By: Ian Pearson
The reason why roofing maintenance is so important is due to the fact that nothing impacts the overall value of the real estate quite like the state that your roof is in. First of all, this is something that can be noticed from the driveway. Apart from looking completely unaesthetic, it’s also something that can cause property damage inside (due to the probability of leak), make the place less energy-efficient and, above all, costs a small fortune to repair. On the other hand, by proper and regular maintenance, you can easily skip most of these steps. Here are several tips you can be handy about.
Regular Inspections
The first thing you should think about is the roof inspection that need to be done at very least once per year, even though two times would be ideal. In this way, you can make minor repairs and implement new maintenance tips without having to re-roof. Furthermore, it’s equally as important that you inspect the inside as it is to do so for the outside. There are some signs of structural damage, that simply can’t be seen from the outside. As always, early detection is your most reliable money-saving tip. This, of course, depends on the type of the roof. For instance, a tile roof can even go up to five years without an inspection.
Indicators of Damage to Look For
The first and the easiest thing to notice on your home’s roof are the missing shingles. Extreme wind or even a hailstorm can make some damage to these shingles and even make them break or completely disappear. What leaves behind is a hole that can be penetrated by wind or water. One of the simplest ways to notice this from the inside is by looking for visible rays of light. Needless to say, where light is able to make its way, the water can probably do the same. Aside from this, you also want to look for discoloration, soft spots or wetness in the support. This too indicates that things have taken a turn for the worse, although that the situation still isn’t and grim and that there are several things you can do about it.
DIY or Professional Assistance
Another thing worth thinking about is whether you can make this repair on your own or will you have to hire a professional to do so in your stead. The first option is clearly a more frugal one, yet, it may not always be available. With that in mind, try to understand that hiring a professional roofing company over a couple of missing shingles might be an overkill, as well. At the end of the day, you’re the one who needs to make this decision so choose wisely. Furthermore, a DIY repair, even though simple, may require some additional equipment you don’t possess, yet have no interest in buying either. Therefore, for example if you are located somewhere near NSW region, it might be the most cost-effective to look for a cherry picker available for hire in Sydney instead.
Consider the Alternative
At the end of the day, you need to understand that an average roof repair cost range goes up to $1,225. Depending on the region you’re in (we mentioned the potential hailstorm and flying debris), this can become a relatively regular expense. Still, while unforeseen situations may be something you can’t do anything about, the lack of proper maintenance is really something that can be easily avoided. As a landlord, the lower the cost of the maintenance goes, the lower your overhead is and the higher your profit gets. Overall, those who understand the business-like nature of being a landlord may understand just how vital this is.
In Conclusion
Of course, there’s only so much you can repair and, it’s inevitable that, at one point, you’ll have to repair the roof instead of replacing it. With a regular inspection, maintenance and care, this can take as much as 20 years. Sure, the damage sustained will increase exponentially, the older your roof is, yet, some materials and areas merely provide you with more time. This is why there’s no ultimate guide to how you should handle your property’s roof. You need to figure this one out on your own based on all the factors listed above. Good luck!
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