Your Roof Serves Many Essential Functions
A well-installed roof that’s made of quality components is designed and built to last for several decades. You may not think about your roof a whole lot, but whether you realize it or not, your roof plays several important roles as it stands in silent duty over your building. Not only does it shield your home or business from the elements, but it also plays important roles in maintaining your building’s overall structural integrity and helping to determine its level of energy efficiency.
Because Your Roof Is So Important, You Need It to Last
We’ve established that roofs are important, but here are three more important facts about roofs that you also need to keep in mind:
- Even the best-made and best-laid roofs don’t last forever.
- Roofs ain’t cheap.
- The best way to preserve your roof and extend its service life is through regular inspection and maintenance!
What to Look for When Doing a Self-Check of Your Roof
Many don’t give their roof a second thought until a problem arises, but that’s really not the best way to take care of your investment. Unless you’re totally fine with having to replace your roof prematurely, experts recommend that you should perform a self-check at least twice a year, particularly if you have a shingle roof. Here are some things to look for:
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Damaged or Missing Shingles
If you can catch things like missing, damaged, warped, or loose shingles early enough, you may be able to address the issue with simple roof repair, rather than having to undergo a full roof replacement.
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Exposed Nails
If you have pop-up roofing nails, or nails that are simply exposed or loose, these can eventually lead to leaks, which can then also result in greater damage.
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Look Beyond the Shingles, Too
Don’t just look at the shingles (or other roofing material) and nails themselves. You’ll also want to pay attention to other aspects of your roofing system, as well. For example, any metal flashing that is missing, loose, or damaged will need to be replaced or resealed. Check the seal around your chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, and other roof features, too.
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Previous Roof Repairs
In the same way, if you’ve had any repairs done on your roof previously, it’s always a good idea to check those areas to make sure those repairs are still holding, and that their seal is still in place.
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Moss, Fungus, or Debris
If you notice any moss or fungus buildup, that can be an indicator of some underlying moisture issues below your roof’s surface. Any branches or debris that remain on your roof after a storm passes can also lead to premature roof wear if they aren’t removed in a timely fashion.
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Don’t Forget the Gutters
The people who tend not to think about their roof very much, tend also to think of their gutters even less. Don’t be one of those people! Clogged gutters can lead to standing water, which can eventually lead to roof rot and leaks. For your roof to be happy, your gutters also need to be happy.
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Seasonal Wear-and-Tear
It’s not a bad idea to take a quick look at your roof after each change of seasons, too. Some wear-and-tear is to be expected, but if your shingles have lost a lot of granules, that can result in a degraded level of performance. One particularly strategic time to check your roof is after all the frozen precipitation of winter is gone – melting snow and ice can really move quite a few shingle granules.
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Look Inside, Too
It’s always a good idea to check your attic, along with any areas that directly access your roof (vents, exhaust fans, etc.) for signs of leaks, too. Take a peek at your ceiling, too. If you see any water stains, that’s a pretty sure bet that there’s a roof issue that needs addressing.
Self-Checks Are Good, But Professional Roof Inspections & Maintenance Are Better
While self-checks of your roof really are a good idea, it’s possible that you could still miss something that wouldn’t escape the eye of a trained professional. Or, perhaps you’re someone who’s simply not confident in your ability to assess your own roof, much less in your ability to navigate a ladder to get up to said roof. Either way, it’s wise to schedule a professional to come out for a roof inspection every so often. Or better yet, you could partner with a roofing company that provides a routine roofing maintenance package.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and a small, ongoing investment in preventive roof inspection and maintenance can actually save you a lot of money in the long run. The cost of a professional roof repair here and there is much cheaper than having to pay the cost of a full roof replacement!
Why Skywalker Roofing Is Your Preferred Roofing Service Provider
Many roofing contractors will try and push you into getting an entire roof replacement, regardless of what issues your roof may actually be facing. It’s better to partner with an honest, reputable, local roofing provider who can help you to weigh all your options – including roof repair services, when feasible.
Skywalker Roofing works with all popular roofing materials, including shingles, metal, slate, wood shakes, composites, and flat roofing materials. And not only does Skywalker Roofing provide the best in roof installation and replacement services; we also offer comprehensive roof repair services too. Just give us a call at +1 (336) 627-5596 and let’s schedule a time for us to come out and do a FREE initial assessment of your roof. Once we’ve conducted a thorough inspection, we’ll sit down to share our findings, listen to you, answer questions, and then go over all of your available options for repair and/or replacement.
Skywalker Roofing is THE choice for residential and commercial roofing in the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Charlotte Metro, and Roanoke, VA areas. We’d be honored to have the opportunity to show you the Skywalker Roofing difference!