You want a safe home. You want a warm home. And of course, you want an energy-efficient home. Do you know what can help you achieve all of these goals? Your roof. That's right, if you call up a roofer and tell them about your desires, they can recommend some roofing repairs or materials to help you achieve those desires. They may recommend a metal roof, or they might recommend adding zinc strips to the roof peak. It all depends. One thing we can promise, though, is that learning more about roofing is a good idea. This blog is a good resource, but we recommend looking for other ones, too.
Get The Best Out Of Your Roof Maintenance Plan
Regular roof maintenance is the best way to preserve your roof's structural integrity and energy efficiency. A maintenance plan ensures that your roof gets the maintenance it deserves at the correct time. Below are tips to get the most out of your roof's maintenance plan.
Get a Baseline Inspection
Get an initial inspection to understand the roof's current condition. This baseline inspection is especially necessary if you want to buy a home, have just moved into your home, or have previously not taken good care of the roof.
Here are things to expect with the baseline inspection:
- Inspecting the deck's condition, especially regarding rot or water damage
- Checking the roofing material's condition; for example, the wear on the asphalt shingles granules
- Confirming the drainage's condition, such as the gutters' pitch and fastening
- Checking the roof penetrations' conditions and the condition of the flashing materials around them
Such checks allow the roofing contractor to identify parts that require immediate attention and plan a good maintenance schedule.
Work With a Professional
Work with a roofing contractor to get a good maintenance plan. You might space the maintenance schedules too far apart and risk roof damage or too close together and spend more money than you should if you don't involve a professional. Remember, the roofing contractor will use the knowledge, skills, and experience you lack.
For example, roofing contractors know that different roofs require different maintenance. They know they should check for shingle granules in gutters for asphalt shingle roofs, pay close attention to drainage of flat roofs, and give aging roofs more frequent attention than new roofs.
Keep Records
Keep maintenance records once you create the plan and start working on it. Record the dates, tasks, contractor's advice, and roof condition. For example, you should note if the contractor warns that some flashing is about to loosen or if the roof has telltale signs of algae growth.
The maintenance will help you plan and budget for the necessary intervention. The maintenance can also help track common roof problems. For example, if a problem always shows up at every inspection point, then it probably signals an underlying issue that requires further diagnosis. Lastly, the records may also help if you switch roofing contractors.
Incorporate DIY Maintenance
Lastly, don't rely on professional maintenance alone. Inspect the roof periodically if you can do it safely. You should also inspect the roof after major storms to spot damages that require intervention before the next maintenance date. During the DIY inspection. notify your roofing contractor if you notice suspicious signs, such as too much debris in the gutters.
Contact a local roofer to learn more.