As I write this, the weather is crazy -- we are about to endure an entire week of 117+ degrees. Heat that high can do serious damage to your home, landscaping, patio furniture, pool, etc.
It is always important to do home preventative maintenance; but even more so when you live in a climate with temperature extremes. If you take proactive steps to keep your home evaluated and repaired, the risk for costly disasters is greatly reduced.
When it comes to preventative maintenance, the roof is one of the most important parts of a house but most of the time it is one of the most neglected. Especially here in the desert, where we don't get a lot of rain, some people think the roof will last forever.
Many people don't even give any thought to their roof -- that is, until something goes wrong. I used to be one of those people. It wasn't until the wind blew off several sheets of shingles that I started paying attention.
Thankfully, I had the roof repaired immediately following the wind event and had it checked regularly thereafter.
The truth is: the sun, wind, sand and the fact the ground moves can all affect your roof.
Sometimes roof repairs are necessary due to weather or other circumstances. It is likely that any roof repair will more than likely cost less if the roof was being well maintained over the years.
And we want the roof to last as long as possible because replacing a roof is a costly endeavor.
Here are some tips for roof preventative maintenance:
--Perform a roof inspection at least once per year, before and after a severe storm or any event that could compromise the optimal functioning of the roof
--Check the shingles, shakes or tiles. Roofing shingles are the most visible part of a roof and they play a major role in keeping the entire roofing system dry. A missing shingle, shake or cracked tile may not seem like a big deal, but when left unattended, it can cause serious damage to the roof and create costly repairs that could have been avoided
--Keep the roof clean by removing foliage, debris, tree branches, etc.
--Screen all openings (vents, chimneys, etc) that might allow rodents to get into your home.
--Repair damaged or worn roofing materials and flashing, seal around vents.
--Never use a high-pressure wash when cleaning the roof.
--Keep the roof and gutters (if you have them) free of debris at all times.
--Check the interior of the roof while in the attic. Look around the beams for signs of water damage.
--Any signs of dampness in upstairs ceilings or boards in the attic crawl space may indicate you have a leak that has been developing over time and often starts out slowly but may worsen over time.
Performing simple, regular checks and preventative maintenance on your roof at least yearly is the easiest way to avoid damage to your roof and costly leaks. I know it's still hot but we've already had one storm and hopefully more will come.
If you would like to schedule a roof inspection, contact us or call us at 760.898.9604. And the next time you look up, remember that roof is protecting not only your home, but also your family!
