What Every Homeowner Should Know About Roof Maintenance

Knowing the basics about your roof, like the design, the type, and the installation and how to maintain all this properly can save you thousands in the costly repairs. A building with a poor roof design from the beginning doesn’t stand a chance of lasting very long. You wouldn’t install a tile roof in the northeast because of the snow load that can collapse the whole structure and you wouldn’t install a shake shingle roof in the south with the sun and rain to warp the wood. Find out what type of roof is best suited for the area that you live in.

The design of any roof should include ventilation under the eaves and at the peak to allow the heat in the attic to escape. This, along with good insulation helps keep your home cool during the hot summer months and in cold climates, the vents help prevent ice build up on the roof. Keeping the air circulating in the attic also prevents mold. Protecting your home should start at the top with a good quality roof that is properly installed.

Being a diligent homeowner by checking your roof for leaks before they become major problems is your best defense against costly roof repairs. Look at your roof from the attic on a sunny day if you can see pin points of light anywhere that isn’t a vent you have a problem in the making. That pin hole can allow water to seep in and run down the trusses ruining the wood structure long before it gets big enough to drip on a ceiling where you would normally notice it. Checking your roof from the outside often can help you spot things like loose and missing shingles, tree branches rubbing on the roof, loose gutters, and worn and cracked shingles, boots, and flashing. Knowing the basics about your roof and how to spot problem areas are a homeowners best kept secret to avoid costly repairs.