Roof maintenance is something that few people remember. They often neglect the importance of the roof over their head and forget that it’s just as susceptible to wear and tear as the rest of their home. However, the roof is arguably one of the more important parts of your home because it is quite literally right over your head. It keeps the weather out, keeps your home warm, and prevents intruders (of both the human and animal type) out of your house. If you want to ensure that you are safe from the elements as well as uninvited guests, then you’d be wise to check your roof.
The key to preventing many problems such as leaks, structural damage, or mold growth is to stop them where they begin. This means you need to identify problems before they spiral out of control and if you haven’t inspected your roof for a long time then who knows what could be up there. If your home has been through storms, snowfall, or even just heavy winds, then there’s a chance that your roof could be damaged, showing age or even harboring various insects and animals. If you don’t want these problems to grow out of control, then here are a couple more reasons to check your roof.
Preventing the need for roof replacements
Many experts say that if you don’t maintain your roof and take proper care of it, it will last for roughly half of its average life expectancy. This means you’re going to eventually pay for a complete replacement of your roof sooner than you’d expect. If you haven’t asked roofing contractors to inspect your roof for a long time, then it may already be too late and a replacement is in order. It’s suggested that you inspect your roof at least twice a year as soon as summer and winter begin, or between periods of adverse weather so that the inspection isn’t interrupted and, if there are problems, they can be fixed with relative ease.
Complications of an unchecked roof
If leaks and cracks have started to form on your roof, then you shouldn’t be surprised to see leaks in your ceiling or along the walls of your home. This can ultimately lead to cracks in your walls, weakened structural integrity, and damage to your attic. If you don’t have an attic, the leak will directly affect the structure of your home and start to weaken the walls and supports. If you notice that there are large bubbles or cracks in your paint or wallpaper, then it’s a sign of a major leak and it has to be fixed as soon as possible.
Interior leaks also lead to mold and mildew issues. Toxic mold growth is rare but depending on what the water interacts with on its way to leaking through your house, it’s possible that the mold could be hazardous to your family’s health. The mold itself can cause several different issues, and the major problem with mold is that it can easily spread due to the spores and it’s very hard to completely remove.