Barring structural damage from a storm, most people don’t think about their roofs very much. If they can’t see it, and it’s not leaking, then they assume everything is fine. This may be the case. But the truth is, it’s better to be proactive when it comes to the maintenance of something as important as your home’s roof. To that end, commercial and residential building owners spend around $12 billion per year on roofing repairs and replacements. There are several factors that go into why you should have your roof inspected especially getting a roof inspection in Arlington, and we will cover some of them in a non-exhaustive list here.
Depending on the climate you live in and the type of roof you have, its lifespan can range anywhere from 15 to 30 years. If you reside in the northeast, the changing of the seasons can accelerate the weathering process on your roof. The sun’s rays during the summer, the rain in the spring and the snow in the winter along with the seasons’ accompanying temperature changes can cause your roof to wear down. And that’s without factoring any extreme weather events like high winds and strong storms. The good thing is that most weather damage is visible, meaning an inspection would catch it.
Leaks are the main culprit when it comes to roof damage, which makes finding them all the more important. There are a few factors that can cause leaks including heavy rain, the slope of the roof, its age, and how it is structured. A trained professional is required to perform a proper leak analysis, because the source of the leak may be in a totally different place than where the water is coming from. Finding a leak before it becomes a disaster is paramount, because 40% of building-related issues are directly tied to water intrusion and damage.
If you have a bevy of trees in your yard and near your house, this might look nice, but a storm could cause serious damage to your roof. Broken branches and sheared limbs from trees can snap off, with the potential to punch holes in your roof. Smaller branches may dislodge shingles as they contact your roof and fall to the ground. Another potential problem for your roof is the unwanted growth of vegetation. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of moisture, dirt, seeds, and sunlight on your roof and in your gutters, providing fertile ground for pesky plants to grow. Even worse, those plants can grow roots which could easily grow down into your roof, causing it to crack or leak. Regular inspections would prevent vegetation growth and mitigate any future tree damage.
It pays to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to caring for your home’s roof. Regular inspections can help you nip smaller problems in the bud before they become catastrophic. Three main reasons you should get your roof inspected are to check the effects of weathering and aging, to get it assessed for leaks, and to prevent or minimize any possible tree or vegetation damage. So, if you rarely think about your roof, maybe it’s time to not only think about it, but to get it inspected too. Doing so could ensure your safety and set your mind at ease.