There are several perks of being a homeowner compared to a tenant. You get to capitalize on the property and have a place you can call your own. Meanwhile, one of the biggest drags about home ownership is your responsibility for all maintenance and repairs.
Roof repairs and installation can be a financial burden you aren’t ready for. It’s vital to understand the potential dangers of neglecting your roof and why preventative roof maintenance is so crucial.
Potential Damages
Regardless of the subject, neglection often leads to damage, and the roof is no different. Just because things look fine from what you see on the ground doesn’t mean there aren’t major problems beneath the surface. For your roof, these hidden issues can include structural, water, and insulation damage.
Structural Damage
Serious roof repairs are in order if structural damage to the home’s framework exists. When any structure’s roof shows apparent signs of damage and starts to degrade, everything the roof protects is at risk.
Leaks undermine supporting structures and may eventually cause the roof to collapse, ruining valuable possessions below. Looking past such structural damage might put you and your family’s safety at risk. Ignoring the inevitable repairs will only make things worse and more costly.
Water Damage
The walls and the foundation are vulnerable to water damage if it gets in via the roof. When these materials saturate with water, they become brittle and susceptible to cracking, swelling, and failure. Avoiding roof maintenance may lead to a catastrophic collapse that endangers the lives of the building’s residents and necessitates costly repairs.
Insulation Damage
Keep an eye out for any dripping or otherwise compromised insulation because this vital home feature loses some efficacy while wet. Fortunately, insulation can recover as it dries, but your swift response is still crucial.
Drying wet insulation with a fan or dehumidifier is possible. You can sometimes take damp batts from certain areas and dry them off in a warm location as well. That said, odors that are out of the ordinary may suggest that you have tainted fiberglass. When that happens, it’s time to get some fresh insulation, which is a much larger financial investment than you would need if you protected your roof from the start.
Mold Growth
Rain and snowstorms will make any homeowner nervous if they knowingly have an issue with their roof. The water from a rainstorm or the melting snow causes water to seep through a damaged roof.
When water finds its way into the home through a tiny leak, the dripping could lead to more consequences beyond the compromised building structure. Exposure to water over an extended period may cause the formation of mold and mildew, which presents health hazards and necessitates intensive cleanup operations.
No one wants to see their beautiful home covered with stains that detract from the aesthetic.
A Housefire
The only time a roof being on fire is acceptable is if you’re shouting the lyrics to the classic Rock Master Scott and The Dynamic Three tune.
With mold and insulation damage at the forefront of most homeowners’ minds, it’s easy to lose sight of the possibility that a poorly-maintained roof also increases fire risks. However, we should take the potential of roof fires as seriously as other issues since this form of damage, though rarer, may cause much more damage and loss of life.
Although it seems odd that excessive wetness could lead to fire, that is the case for roof fires. Water may leak with the joints of a junction box, and insulation might clump if it becomes wet. When an electrical current travels through water, it may spark and set fire to anything nearby.
Visits From Critters
Several things will cause a homeowner to stop dead in their tracks, and infiltration from pests is atop that list. Seeing bugs, squirrels, or rats make themselves comfortable within your friendly confines feels like an invasion. Furthermore, the sight of these critters can send shivers down your spine. Unfortunately, neglecting to care for your roof allows these wild invaders to cause chaos.
These pests creep into your house via even the tiniest openings in the roof and do far more harm once inside. It’s possible for rodents to gnaw through wiring, for birds to build nests in your attic, and for insects to invade your home. The expenses and inconvenience of dealing with a pest infestation highlight the need to perform routine roof maintenance. After all, you cannot put a price on never seeing a rat again.
High Energy Bills
It can be a gut punch to see your energy bill continuing to rise, especially if you’re going the extra mile to use less power. But even your best efforts cannot compensate for a poorly insulated roof because this issue makes your thermostat work overtime.
HVAC systems must overcompensate to achieve set temperatures when holes, cracks, or missing or broken shingles exist. Homeowners that put off necessary roof maintenance may waste energy and money.
In warmer areas, warm air may sneak in, forcing the air conditioner to work harder to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. On the other hand, chilly air sneaks inside in cooler climates and raises heating costs. Increased energy consumption and a larger carbon footprint result from constantly-running HVAC systems, something you won’t have to worry about with consistent roof maintenance.
Voided Insurance Policies
Most roofing materials include guarantees or warranties that pay for repairs or replacements if they have issues within a certain time frame. Neglecting roof maintenance, though, may render such offers null and invalid.
Manufacturers often demand timely maintenance and repairs to keep the guarantee in effect. Ignoring maintenance causes homeowners to lose warranty coverage and assume full financial responsibility for any necessary repairs or replacements.
A similar scenario might play out with insurance claims for roof damage if carelessness is clearly at play. Homeowners’ policies will have better coverage if the policyholder takes appropriate preventative measures and promptly addresses any roofing issues. If they don’t, they risk having their claims rejected or their coverage decreased, leaving them with substantial out-of-pocket costs.
Decreases Home’s Value
Ultimately, neglecting a roof and all its negative effects can ruin your home’s value. The visual attractiveness of a home will take a major hit if the roof is in poor condition. The outward evidence of neglect may dissuade potential purchasers or renters, resulting in lower bids or a lack of interest from renters.
Regarding energy efficiency, a questionable roof may lead to inadequate insulation, making it more difficult to keep the inside at a reasonable temperature. A poorly maintained roof might turn off potential buyers or renters looking for an environmentally friendly home.
Delaying roof repairs might lead to more severe damage, increasing the expense of fixing the roof. Potential purchasers will factor in these added costs when deciding whether to invest in the property.
Timely roof repairs are essential for preserving or boosting a home’s value. Preserving the roof’s condition and safeguarding the property’s overall value requires regular inspections and prompt maintenance.
Now that you understand the potential dangers of neglecting your roof, you shouldn’t hesitate to call A-Rite Construction! We pride ourselves on being a roofing and siding company you can trust will do a top-notch job at a fair price. Get a free estimate within a day, as we always meet our clients within 24 hours.
