Most people never really look at their roof. When they drive into the driveway, they notice the lawn, shrubs and maybe some kid’s toys that need to be picked up. But the top of the house is an important part of the house and plays a very big part. Once in a while, after a big rain, some moisture will drip and the ceiling gets wet. That is a little harder to overlook, but many times people let it go anyway. At least for a while, because eventually it will have to be fixed.
Now is as good a time as ever to start checking things out. All coverings on homes need a good maintenance check every few years, but the homeowner can do their own in between times. Look up and notice if there are any missing shingles. Often they get blown off during a big wind storm or others just come loose and fall. Are there any trees or wires that are hitting? This can be very dangerous and needs to be taken care of immediately. Can streaks be seen where water has been running off? Note anything else unusual and if anything is found, call a professional to take a look. Even if the covering is new, it can have problems which need to be addressed before they cause damage.
Roofs are made to last at least fifteen years. Some will last longer, but often during those years they will need some maintenance. Call a professional to come and check it out. It is like a dental check up. Most of time there will be no repairs needed and it is just a maintenance check. This is often free and a good repairman will inspect the whole thing by climbing up to the top and spending time walking around. They are specialists and know what to look for.
After the maintenance check, the roofer will provide a list of needed repairs. Many times, there will be none. All this is done as a precautionary step. When he is looking at the roof, he will often inspect the gutters. Sometimes they can be full of leaves and debris and cause water to build up. Ask him to include this as part of the maintenance check. This is something the owner can also be aware of and clean themselves. Make sure all gutters are clear and make a needed repair before permanent damage occurs.
It is possible to have mold and algae grow on the roof. The northern part is more likely to have this problem or any other area that is in the shade much of the day. It is easy to spot and will look like dark streaks or spots. Part of the yearly maintenance might be to have the roof professionally cleaned. If mold, algae or fungus are left to grow, it will cause damage. No one wants to get to that point because then it will be very expensive to repair.
Anyone who is thinking about selling their home will want to make sure everything is in good repair. After the house has an accepted offer on it, most people will have an home inspection. The inspector will come out and thoroughly look throughout the whole home. He will only note the condition of the roof. He will often suggest that it needs some maintenance and add that a professional should check out it out. He does not climb on top nor will he make any predictions.
A professional roofer will be able to give an estimate of how many more years the material on the top of the house will be able to provide the proper coverage. He will spend time inspecting the total area and give a written report on the condition. He will note if a repair is needed and will give advice on how to handle any problems.
Maintenance is always important and in the long run, it will save the homeowner money. It is a good idea to take care of things while they are small. When buying a home, always haveprofessional inspections and it will save lots of headaches in the future. It is the prudent thing to do and there will never be a need for a bucket to catch water from a leak. Check it out today.