The Importance of Regular Roof Maintenance
It’s no secret that roofs take a beating – whether it be the blistering sun, high winds or pounding rin and hail, the roof of your home is constantly exposed to the elements. It is this exposure that, over time, can lead to wear and tear, and eventually roof damage.
Your roof protects your home – it is the first line of defence against roof leaks, and flying debris. This is why it is so important to have regular roof maintenance undertaken by a roofing professional. Having your roof inspected and cleaned on a regular basis, and any repairs made, can extend the life of your roof and avoid bigger costs later on.
We’ve put together five of the biggest reasons why regular roof maintenance is important.
Extends the Life of Your Roof
Generally the roof of a home or business will last some time – a tile roof can be expected to last 40-50 years, while a metal roof may last even longer. But that’s only if you maintain it regularly. Maintenance doesn’t take a long time – an hour or so every few months to check and clean the gutters (or five minutes on the phone to have someone booked to clean them for you) and then regularly running your eye over your roof to make sure there are no loose, missing or cracked tiles.
This small amount of time can result in your roof lasting much longer, saving you money.
Maintaining Your Roof Keeps Your Family Safe
No one likes to feel water dripping on their head in the middle of the night, or walk into a mouldy home at the end of the day. The roof of your home protects your family from the weather and other elements. Storms, falling tree branches or even cracks in your roof tiles can cause issues – and mould is a big health risk that comes with an unmaintained roof.
Regular roof maintenance can prevent a build up of moisture in your home which can minimise the risk of mould growth.
Ensures the Stability of Your Home
So we know that maintaining your roof will keep your family safe, but did you know that a well maintained roof can keep your house safe as well? Maintaining your roof can keep the structure and foundations of your home safe. Water damage can eventually erode away at beams and walls which can be an expensive fix – and potentially dangerous, particularly because you cannot see these areas easily.
Improves Energy Efficency
Did you know that a roof that is maintained regularly can also help improve the energy efficiency of your home? A clean roof will reflect more heat than a dirty one, which means your air conditioning won’t have to work as hard (and your energy bills will be lower as a result). You won’t need to have your roof cleaned yearly, but it may certainly be worth having done every 3 – 4 years.
Saves You Money
Maintaining your roof regularly can help save you money in the long run. The cost of maintenance and small repairs is a lot less than the cost of big repairs or replacing your roof, and it’s all about picking up the issues early.
For example, if you notice your gutters are overflowing in a storm, having them cleaned out is a great idea – left in there, the water can flow back into your home, leaving you with water damaged walls. Similarly, if you notice a leak mark on your ceiling, having your roof checked for cracked or broken tiles is essential before that leak turns into something potentially more damaging.
Roof repairs only get seriously expensive when those small things have been left for too long. Preventative care pays off when it comes to your roof, so if you’re looking to save money and keep your home in tip-top shape, be sure to schedule regular roof maintenance with a trusted professional. Your roof will thank you for it!