensive (and expensive) the repairs will be. It is important to call a professional, because DIY roofing repair attempts can often cause more damage than good if the homeowner doesn’t have roofing experience.
Cenvar Roofing
If you’re looking for a professional roofing company to inspect your roof and take care of repairs, Cenvar Roofing is a great solution. Cenvar Roofing contractors are committed to leaving each customer with a roof that meets the high standard of excellence that our company holds. We are proud of all our work, and prioritize customer satisfaction at all costs.
If you have questions and would like to schedule a further conversation with a member of our sales team, we would be happy to discuss your options with you. Fill out the free estimate request form and someone will be in contact soon.
