A poorly constructed roof could cost you several hundred dollars a year, if not more. To avoid incurring these extra expenses, make sure you get a roof thoroughly inspected before you purchase a home. If you’ve already signed a mortgage and have been living in your house for several months or a few years, don’t wait until your house starts leaking, demanding a roof repair before you check the top of your house.
It doesn’t take a major storm, like Super Storm Sandy, to cause significant damage to the top of your home, requiring you to contact a roof repair contractor or company. In fact, mild, but frequent snowfalls and consistent rain (not caused by a hurricane) can damage a roof. The January 9, 2013 Fox “Avoiding Major Repairs as Snow Melts, Rain Falls” article shares that melting snow, combined with impending rainfall, can damage house and large business building roofs. To avoid the damage, as noted in the article, you can take a “gentle roof rake or broom to brush off as much snow as possible from the shingles.” The article continues, “If left on the roof for too long, the snow can melt during the day, allowing water to slide underneath shingles, and then refreeze overnight. That causes the water to expand and damage the shingles.”
During cold weather, you can also take steps to avoid a roof repair by installing sufficient insulation in your attic. This helps snow and ice to melt slowly enough to avoid damaging your roof. Of course, sufficient insulation also helps lower your utility bills.
Take the steps to prepare your roof for winter, summer and extreme weather caused by storms, and you can save money. However, despite your preparations there are times when your house might need a roof repair. For example, normal wear and tear over several years can damage shingles, cause a roof to leak or cause breakages that allow cold air to seep inside your home through the roof.
Signs that your roof might need repair include:
- Interior ceiling spots
- Missing shingles
- Damaged chimney flashing
- Blistering shingles
- Curled shingles
- Granules missing from shingles
- Rotting, in patches or large circles, on your roof
- Algae growing on your shingles
Should the day come when your house needs a roof repair, find out the type of shingles repair workers use. For example, to prevent heat or cold air from seeping into your house, some companies use an ice and water shield, architectural shingles, felt paper and/or starter shingles. As previously mentioned, if you don’t already have adequate insulation, especially in your attic, consider partnering with a roof repair company to get your home properly insulated as well.
As a tip, you could also save money by working with a roofing company that offers free roof inspections and consultation services. Get your gutters checked as well, especially if your roof has been leaking following rainfalls and/or if puddles have been forming at the corners or edges of your house after it has rained.