A healthy roof is vital to your home maintenance for a number of reasons. Keeping your roof in good shape will go a long way to protecting your home!
If you're like most homeowners, you probably don't give much thought to your roof unless there's something wrong with it. This is actually a bad idea, because consistently maintaining a healthy roof can save you thousands, where neglecting it and reacting only after an issue occurs can cost more than you ever imagined. We've found just a few reasons why a healthy roof should be important to you.
It Protects Your Investment in Your Home
Your home is one of the largest investments you will ever make. Ongoing roof maintenance will help prolong your roof's life and also the life of your whole house. The roof is a fundamental piece of your home. It makes sense to maintain it before a full replacement is required. No one wants to replace a roof early due to unforeseen damage. It can be a very costly undertaking, so it's vital that you do what you have to to extend its life with regular inspections. In fact, in some states insurance companies will refuse to extend a policy to you without an updated roof certificate stating the amount of life left on the roof.
It Increases Your Home Value
A well-maintained and healthy roof can also be a selling point for your home and increase its value. From beautiful materials such as tile to energy-efficient roofing, homebuyers very often take the little extras you've chosen into account when making their offer. A new roof also increases resale value by $12,000 on average. If you're planning on selling your home, a new roof may well be an update worth making.
It Protects You From Hidden Damage
A major leak in your roof will make itself known quickly as it soaks through your ceiling, potentially damaging your drywall. If you're not performing routine maintenance on your roof, though, there could be quieter and more dangerous damage occurring. There could be a small leak in your attic at this very moment, dripping water every time it rains and causing rot damage to the beams in your attic. These repairs can be costly if not found quickly, and can also be unhealthy as they may cause mold to develop. Preventative maintenance can expose these hazards early and fix them before they become a serious concern.
It Saves Money on Heating and Cooling
Particularly in Colorado, your roof endures a lot. From pounding hail to feet of snow, to the burning sun to the occasional monsoon-like downpour, Colorado really puts our roofs through it all. A properly vented ventilated and insulated roof can actually save you money on heating and cooling your house. The roof releases humidity and heat from your house. When heat and humidity get trapped, they can eat away at the wood rafters and underpinnings of the roof in the attic. Good insulation is key to cooler summers and warmer winters in your home. Don't let your money escape through a poorly ventilate roof!
Your roof is one of the least thought of home components, but it is easily one of the most important. If you're not maintaining it, you're doing yourself and your home a disservice.
What do you do to maintain your roof? Tell us about your worst roofing incident in the comments below!
