Roof Maintenance: Prevent Roof Leaks & Prepare for Storms

Understanding the Importance of Roof Maintenance

Some of the most relevant reasons why roof maintenance is important, both in Massachusetts and everywhere else, are:

• It extends your roof’s lifespan. Roof maintenance operations are relatively inexpensive, especially when you compare them to the cost of replacing the entire roof. Finding and repairing small cracks and leaks can add many years to your roof’s life, so you won’t be spending money on a replacement anytime soon.
• It helps protect your family. Your home’s roof protects your family from the Massachusetts weather, which can sometimes be harsh. Rain, snow, heavy winds, and hail can make life difficult for those inside your house.
• It protects the rest of your house. A leaky roof can affect the house’s walls, foundations, supporting beams, rafters, and everything inside, potentially leading to very expensive repairs.
• It maintains your home’s value. A well-maintained roof that looks great and is leak-free will make your house more appealing to potential buyers, should you ever decide to sell it.

Signs of Roof Damage to Look For

Detecting any roof issues as early as possible will help prevent more serious damage and keep repair costs low. You can do that by looking out for both exterior and interior signs of roof damage.

These are some exterior signs you need to look out for when assessing potential roof damage:

• Missing or damaged shingles: Having a roof area with no shingles or with cracked ones can cause leaks, mold, and rot. Take a quick look at your roof after every storm to see if there’s any sign of shingle damage.
• Granules in gutters: If you have asphalt shingles, they’ll shed granules over time, which may accumulate in your gutters. Finding granules in your gutters is therefore a clear sign of roof damage.
• Visible sagging: If you notice obvious dipped areas in your roof, it may be due to structural issues. It’s essential to have it addressed as soon as possible, as it can lead to collapse.
• Punctures or holes in the roof: Things like hail, falling branches, or improperly executed maintenance operations can cause visible holes in your roof. They can cause leaks, mold, and rot, so you should take care of them as soon as possible.

Some signs of roof damage that you may notice inside your house include:

• Water stains on your ceiling: The most common sign of a leaky roof is probably one or more yellow or brown spots on your ceiling or walls. Although it’s unappealing, you should address the root cause before fixing your wall.
• Light coming through the roof boards: If you notice daylight through your roof boards from the attic, parts of your roof are thinner than they should be.
• Electrical system issues: If you’re having electrical issues all of a sudden, the cause may be water infiltration near electrical systems. Let professionals find and fix the issue, as addressing it yourself may be dangerous.

Essential Steps for Roof Maintenance

While you can perform some roof maintenance operations by yourself, others are best left to professionals. A basic maintenance visit from a specialized company like Beantown Home Improvements typically costs between $300 and $700 in the Boston area and can prevent roof leaks and other similar issues. Some of the things you can do by yourself to make sure your roof is in good condition are:

1. Clean all gutters and downspouts
2. Trim any overhanging tree branches
3. Check for any loose or damaged shingles
4. Inspect flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
5. Check attic ventilation
6. Conduct seasonal visual inspections
7. Ensure proper roof ventilation

If you notice any issues during your inspections, contact Beantown Home Improvements, and we’ll perform a professional roof inspection.

Preparing Your Roof for Summer Storms

Massachusetts gets lots of summer storms, and they can severely affect your roof’s condition. If you’ve followed the above-mentioned steps and found any weak areas, you should reinforce them right away, either by yourself or with the help of professionals. If you need to replace shingles, consider buying impact-resistant ones, so you won’t have any problems in the future with damage due to hail or other elements that may puncture your roof. If you’re looking for extreme weather protection, however, a metal roof will do the trick.

Other things you can do to make sure your roof is ready for the Massachusetts summer storms are:

• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated.
• Check to see if any roofing materials are loose.
• Ensure that your attic is properly insulated.

When to Call a Professional Roofing Company

Even if you’re a DIY type of person, some roof issues require professional assistance. Working with licensed and insured roofing contractors like the ones at BeanTown Home Improvement can give you the guarantee you need that your roof will be as good as new when they’re done. You should schedule an annual inspection to make sure you catch any issues early. You should also call us as soon as possible if you notice any clear signs of damage, after a severe storm, or if you’re considering a full roof replacement.

Protecting Your Home from Summer Storm Damage with Beantown Home Improvements

Your roof is an essential part of the house, and any damage caused by the Massachusetts weather can cause you and your family serious inconveniences. The good news is that most issues happen over time, giving you the chance to catch and address them before they become difficult and expensive to fix. While you can inspect your roof for visible signs of damage by yourself, having it professionally inspected once in a while is a smart investment. Contact us at Beantown Home Improvements to schedule your roof inspection.