6 Things Homeowners Should Know About Their Roofs

#1 – Your Roofing System Has Many Parts

When most people look at their roof, they might be able to identify 3-4 specific parts of the roof by name. And though it can seem like a roof is simple, it is actually a very complex system designed with the most important job of protecting your home. 

A few of the important elements of your roof are the roofing deck which supports the weight of the overall structure, and the insulator barrier, which protects against weather conditions. Additionally, flashing and drip edges are both put in place to protect the underlying roofing components and critical areas of the roof structure from water damage. If any of these components are damaged, your roof and your home are at risk!

#2 – Assessing Your Exterior Roof Every Month Could Prevent Expensive Repairs

By knowing how to assess your roof for damage, you might be able to spot an issue before it becomes threatening to your roof’s foundation! There are several things you can do to assess your roof: 1) Do a walk-through inside and outside of your home to take note of anything different or out of place. 2) Check for extra debris, especially around the gutters. 3) Inspect for damage to your shingles. Of course, there are many more steps that you can take to assess your home, but these are a great starting point.

#3 – How Paying Extra Attention To Your Gutters Can Impact The Longevity Of Your Roof

When gutters become clogged beyond repair, you might find yourself in a situation that requires expensive repairs to not only your gutters but to your roof and other parts of your home. That’s why keeping them cleared out and free of debris is so important. When you don’t take care of your gutters on a regular basis, you risk compromising the integrity of your roof and even your home. Your gutters are meant to catch excess water from regular to severe weather conditions, but when they are clogged, that water has nowhere else to go, so it could push back up onto your roof structure and through the seams of your home. After that, the issues begin unfolding with roof leaks, staining to the exterior of your home, potential mold/mildew, pest infestations, foundation problems and more. Essentially, when you take care of your gutters routinely, you are increasing the longevity of your roof.

#4 – Roof Leaks Aren’t Always Visible

Everybody expects a roof leak to be obvious, but the truth is, sometimes roof leaks aren’t visible at all. Unfortunately, by the time a roof leak is visible inside your home, the likelihood that there is extensive damage to the roof, drywall, and other interior parts of the structure of your home, is high. Leaks can be hard to detect, so there are a few things that you can be on the lookout for. If you smell mildew in your home or even see water stains that look to be leaking downward on your walls, this could be a sign that your roof has a leak. If when assessing the exterior roof you see that you have any shingles missing, repairing those as soon as possible should be a priority to avoid further damage to your room or any potential damage to your home.

#5 – Roofing DIY Can Put Your Home At Risk

We understand that doing all types of DIY projects around the house can not only save money but give homeowners a sense of pride; however, roofing should not be on the list of things to do yourself. Roofing is very intricate, and it is important that you do it correctly. With your roof being your home’s number one defense against extensive weather-related damage, this is something you want to get done the right way. There are specific structural standards and codes that are in place so that your roof can function properly, and unless you’ve been properly trained, sticking to a hired roofing professional is the best way to ensure that you and your family are protected. 

#6 – Professional Inspections Are Encouraged

If you aren’t sure what condition your roof is in, or if it needs a repair, contact one of our roofing professionals. When it comes to your roof, you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Reach out to our team today, we are here to answer questions and help guide you in the best direction for your home!