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Owning your own home is often looked at as a milestone in becoming an adult. And this is also seen as part of living the American dream.
However, homeownership doesn’t come without responsibility. In fact, owning a home comes along with a lot of work, maintenance hot tub on deck, and upkeep of backyards. But as long as you keep active with the upkeep of your home, you’ll be able to enjoy it long into the future.
As a major part of home upkeep, your roof is among the most critical elements of the home that you need to ensure that you maintain.
For most homes and climates, a roof is recommended to be replaced or repaired every 12 to 15 years on average. And this can actually be a shorter length of time depending on the materials the roof is made from. While you may not relish the idea of spending money on your roof, proper roof maintenance is paramount to the integrity of your home: and you definitely should not try to do it yourself.
In the following post, we’ll discuss a few aspects of maintaining your roof that all homeowners should be made aware of.
Construction
Most homeowners aren’t aware that the type of roof you have is directly related to energy efficiency. And this can be affected by many factors.
Poor roof construction can result in higher than average heating costs, as evident with roofs that lack adequate insulation, or those that have gaps left near eaves and the like.
Additionally, the pitch of a roof is directly related to the roof’s ability to drain rainwater. And a poorly constructed roof without a proper pitch can ultimately cause your walls to become unwilling gutters for rainwater.
All in all, there are numerous construction methods and styles for roofs. And all have their unique benefits and drawbacks. But above all, you want to ensure that your roof is built solid and sound, with proper support and insulation.
Materials
Roofing materials can be selected based on a variety of factors. But this usually comes down to cost, efficiency, and personal sense of style. Some roofing materials include the following:
- Metal shingles
- Wood shingles
- Clay tile
- Slate shingles
- Concrete tile
- Synthetic slate tile
- Rolled roofing
- Membrane roofing
- Asphalt shingles
No matter what style you choose, you’re going to want to hire a quality roofing contractor to install your roof. Picking a contractor who knows how to work with the chosen materials is of paramount importance for any project: how much more so something as important as your roof!
For example, many homeowners make the mistake of choosing a roofer who’s inexperienced with specific roofing materials. If a roofing contractor is known for shingle roofs but you hire out to have a metal roof installed, you might end up with a poorly installed roof.
As such, if you’re going to have a metal roof installed, you need to hire a metal roofing contractor.
Inspections
Depending on where you live and your climate, you’ll need to have your roof inspected for damage periodically.
Essentially, if you live in a region of the country where you’re prone to high winds and fluctuating inclement weather patterns such as in the south or in the New England states, you may want to have your roof inspected every five years just to be safe.
A roof takes a long time to deteriorate. But this is also a factor influenced by climate and the types of materials that the roof is made from.
For example, the more common asphalt or composite shingle roofs are prone to losing shingles in high wind. And the more shingles you lose, the more your roof will be exposed to harsh elements.
Metal roofs are much more adaptable to the elements, though high winds can often damage metal roofs, and this material does tend to absorb heat, overall, they last longer than most roofing materials over time.
Your roof is what protects you from the elements. As such, it makes sense to keep up with roof maintenance frequently. Doing your due diligence when it comes to caring for your roof will only prove beneficial for you in the long run.
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