Six Tips You Need to Know about Your Roof

By Michelle Grojean / Published September 2020

Does the thought of roof maintenance, potential problems, and overall upkeep overwhelm you? Fear not! Regarding the longevity of your roofing system, proactive measures can save thousands in costly repairs. Luckily for you, we’re here with six (very important) tips that every homeowner, business owner, and property manager should know about their roof to help make it as easy (and as cost-effective) as possible to combat surprise and often costly roofing issues.

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While striving to reduce roof lifecycle costs, you’ll want to elongate your roof’s lifespan as long as possible. Regular roof inspections, roof maintenance, and emergency service should be a part of all lifetime roofing service agreements. All major roofing manufacturers require that roofing systems with NDL (No Dollar Limit) warranties receive regular roof maintenance and inspections to keep the guarantee in good standing. When not properly caring for and maintaining your rooftop, you run the risk of voiding warranties. Don’t know where to start? Keep reading. We’re offering up a few tips and tricks to help you elongate the life of your roofing system. Whether it’s residential or commercial, we’ve got you covered.

Know the Lifespan of Your Roof

Do you know how old your roof is? Do you know what kind of roof system protects your home or business best? Surprisingly, many commercial/residential property owners and managers don’t know the answers to these important questions. Knowing the age of your roof, the type of roof you have, and when the last inspection was conducted will help you to prepare for future maintenance and to potentially avoid costly and unexpected repairs. Call a certified roofing professional to help answer all these questions with a thorough roof inspection.

Know Your Roof Ventilation System

It’s important to know the status of your roof ventilation system. Poor ventilation can lead to some serious problems and even more costly repairs. Roofs that are not properly ventilated can lead to dramatic mold issues in Florida’s hot, humid, and rainy seasons. A simple roof inspection can quickly show you if your roof is properly ventilated. If not, installing the proper roof ventilation system can wind up saving you thousands in the long run.

Know That Leaks Aren’t Always From Physical Holes

Water damage can result from a plethora of problems—not just a hole in your roof. Often leaks can happen because of poor workmanship, sidewalls, boots, flashing, skylights, and/or valley issues. Holes in your roof are almost always obvious, but leaks are rarely obvious. Regular inspections of your roof by a trained technician can help you to identify problem areas, more susceptible to leaks, in your roof. Understanding problematic areas in your roofs before catastrophic events can help you to get ahead and to avoid those costly repairs before it’s too late.

Keep Your Gutters Tidy

Although it can be a tough chore, it’s important to make the condition of your drainage system a priority. We’re talking about cleaning your gutters. At least twice a year, you should be clearing debris and other problematic materials from your home’s and commercial building’s gutter systems. Buildup can wind up causing both mold issues and leaks. Gutter leaks can not only damage the exterior of your home and/or business but can result in some awfully costly repairs. If you wait until it’s too late, damage can be irreversible and expensive.

Know Your Landscaping

Curb appeal is ideal for all Florida home and businesses, but it’s critical to consider your rooftop when living out your landscape dreams. You want to be sure to keep a close eye on leaning branches that touch your roof as they can scratch and gouge your roof materials. Landscaping can be a simple fix for these types of threats, however. Simply trim back trees and branches that are near your rooftop and be sure to keep tree debris from causing damage to your rooftop.

Know Who to Call

If you’re not a trained professional, it’s critical that you stay off your roof. Footsteps by untrained individuals can cause lasting damage and can drastically impact its life expectancy. Experienced roofing professionals can not only identify current rooftop problem areas but can do so safely to eliminate any additional and unnecessary damage to your roofing system.

Know When Your Roof Needs an Inspection

Having a professional inspect your roof routinely can save you time and money. We recommend, at minimum, a yearly inspection by a licensed and certified roofing specialist. It’s best to catch leaks and/or potential problem areas in your roof and perform proper maintenance before a costly incident.

Remember, the best time to inspect your roof is when the sun is shining. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Michelle Grojean

Director of Marketing, Crown Roofing LLC

Michelle Grojean is Director of Marketing for Crown Roofing LLC. You may phone her at (239) 994-9529 or email her at michelleG@crownrfg.com.