Poor Maintenance
Repairs and Roof Replacement for Seattle Roofs With a Poor Maintenance History
It’s easy to push off roof maintenance, leaving it to your future self who will likely push it off another couple of years. Alternatively, you might have bought or inherited a home with a neglected roof and are seeking solutions to diagnose or repair a history of poor roof maintenance.
In truth, neglecting roof maintenance can end up costing more in the long run, leading to expensive repairs and potentially premature replacement that could’ve been avoided with a maintenance visit.
It should also be noted that not all roofing materials have the exact same maintenance needs. Debris removal, moss cleaning and treatment and flashing replacement are sometimes all the maintenance a composition shingle roof will require during its lifetime.
Cedar shake roofs require the same type of debris removal and moss and algae cleaning and treatment but also benefit from the periodic reapplication of wood preservatives and water repellents.
Standing seam metal roofs can last longer than composite roofing, but they also need to be cleaned and will likely require occasional reapplication of paint or coating to maintain protective qualities and the roof’s aesthetic appeal.
Consequences of Neglecting Roof Maintenance
Leaks and Water Damage
Neglecting roof maintenance can quickly lead to roof leaks. Roof leaks are obvious signs of roof disrepair – whether you see, hear or smell the leak first, once you notice it inside your home, you can assume there is a serious issue with your roof. There are many paths by which water can find its way into your home and cause interior damage, from missing shingles and cracked flashing to clogged gutters and wood rot.
Water intrusion can be extremely hazardous in some cases, especially if a leak penetrates your home’s electric circuit and causes a short circuit, which poses a severe fire hazard. Regular maintenance can be key to preventing mold growth in your attic or home and structural damage that can weaken your home’s structural integrity.
Roof Debris
High winds during storms can carry debris such as branches, leaves and other materials onto your roof. Aside from detracting from your home’s curbside appeal, neglected debris can cause serious damage to your roof. If you notice debris accumulating in gutters, roof valleys or around roof protrusions, it’s important to remove it promptly. Allowing debris to pile up can lead to clogged gutters, moss growth and physical damage in some cases, like stains or indentations.
Foundation Damage
Forgetting to clear your gutters can lead to structural damage if water overflow accumulates around the foundation of your home and causes basement leaks, foundation cracks or settlement.
Expensive Repairs
Paying for maintenance now can decrease your risk of paying for expensive repairs and replacements in the future. Small, easily fixable problems – such as minor leaks, damaged flashing or rust – can quickly escalate into major issues if left unaddressed, requiring emergency services that tend to be more costly and stressful.
Increased Energy Costs
A poorly maintained roof can cost you more in the long run in terms of energy costs. If you allow your roofing materials to degrade and become damaged, they won’t be able to effectively insulate your home, allowing heat to escape during the winter and cool air to escape during the summer.
Either way, your home will become less comfortable and your energy bills will go up. Moreover, ineffective ventilation can increase your attic’s humidity levels, creating a prime environment for mold and mildew growth that can spread through your home. Mold growth can severely reduce indoor air quality and put the health and safety of occupants at risk.
Pest Infestations
Regular roof maintenance can also aid with pest prevention. When roof maintenance is neglected, gaps and cracks can form and create easy entry points for pests such as rodents, birds and insects, causing significant structural damage. To make a bad situation worse, pets also pose a serious health risk and can spread diseases, potentially putting you and your family in danger.
Decreased Property Value
Seattle homeowners looking to sell should especially care about roof maintenance. A roof in poor condition is an eyesore that will significantly detract from your home’s curb appeal, which poses a serious problem for homeowners looking to sell their home for the best possible price.
Can Poor Roof Maintenance Hurt Your Chances of Storm Damage Claim Approval?
Unfortunately, even if you’ve loyally been paying your home insurance premiums for years, your provider may not honor your storm damage claim if you’ve neglected to maintain your roof. Insurance adjusters are first and foremost focused on their bottom line and may attempt to reduce claim payment or deny a claim if there are signs you neglected proper upkeep.
Your insurer may be on the lookout for signs of poor roof maintenance and argue that the damage is at least partiallya your fault because you failed to properly care for your roof, making it more vulnerable to storm damage.
How Frequently Should You Have Your Roof Maintained?
The good news is that you don’t need to schedule maintenance that frequently. While some roofers may push for one to two maintenance visits a year, the truth is that level of frequency isn’t necessary and can actually be excessive. It really depends on your roof’s age, challenges and materials.
If you have a lot of tall trees around your property and the valleys of your roof fill up with debris, you may want to call out roofers more frequently.
Many homeowners with newer roofs and few roof problems can get away with scheduling maintenance once every few years or so – especially when you’re scheduling service from vetted and experienced roofers who provide long-lasting results.
That said, you should check your roof’s warranty and ensure your maintenance and inspection schedule is aligned with manufacturer requirements. You may get your material warranty coverage voided and become fully responsible for the cost of repairs and replacement if you don’t schedule inspections or maintenance within a certain timeframe.
Seattle Homeowners Have Relied on Us for Roof Maintenance for Nearly 20 Years
At Chet’s Roofing & Construction, we’ll take composition shingle, standing seam metal and cedar shake
roof maintenance off your plate, providing thorough inspections, honest assessments and personalized roofing solutions. Call
(877) 611-1514 or complete our
contact form to receive a roof inspection from an experienced roofer.
