Your roof is one of the most important components of your home. It’s what protects you from the elements, keeps your family safe and comfortable, and helps maintain the value of your property. Yet, for all its importance, roofs are often neglected by homeowners. Part of the problem is that roofs are out of sight and out of mind. We don’t think about them until there’s a problem. But by then, it might be too late. Roofs require regular maintenance just like any other aspect of your home. If you don’t do it, you’ll end up with expensive repairs – or a new roof altogether. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of regular roof maintenance, and how to protect your investment!
Here’s what happens if you don’t maintain your roof
Shingles will get damaged
Shingles are an essential element of any roof. They play a vital role in protecting your home from the elements. Unfortunately, shingles can be easily damaged by wind, hail, and other severe weather conditions. Once shingles are damaged, they can no longer provide adequate protection for your roof. In addition, damaged shingles can also lead to leaks and other structural problems. As a result, it is important to inspect your roof regularly for signs of damage. If you notice any missing or damaged shingles, it is important to have them replaced as soon as possible in order to protect your home.
Moss and algae will grow on the roof
These are two of the most common types of vegetation that will grow on a roof. Moss is not as destructive as algae. However, it can still cause problems by trapping moisture and promoting the growth of mold and mildew. Algae, on the other hand, can actually eat away at the asphalt shingles, causing them to deteriorate prematurely. In addition, both moss and algae can make your roof look unsightly.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent moss and algae from taking over your roof. First, make sure that your gutters are clean and free of debris. This will help to ensure that water is properly draining off of your roof. Second, trim back any tree branches that are hanging over your roof. These branches can provide a dark, moist environment that is perfect for moss and algae to thrive. Finally, consider treating your roof with a commercial moss and algae inhibitor. This will create an inhospitable environment for moss and algae, making it less likely for them to take hold.
Your ceiling will start to leak
You were lying in bed, just about to drift off to sleep when you heard it. A drip. A single, solitary drip of water hit the floor. You ignored it at first, telling yourself it was just a one-off. But then it happened again. And again. With a sinking feeling, you realized your ceiling was leaking.
That’s not good news. A leaky ceiling is not only a nuisance, but it can also cause serious damage to your home. Water can cause structural damage, destroy paint and wallpaper, and promote the growth of mold and mildew. If you have a leak in your ceiling, it’s important to take action quickly to minimize the harm caused. First, try to identify the source of the leak and then patch up the hole or crack using a waterproof sealant. If the leak is widespread or severe, you may need to call in a professional to carry out repairs. In the meantime, put a bucket or bowl under the drip to catch the water and prevent any further damage.
Leaking ceilings are never fun, but with quick action, you can minimize the damage caused and get your home back to tip-top condition in no time.
You’ll get exposed roof areas
Maintaining your roof is important for many reasons. One of the most important is that it helps to prevent exposed roof areas. When shingles are damaged or missing, it can leave your roof vulnerable to the elements. Water can seep in through gaps and cracks, causing rot and mold to form. In addition, strong winds can cause further damage, leading to even more exposed areas. If left unchecked, this can eventually result in your roof collapsing. This is why it is so important to regularly inspect your roof and make repairs as needed. By taking care of your roof, you can help avoid expensive repairs and keep your home safe and dry.
Natural damage will worsen over time
The truth is, most people don’t pay a lot of attention to their roofs. They don’t notice when it starts to leak or that there are shingles missing. They don’t realize that the gutters aren’t catching rainwater anymore and causing damage to the foundation. This can lead to bigger problems down the road if left unchecked.
Here are some examples of what can go wrong:
Sun damage
As the sun heats up your roof, it causes the shingles to expand and contract over time. This will cause them to break away from the wood underneath them (known as “thermal shock”). This will eventually cause leaks around your vents and chimneys which may lead to mold growth inside your home or even structural damage like cracked walls.
Wind damage
High winds can rip off tiles or blow away entire sections of lost shingles—both leaving gaping holes in your roof’s protective barrier against weather extremes such as ice dams or hail storms. Even regular wind gusts have been known to cause leaks when they blow against exposed areas where nails have rusted out over time due to lack of maintenance such as flashing around windows/doors.
Allowing repairs to go unaddressed for too long can cause additional problems
Repairing a roof on your own can be a daunting task, but if you are not able to do so, you will put yourself at risk of having to pay for the cost of replacing your entire roof. If you let the damage go unaddressed for too long, it may spread beyond what can be repaired by yourself or with the help of a friend. This means that in addition to paying for repairs now, you might also have to pay more money later as well.
By maintaining your roof on a regular basis, you can increase its lifespan and make your home safe
If you want to increase the lifespan of your roof and make your home safe, maintenance is key. You should inspect and repair any damage as soon as possible. In many cases, that means hiring a professional.
