Whether you’ve invested in a fixer-upper, own a preexisting home, or construct your home from the ground up, one of your main priorities is maintaining or increasing your home’s value.
After all, your home is a considerable investment, and you want to make sure that it pays off in the long run! The roof is one area of your home that plays a significant role in its value. A properly-maintained roof can last for decades, but a poorly-maintained roof will need replacement much sooner.
Here are a few roofing tips to keep in mind to maintain your home’s value:
Inspect Regularly – Regularly inspect your roof for any damage or wear and tear. Ideally, you should inspect all roofing components, including the areas around skylights, the chimney, and other areas susceptible to damage at least twice a year – once in the spring and another in the fall.
Other times worth inspecting the roof include after significant weather events, such as destructive storms, heavy winds, ice, snow, or hail.
If you notice any problem areas, calling in a roofing professional to make repairs as soon as possible is key to maintaining your roof’s longevity and preserving the value of your home for years to come.
Check Your Attic For Water Damage – In addition to inspecting the top of your roof for visible damage, you’ll also want to examine your attic space from time to time.
The reason why? Because if there’s a roofing leak, you’ll likely see evidence of it in the attic before you see any visible damage from the outside. Telltale signs of water damage include:
- Wet or damp insulation.
- Water stains on the wood or drywall.
- The formation of mold and mildew.
- A musty smell.
If you notice any damages, it’s crucial to call in a roofing contractor to make repairs as soon as possible.
A proactive call to a roofing professional will help prevent further damage to your home, saving you money in the long run.
Re-Caulk and Re-Seal – Over time, the caulk and sealant around your roof components can deteriorate, leading to leaks.
It’s essential to check the caulking and sealant around your chimney, skylights, vents, and other roof openings to ensure no cracks or gaps. If you notice any damage, remove the old caulk or sealant and apply new caulking or sealant to create a watertight seal.
Replace Damaged Shingles – Should you discover damaged or missing shingles during your inspection, it’s crucial to replace them as soon as possible. Replacing damaged shingles will help protect your roof, but it will also improve the appearance of your home.
You could be startled to learn that even one missing or damaged shingle can cause leaks, so it’s important not to delay making repairs.
Clean Gutters – Clogged gutters can cause problems, including roof leaks, so it’s essential to clear out collected to ensure that runoff water can do what it’s supposed to do – runoff.
The best times of the year to clean gutters are in the early spring and late fall. In the spring, cleaning gutters clear away any debris that builds up over the winter. In the fall, it’s important to clear gutters before the leaves start to fall, as wet leaves can grow heavy, clog gutters and cause them to sag.
Be sure not to forget downspouts and clean them out, as these are the gutter components that lead water away from your home’s foundation. If runoff water doesn’t get channeled away from your home, it can cause severe foundation damage.
To reduce maintenance requirements, you might consider investing in eaves guards that keep leaves and debris from building up in your gutters in the first place.
These systems are practical because they prevent large debris, such as fallen leaves, tree nuts, and limbs, from clogging your system while allowing rainwater or snow melt to flow through unimpeded.
Trim Trees – Overhanging tree branches can damage your roof when they fall. To avoid this, trim any trees near your home and make sure there are no dead branches that could fall and cause damage.
Depending on the trees surrounding your home, a single branch on an upper tree can weigh as much as 100 pounds or more when wet. So even if the tree limb doesn’t damage your roof when it falls, it can still cause serious injury if it hits someone walking below.
Ideally, all limbs and branches should be no less than 10 feet away from your roof. By trimming branches and limbs, you can also reduce the risk of animals, like squirrels and raccoons, nesting in your gutters or on your roof.
Replace When Necessary – The lifespan of the average modern roofing system is 20-30 years, so if your roofing system is approaching this age, it might be time to start thinking about replacement.
Not sure if your roof needs replacement? Several telltale signs indicate it’s time for a new roof, including:
- Shingles that are curling, cracking, or missing
- Excessive amounts of moss or algae growth
- Granules are abundant in the gutters (this is a sign that shingles are deteriorating.)
- Daylight is visible through the roof boards
A Dry Home Is A Valuable Home
It’s undeniable that a durable roof is among the top ways to maintain your home’s value. In addition, ensuring that it’s always dry helps keep the home value. That means no water leaks, no flooding, mold, or mildew growth.
A home free of these problems will be much more valuable than one that isn’t, so it’s crucial to take steps and do everything within your power to avoid water damage.
If you have further questions about roofing services in Newton, Wellesley, Dover, Hingham, Norwell, Needham, Cohasset, and Scituate, don’t hesitate to contact our local roofing professionals today.