Save Money With Roof Maintenance

Storms and high winds aren’t the only things that can do
serious damage to a roof. A lot of damage isn’t readily visible, but can cause
thousands of dollars’ worth of damage over the years. Whole roof replacement
can range anywhere from $14,000 to $30,000, depending on the size of your roof,
so why not try a preventative maintenance program? Taking care of small
problems now is much more cost effective than large roof repairs. Roof
maintenance is best done in the fall and spring, or after a major weather
event.

What Can Damage a Roof?

UV rays and high temperatures can damage a roof as easily as
wind, hail, or storms. Heat can cause shingles to buckle or even crack, which
will compromise the lower layers of the roof. Flashing, or the metal strip that
goes around chimneys, skylights, or down the valleys of your roof, can crack or
erode over time, letting water in. Even small leaks from bad flashing will
cause significant damage in the long run. Moisture that gets to the underlayers
can turn into moss or algae, which will eat away at plywood and shingles. Ice
is another major problem for roofs because it can lift the shingle layer as it
forms, push gutters away from the house, and leak water onto the deck layer as
it melts.

What Happens During Maintenance?

Your roofing company will start with an initial inspection,
followed by any necessary cleaning or removal, then testing and
recommendations.

Inspection and Assessment

The first and most important task in any maintenance visit
is a thorough inspection of the roof. Your roofer will check all gutters and
downspouts to make sure water can flow away from the house. Fittings, flashing,
joints, and drains are also on the inspection checklist. The roofing company
will look at areas with caulking or other sealant to ensure it hasn’t cracked
or eroded. And finally, your roofer will make an assessment on the roof and
give you an estimate on the condition of the roof, and how many more years it
will last before you’ll need to replace it.

Cleaning and Removal

Dirt, tree limbs, pinecones, or other debris can work its
way under the shingle layer and cause eventual problems. This debris can also
clog up gutters, making it more difficult for rainwater to drain off the roof. A
regular maintenance inspection includes cleaning out gutters and getting debris
off the roof. If your roofing company finds any algae, moss, or mildew growth,
they’ll remove it and prevent further growth to make sure it can’t compromise
the under layers of the roof.

Testing and Efficiency

Damage to the shingles or deck layer can cause major
problems, but so can damage to the framework of your home. During routine
maintenance, your roofer will check the structural integrity of the whole
building. A roofer will also inspect each part of your roof, looking for saggy
spots or other anomalies that could indicate problems in the structure of the
roof. He or she will also make sure that the roof is vented properly so heat
can escape, which in turn can help keep your heating and cooling bills down. If
any issues pop up during the inspection, your roofer will work with you to make
a plan for repairs.

Benefits of Regular Roof Care

Aside from saving money, keeping your roof maintained can
increase the value of your home, prolong the life of the existing roof, and
save you money on other bills in your home. When a home is well-maintained,
with records to prove it, it’ll be much easier to sell it. Replacing an entire
roof is expensive, so making minor fixes along the way can increase the life of
your roof from anywhere from 30% to 100% of the typical roof life. Because
proper venting is part of most maintenance packages, you can improve your
home’s heating and cooling efficiency. When your home isn’t losing necessary
heat through the roof, you’ll save a lot of money on electricity costs.

Cost Comparison

As discussed previously, a whole roof replacement can cost
upwards of $14,000. Over the course of a year, that’s almost $1,200 per month.
Most preventative maintenance programs cost between $200 to $400 a month,
depending on your roofing contractor. A lot of roofing companies offer
maintenance contracts for both residential and commercial properties. Aside
from regular inspection and minor repair, your maintenance contract might even
give you discounts for repairs that fall outside of the contracted benefits.
You might even be able to lower your home insurance rates since a
well-maintained roof is less likely to have issues.

Give Us a Try!

Here at Universal Roofing Specialists, we understand the importance of
keeping your home or business dry and safe. We offer a large variety of
services, including repair, replacement, maintenance, commercial roofing, and help
with insurance claims.

Are you interested in setting up a preventative maintenance
plan with us? Don’t hesitate to give us a call for a quote or more information!