If you choose to do it yourself, there may be more risks involved compared to hiring someone else who has the appropriate training necessary for such tasks.
The cost of hiring a professional is pricier than doing it yourself, but the lifespan of your roof will definitely last longer which will, in turn, save you more money.
We know of some clients that tried to fix their roofs themselves and it led to their roofs having multiple damages. The damage and rot spread like wildfire because the temporary fixes were not enough to keep the rain out. It even damaged their ceilings and their interior. They ended up calling us to fix it for them but they were too damaged to be repaired. They had to have most of the parts replaced.
How to find a reputable roofer to help with the maintenance
Maintaining your roof is just as important as choosing a company that will do it for you. It’s never a good idea to do these things yourself unless you’re a licensed roofer. If you’re in the market for a new roof or for your existing roof’s maintenance, it can be tempting to choose the first company that comes along. However, this might not be your best option. If you want to avoid hiring a contractor who will damage your home or fail to complete the job correctly or on time, it’s worth putting in some extra effort upfront. Here are six steps to finding and vetting reputable roofing experts.
1. Do your research
- Check with the Better Business Bureau. You can go online and search for their website. You can then type the company’s name to see if they are registered or if there are any complaints against them.
- Check with the contractor’s local Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber can help you determine whether the roofer is reputable or not, and they’ll have a list of members who are active in their community. They also offer information about what makes a company trustworthy so that you can better compare contractors and make an informed decision about hiring one.
- Check with the contractor’s state licensing board. In many states, if someone calls themselves a contractor without being licensed by the state, it’s illegal—and could get them into big trouble if caught! If your potential roofer isn’t licensed, avoid using them at all costs.
2. Don’t ignore reviews
Another great way to find a good contractor is by checking out their reviews. Reviews are basically everywhere online, and they’re often helpful when you’re looking for something that other people have already used. If you’re on the fence about whether or not a certain contractor is worth your time, checking out their reviews can help you make up your mind.
However, it’s important to remember that customers can write bad reviews for any number of reasons—and this doesn’t necessarily mean that the contractor isn’t good at what they do. So how do you know if those negative reviews are worth taking seriously? You’ll want to look closely at both positive and negative comments and try to figure out what the common themes were in both cases. For example: if someone writes “I hired this company because they had great ratings on Angie’s List,” then there’s no guarantee that he/she actually received excellent service from them.
3. Ask potential contractors for references
You will want to ask potential contractors for references, as they can be helpful in revealing the quality of their work. In particular, you should ask them for at least four references from previous clients and/or other contractors who have worked with them. You can also gain valuable information by asking your friends and family members if they know any local roofers to recommend.
If you suspect that a contractor may be hiding something—or worse, intentionally trying to deceive you—you should still ask him or her directly about previous job experiences when talking on the phone prior to scheduling an appointment. Again, keep in mind that it’s important that your initial conversation with any contractor feels comfortable; if someone is evasive or vague about what he’s done before (or even outright lies), this should give you pause about hiring him. If possible, try speaking with some of his employees via phone or email if there are no available references from past clients; this way you can get a sense of how much experience they have worked under the guidance of their boss.
4. Don’t pay the entire cost upfront
Get an estimate before you pay. You should never have to shell out the entire cost of a service or product before it is finished. That’s especially true when it comes to roof repairs. You should receive a detailed breakdown of what will be done, how much each part will cost, and when you’ll need to pay for it. If your contractor doesn’t provide this information upfront or wants payment before the job is completed, find another contractor who does business differently—and make sure they’re reputable as well.
5. Be wary of contractors who solicit door-to-door
Know what to look for. If a contractor approaches you at your door, ask for their business card and contact information. If they maintain a website, check their references online. Be wary of contractors who don’t have any of this information readily available—they may not be licensed or have any experience in the field.
6. Ask about labor warranties
Many contractors will offer a labor warranty for their services. This is a guarantee that they’ll stand behind the work they’ve done and fix any problems free of charge within the year. However, if a contractor’s work doesn’t come up to snuff, you may need to file a formal complaint in order to have them do what needs doing (if you haven’t already). If your roofer does not offer this protection, it’s probably best to keep looking for someone who does.
Call Moore Construction Co.
Maintaining your roof is very important for the many reasons we mentioned in this blog. That is why it’s important to have an expert roof contractor maintain it for you. This is not a simple project that you could wing yourself, so do the steps we mentioned above to find one that could help you make your roof last very long. You can find a reputable roofing contractor by doing your research, asking for references, and not paying the full cost upfront. You also need to be wary of contractors who solicit door-to-door or offer too many promises without any guarantees.
Moore Construction Co. is your one-stop shop for all of your roofing needs. We can help you with everything from repairs to new installations, and we’ll always make sure that your roof is in good shape.
Our services extend throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area so feel free to give us a call today.
