After closing on your first home, you probably feel as if though you’ve just finished running a marathon! After all those long years of hard work and committed saving, and scratching and clawing your way through the home buying process, the closing date felt like the happiest day on earth. However, although the keys are finally in your hands, the time to kick back and relax is not yet here. Along with such great joy, your biggest investment also comes with some responsibilities. In this article, we discover what new homeowners need to know about their roofs.
Roofing material
The first thing new homeowners should keep in mind regarding their roofs is that there are different types of roofing materials. By familiarizing yourself with them, you’ll be able to either choose one that is best for your home or correctly maintain the roof that’s already installed.
For instance, impact-resistant roofing materials are standard for areas where severe storms are a frequent occurrence; energy-efficient types for places with extreme temperatures. They also differ in their life span, protection, price range, etc. Choose the one that will best protect and fit your property’s needs and style. Secondly, different types of roofs require a different kind of care and attention – not all are created equal. Therefore, doing your homework will help you figure out how to maintain it properly.
Roof inspection
Pre-sale inspections
Another fact that new homeowners need to know about their roofs is that the pre-sale home inspection is one of the most crucial steps here. Given that a house is a huge investment, making sure that everything is functional before buying a property is the key to avoiding any major, expensive repairs afterward. A professional home inspector should, among other things, inspect the condition of your rooftop and detect problem spots that should be addressed.
Regular annual inspections
Even if your pre-sale inspection showed you that everything was in order, you should not overlook the importance of regular annual inspections. It is a good idea to have a qualified professional come down to your home for a thorough roof inspection at least once a year. By taking this step, you will be able to identify any upcoming issues, big or small, on time and react appropriately before any further damage is caused.
Inspections for damage caused by severe weather
You must keep an eye on your roof, especially after a storm, ice accumulation, or heavy snowfall. For instance, ice dams can quickly turn into a nightmare for homeowners since they eventually result in costing them thousands of dollars in repairs. As you might already know, these often cause roof leaks, gutter and insulation damage, etc.
Preventive maintenance
This probably sounds like a lot of work, but there are some simple things you can do that will keep the roof in top-notch condition. For starters, regular checkups will, as previously discussed, help you notice and quickly address any minor issues even before they turn into pricey emergencies.
This calls for knowing where to look for trouble, which are places like chimneys, skylights, vents, gutters, etc. However, simple maintenance tasks can help you prolong the life span of your roof, prevent costly repairs, and protect yourself from potential hazards. These include:
- keeping your rooftop clear of debris, moss, and algae
- clearing out your downspouts and gutters
- getting rid of any overhanging limbs
- making sure there aren’t any loose, damaged, or missing roof shingles, indications of leakage, etc.
Although an upgrade is a slightly different preventive measure, it is by far the best possible one you can take against the biggest enemy of your roof – ice dams. Of course, all elements present a potential threat to your home; ice dams are, by far, the worst. For this reason, new homeowners are encouraged not to wait until it is too late to install an effective roof ice melt system.
Find a reputable roofer
Besides being a significant investment, the roof keeps you safe from the elements, which is why a new homeowner needs to be sure the project was done correctly. When talking about a kind of investment that is supposed to safeguard your house for years to come, you should not settle for just anybody. After all, to make your new place feel like home after moving in, you need to feel safe in it.
This is why you need to make sure you’ve chosen a reputable roofing contractor to work with. This should be the contractor you could also trust to handle your repairs, roof replacements, and more, in the future. The best professionals out there should be able to guarantee their work, have a license number, experience, a good reputation, etc. It is also best to find one as soon as you can, that is, before you find yourself desperately needing one.
Prompt reactions
Of course, roof issues can arise at any time of year and at a moment’s notice. This is why it is best to be prepared to act quickly. This primarily means that you’ve already found a professional to whom you can entrust to address any roof issues and that you have the number of this roofer handy. Therefore, as soon as you notice some problem with your roof, you need to act fast so that the damage does not escalate into a larger issue. Never put off roof repairs. Instead, make sure to contact a professional roofer as soon as possible and schedule a repair.
Know your roof’s lifespan
Another thing that new homeowners need to know about their roofs is that even a shiny new roof cannot last forever. Instead, their replacement typically takes place every few decades. Still, knowing the roof’s age is particularly important if it is slowly starting to near the end of its lifespan, which is the time when you can expect more frequent repairs. Therefore, if you bought a house with an old roof, see if you can find a way to contact the previous owners to inquire about its age. What is more, take the chance to ask them additional questions. For example, if they’ve made some repairs recently, they should notify you about any transferrable warranty information.
