Your roof is the foundation of your home and requires consistent upkeep. These are the best tactics for the most long-lasting results.
Homeownership comes with much responsibility, but your roof may be out of sight and not always be on your mind until an emergency happens. It’s important for many reasons as a homeowner to take care of your roof; it protects your personal belongings, your family, and is the foundation of the entire home. Without a healthy roof, other aspects of your home may suffer. These are five basic tips that should be followed by every homeowner in order to extend the lifecycle of your roof.
1 – Proper Installation
It’s key to hire a professional contracting company that is credible, knowledgeable, and trust worthy in installing your roof. Proper installation is the number one important factor of a long-lasting roof. Hiring a cheap professional is risky because although the cost may be more affordable upfront, you may face more expenses later because the installation crumbled faster and required more upkeep than a properly installed roof.
When researching roofing contractors for your new roof or for roofing repairs or placements, make sure to look at reviews and how long the company has been in business. It’s also recommended that you contact a few companies and monitor their customer service, turnaround time in responses, and how respectful they are to their customers. As originally mentioned, selecting a roofing company based on the lowest price alone may not be your best option. A company that follows good business practices will be priced fairly, or potentially a bit higher than average to cover the costs of their experienced workers and purchase of high-end supplies. These are the companies that will provide proper installation and therefore, longer-term results.
2 – Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning, removal of debrees, and taking care of your gutters is the number one responsibility of a homeowner. It’s a very simple process and although it takes time, it can deliver results that save you from early repairs or replacements on your roof!
For Floridians that live in a home surrounded by trees, it’s important to regularly remove leaves, twigs, and branches from the gutters to avoid standing water and gutter clogs. Ignoring this could cause water leaks in your home. Since we get to enjoy year-round sun in the South, we also must embrace year-round storms, and regular tree trimming is a preventative strategy to avoid build-up of tree branches and leaves on your roof and also to avoid major damage from the wind and rain we experience so often.
3 – Proper Attic Insulation
Did you know that a common cause of roof damage actually starts in your roof due to improper insulation? In Florida, we experience year-round heat and humidity, and proper attic insulation is very important to prevent heat and moisture damage in our roofs. Some risks of heat damage include loss of roof tiles, weakening shingles, and moisture issues, which could cause damage to your roof and attic space.
There are many options of types of insulation for Florida homes, including spray foam, blown-in fiberglass, blown-in cellulose, and fiberglass batt. Regardless of which you choose, it’s important that the insulation also incorporates proper ventilation to avoid absorbing moisture. Make sure you work with a trusted professional Florida roofing contractor for your attic insulation installation or improvements!
4 – Schedule Regular Inspections
After you have followed all of the steps mentioned above, you are not done! It’s important to schedule regular inspections of your roof with a professional to check for any damage, leaks, or areas that need improvement before they become an emergency. The smartest cadence of roof inspections in Florida is twice per year, or at the very least, an annual inspection. Some things that a roofing contractor will look for during their inspection is storm-damage from weather, which may incorporate an insurance claim. They will also look for vegetation-related damage from animals or vines that may be nesting or worming their way into the roofing materials.
A standard roof will last 10-20 years, but as time goes on, repairs may be necessary for wear-and-tear. Regular inspections will help elongate that timeline, but will also provide a heads-up for when it’s time for a roof replacement.
5 – Treat Problems Immediately
If you’ve discovered a roof leak in your home or failed a recent roof inspection, it’s important to treat those problems immediately before they become worse, or more expensive to fix. Common roof problems found during an inspection include a failing or sagging structure, poor installation that must be corrected, leaks, missing or damaged shingles, and clotted gutters. All of these problems can be fixed quickly and are financially affordable.
Working with a company like Mitchell & Sons Roofing means you will get honest roof inspections, trustworthy repairs, and executed replacements. Plus, we offer financing options no matter what your budget or credit may be. There is no project too large or too small. Contact us for a cost-free estimate or inspection at 727-807-5217.