Roof leaks are no joking matter in a residence. Depending on the part of the country you’re in, adverse weather may or may not be a factor when it comes to water damage in your home during the wetter seasons of the year. But no matter where you may live, proper preparation and maintenance are the keys to minimizing or completely preventing damage from occurring.
This is important because old roofs that get damaged by heavy rains or storms are typically not covered under homeowner’s insurance, even if the water damage portion may be. Making sure that your roof is in great condition can save you, the homeowner, weeks of time and thousands of dollars in the long term. Additionally, roof leaks can also cause mold if the moisture is left sitting around for even a short amount of time. Smaller leaks, or ones that are in less obvious spots, may not be immediately noticed, and mold damage that develops from continuous leaks over time are usually not covered by insurance.
The age of the roof is usually one of the first considerations when damage occurs. For a lot of policies, reimbursements depreciate past a certain age, and for older homes the roof itself may no longer even be covered. Your first reaction may be to check the roof and decide if you want to replace it – but this is usually not the best choice to make, even if your home is pretty old. Roof replacement is costly and time-consuming, and oftentimes an inspection and selective repairs will be sufficient to make the difference.
There are actually many factors that determine how susceptible a roof can be to being damaged.
1. Design
At the very basic level, the shape of a roof and its positioning are vital towards its longevity. Flat roofs may be attractive but definitely cause more problems than pitched ones, so if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, snow or hail, this is pretty much a no-go. On the other hand, if you’re in a part of the country where the weather is generally mild or predictable, this may not be such a bad idea.
Other factors include the way the house is facing and the materials used. The side that’s facing the sun most of the day must be stronger than the other so that things don’t break down prematurely. High-quality roofing materials are also preferable. Depending on how you got your home, these sort of considerations may or may not be ones you can do something about, but they can be things to keep in mind should you decide to hire an inspector.
2. Construction
Once the design has been finalized, the actual method of construction becomes crucial in having a strong, long-lasting roof. The materials used go beyond just the shingles that line the roof; the insulation, flashing, and more can all contribute to cheap construction work that becomes a huge, expensive mess later on. If you’re in a position to build your own home, then you probably don’t need us to tell you to look out for the roof – but if you’re buying a home, particularly if it’s as-is, make sure you go through all the inspections before signing any paperwork.
Segments of poorly-constructed roofs can usually be renovated at a fraction of the cost of replacement, provided that the design is sound to begin with.
3. Wear and Tear
Just like anything else, the roof is susceptible to wear and tear from exposure to the elements, moreso than many other parts of your home. Again, a lot of this depends on where you live. For example, if you’re in Arizona, damage from hail is pretty much not going to happen so it can be safely ruled out when picking materials for construction, but the extreme heat necessitates specific types of material such as concrete tile. In other parts of the country, the lack of that heat means the advantages may not outweigh the additional costs involved in preparing a home for a tile roof. Also, while the tile itself is typically more durable than traditional shingles, the materials used beneath are not and require regular replacement every so often.
The specific nature of your roof and the steps required to properly maintain it thus depend not only on your actual location but the numerous decisions that went into the building process. If you’ve been in the house for a while and are not sure if the roof needs any type of work done – step outside and take a look, or check around the house for leaks! Any immediately obvious visual cues should be enough reason to call a roof inspector and have them check everything out before disaster strikes.
With just a little time and money to address various parts of your roof, you can make sure to avoid all the trouble of a leak and having a major water damage scenario on your hands.
This article was provided by Superior Restoration, a Temecula water damage company serving the Inland Empire. Superior provides emergency response for all disasters 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
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