4 Tips to Keeping Your Roof in Great Shape

Your roof is an incredibly important part of your home. It protects the structure from the elements and helps protect the overall stability of the house. Most (88%) homeowners in the United States consider the entire exterior of the home to be one unit, not separate parts. When asked, 72% prefer roofs that require as little maintenance as possible and durability and longevity are the two things they value most in a new roof. There are things you can do to keep your roof in good condition and there are times when you need to call in a professional roofing contractor. Here are some roof repair tips to keep your home in ship shape condition.

1. Be vigilant about leaks. If you see signs of leaks in your home, take note. Even small leaks need to be looked at right away because these seemingly small issues will grow to be big ones soon enough. If you notice water stains on the top floor or attic, that can signal a leak. If you see this, either go up onto the roof to look for problems yourself or call a residential roofing repair company to do it for you.
2. Inspect the roof regularly. Even when you do not see any signs of a problem, check your roof a few times a year. Look for pealing or cracked shingles. If you only have a few that are damaged, you may be able to replace them yourself. If there are a lot, it makes more sense to call in a roofing professional. Your roof repair cost will be lower if you get it early and certainly less than a full on roof replacement. In terms of rating roof repair tips, checking the roof often should rank at the top of the list.
3. Preventative maintenance is key. When you do your spring cleaning each year, make it a point to make your gutters part of your routine. When they get clogged up with leaves and other debris they can overflow and cause water to build up. This can lead to damage to your roof. Really pay attention to your gutters as you clean them and talk to your roofer about doing a full gutter inspection if you are not sure. If too much water passes from the gutters towards your foundation, this can cause catastrophic flooding in your home.
4. Pay attention to your utility bills. This is probably something you are doing anyway but if you notice a big increase in what you are paying for power, do not just assume your power company is ripping you off. You may need something done about your roof.

Roof repair and replacement may not be fun but it is important. The exterior of your home is what people see the most and they do notice what the roof looks like. Any money you invest in keeping your roof in the best condition possible has a very high return on investment (ROI) and will increase the value of your home. Following these four simple roof repair tips will extend the life of your roof and keep your home safer from damage.