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Your roof is an important, integral part of your home’s function. Anything which impacts your roof will, inevitably, impact the rest of your home, too. Because of this, it cannot be stressed enough how important it is to keep your roof well-maintained and in good shape. A familiarity, if not a deeper knowledge and understanding, of your options when it comes to your roof and its maintenance requirements, is a necessary part of the responsibilities of a homeowner. Here, you’ll learn about some of the most important bits of knowledge you should know as part of keeping your roof in good order.
PART 1: REPAIR, RESTORE, OR REPLACE: THE DIFFERENT ROOFING JOBS
There’s no denying that your roof is in need of some attention, but what should you do? Knowing what roofing jobs are available to you might help you decide. ROOF REPAIR Roof repair is designed to address an immediate roof concern before it has a chance to develop into a bigger problem. Roof repair is often synonymous with “leak repair” because a roof leak is the most common warning sign that you have an incipient, developing problem with your roof. One of the most important reasons for contracting for roof repair as soon as a problem starts to develop is that the location of a leak in a particular area of your home doesn’t necessarily correspond to the actual location of the problem. You could address the issue of the leaky roof without actually dealing with the ultimate source of the problem. Unless, and until, you have a professional take a look at the problem, you risk having the issue become a much larger (and expensive!) one. ROOF RESTORATION In many instances, damage only occurs on a small portion of a roof. Instead of a complete re-roof then, roof restoration can be used to address the problem in the affected area and restore the rest of the roof to good working condition. It’s best for aged but sound roofs, delaying the need for a replacement for years.
PART 1: REPAIR, RESTORE, OR REPLACE: THE DIFFERENT ROOFING JOBS
As it is essentially intended to keep a roof from deteriorating, heading off potential problems before they start, roof restoration can also be referred to as roof maintenance. Over time, regular roof maintenance has proved to be the most cost-effective way to extend the life of your roof and get the most value out of it. The best way to maintain your roof’s functional state is to have a maintenance plan. If you’re unsure how to draw up such, you can consult with a certified roofing contractor for help. What’s important is that your maintenance plan is regularly carried out and includes tasks that specifically address your roof’s needs. ROOF REPLACEMENT Sometimes there’s just no way to fix a roof other than by replacing it entirely. While extensive damage to your roof can be caused by certain external factors, such as extreme weather, roof replacement can also be necessitated by the fact that your roof has just simply outlived its usefulness. In either case, damage or age can and will result in a safety issue for those living under the roof. If the situation is such that roof replacement is warranted, then the roof should be replaced in its entirety as soon as can be arranged.
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In repairing or replacing your roof, the services of a professional roofing contractor is important. More on this in Part 2!
PART 2: WHAT A PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTOR BRINGS TO THE JOB
Roof repair and replacement can be, and often is, a huge investment on the part of a homeowner. The potentially significant investment required to replace an aging, worn-out roof can be a tremendous drain on resources. This is why homeowners often put off repairing the roof, letting the situation worsen until, finally, they just can’t put it off any longer. For such a huge investment, it’s important not only to get what you’re paying for, but also to know that you’ve invested your time and money in something worthwhile, that you’re getting value for your money. And the only real way to get that is by hiring a professional roofing contractor to fix your roof. THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE Roof work may not exactly be rocket science, but that doesn’t mean it’s a stroll in the park, either. The best professional companies have years of training and hands-on work invested in their best teams; take a gander at some professional roofing websites, and you’ll notice a list of certifications that they’ve qualified for. Those certifications aren’t easy to pass; in many cases, just to be eligible to take the examinations for those certifications, contractors have to qualify first to be licensed to do roof work in your state. Even then, without actual, extensive, hands-on experience, most contractors will fail those examinations.
PART 2: WHAT A PROFESSIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTOR BRINGS TO THE JOB
Those certifications tell you that the company’s contractors can install your roof the right way, the proper way, each time, rain or shine. People who ignore these credentials in an attempt to save money often end up, ironically, paying more to get the job done.
Without the experience professionals have, a do-it-yourself enthusiast can end up flubbing the job so badly that it takes a professional to fix it and get it right. Not only do they waste time and resources on the first attempt to fix the roof, but they end up having to shell out money to buy an entirely new set of materials to fix the roof, in addition to paying for professional services to get it right the second time around. ooooo
Repair and replacement aren’t all you can do with your roof. Check out Part 3 for a list of other roofing jobs you might want to consider.
PART 3: BEYOND REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT - OTHER ROOFING JOBS TO CONSIDER
When it comes to roofing jobs, it’s common for homeowners to think repairs and replacements. However, those two aren’t the only tasks that can make a difference for your roof, and ultimately your home. INSULATION Keeping your home comfortably heated or cooled, depending on the season, can end up costing you a lot over the course of the year. Did you know that up to half of heating and cooling in homes is lost because of inadequate insulation? By acting as a barrier to heat loss in your walls, ceilings, floors, and roof, added insulation helps to trap the heated or cooled air in your home, allowing you to lessen the strain on your HVAC system and see a reduction in your heating and cooling bills.
As your attic is one of the largest sources of lost energy efficiency, adding insulation to it is also one of the best ways to address energy loss. GUTTERS It’s easy to underestimate the value of properly functioning gutters. Many homeowners fail to associate problems with standing or ponding water, both on the roof and on the ground, with a problem with the gutters, they can lead to many complications, such as flooding or damage to the home’s foundation.
PART 3: BEYOND REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT - OTHER ROOFING JOBS TO CONSIDER
Properly functioning gutters direct collected rainwater or snowmelt away from your home, protecting your walls, siding, windows, doors, and foundation from water damage. Damaged gutters, as well as clogged or blocked ones, allow water to gather instead. Over time, the collected water will eventually find a way into your home, and from there can end up undermining its structure and cause you numerous problems. VENTILATING THE ATTIC Proper attic ventilation is something that often ends up overlooked, potentially resulting in damage to your home. Ventilating the attic is not just about keeping fresh air cycling; rather, it’s also about preventing moisture-heavy air from being retained in the enclosed spaces of your attic.
Without a way to vent air heavy with water vapor, moisture will accumulate in your attic. Over time, this can lead to the formation of rot and mold, which will not only undermine your home’s structure, but can also pose a serious health risk to those living there.
PART 3: BEYOND REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT - OTHER ROOFING JOBS TO CONSIDER
There is also the added benefit that proper air circulation will result in a better level of overall comfort in your home. During the hot months, better circulation acts to expel heated air and reduce your need for cooling, while in the colder months it helps to expel cold, wet air that contributes to the chill.
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Given what your roof does for your home, it’s only fitting that you take the time to get to know it, which will help you take better care of it. Should you wish to learn more about roofs and roofing jobs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local roofing expert.
Joe Ward Enterprises Inc. (305) 432-9994 257 East Lucy Street, Florida City, FL 33034 (305) 233-6316 24 Old Jupiter Beach Road, Jupiter, FL 33466 (561) 741-8919 www.JoeWardRoofing.com