If you think about a home, you might not say that the roof is the most important feature. That might be the bathroom or the kitchen. Maybe even the walls. However, what keeps us warm, dry, and safe from the elements? You guessed it: the roof.
That is why when yours is damaged, you need to repair it right away. It needs to be properly maintained and cleaned, as well. This is especially important in states like Oregon, where there is a risk of rain and snow. If you are curious about these topics and want to learn more, keep reading!
What Can Damage a Roof?
Now, there are a lot of things that can damage your home, including the top of it. Unfortunately, that is just part of life – particularly in areas with certain weather patterns and wildlife. Let us touch upon the latter, first.
Trees can cause a lot of problems for a roof. You can read some more about this here. Branches are the first thing that comes to mind. If they fall onto a house, it can even break through the exterior and expose the interior of your home to the outside world.
That is not the only risk, though. Smaller twigs and leaves can result in a buildup of debris. The mulch that can build up might be made of leaves, pine needles, or sticks. It is not good to let it sit on top of the home because it is usually wet or moist and can damage the shingles that are underneath.
Next, animals can also lead to damage. If you have birds that make a nest on lower shingles, this can obviously cause problems. Some of the tiles might even fall in the aftermath, given the processes that birds use to construct their little homes.
Now, those are not the only creatures that could cause issues. Raccoons, squirrels, and mice can easily destroy tiles if they put their minds to it. Even the bugs that are beneath the shingles can be an issue since a lot of animals want to eat them (resulting in shingles being torn off for better access).
Moving on to the elements – weather patterns play a significant role in determining the amount of care our roofs will require. Ice and snow are of particular concern, and unfortunately, there is really no way to prevent them. It is just a part of living further north.
Now, when water is under your shingles and it freezes, it can eventually dislodge them. If this happens, the snow might even melt and go into your house. No one wants that, so if you are looking for a Sherwood roofer following the winter, you won’t regret it.
High-velocity winds also pose a threat. The tiles might once again lift, or even be blown off entirely. You might want to inspect things in the aftermath of storms where the wind was blowing because if you notice some on the ground in your yard, it is probably time to get a repair.
Finally, some more mundane problems. Sunshine and moisture can both lead to damage over time. As the shingles are exposed to the UV rays of the sun, they age and can eventually crack. It is a natural process, and part of why things need to be maintained. Moisture can lead to mold or leaks if not managed.
Why You Should Maintain Your Roof
Now that you know some of the things that can damage your roof, you might be wondering why it is so important to handle them. Well, there are plenty of reasons. First, they protect us from the outside world.
If you are not a fan of always been rained, snowed, or hailed on, you can thank the roof above you for it. They are one of the most critical parts of a home for this reason. They can also protect us from strong winds and intense sunlight.
In this vein, they provide us with insulation in a house or other building. This insulation is what helps us stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Without it, your heat or air conditioning might be wasted and sent off into the open air! This is a key component of energy efficiency, something we should all at least attempt to do more consciously.
Finally, they add to the value of your home. You might be wondering how that works. Well, a roof adds a lot of aesthetic value in terms of curb appeal. Depending on what style you have, it might make a home highly desirable for potential buyers. Some of the most popular are gable styles, but there are plenty out there.
You Should Always Strive to Maintain Your Home
Be it your roof or other parts of a house, keeping up with the little problems can help prevent disaster in the future. Stop a cave in far before it happens by cleaning up debris, for example. Doing this ourselves might seem hard, but there are resources like a checklist that can help you know what to focus on: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/realestate/home-maintenance-checklist.
You should do a precursory inspection with each season that passes, so spring, summer, fall, and winter. During the colder months, you may want to check more often. Always make sure to look after storms or strong winds. This includes several inches of snow.
One facet of this we might not think of is considering the trees around our properties. If there is any risk that branches might fall and damage your house, you should look into ways to prevent this. Trimming the branches in question is one good method for this and is highly preferable to chopping the whole thing down.
You should also keep a close eye on your gutters. If they are not working properly, it could lead to damage to the shingles on your roof and the overall drainage system. Clear leaves out of them whenever possible but be careful as you do so. Safety should be key!
