2. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE STEPS
As one of the largest exterior parts of your
home, your roof is subject to constant
temperature changes, and is exposed
to dirt and debris (and other unpleasant
things) on a daily basis. Inevitably, it will
show signs of wear and tear over time. A
smart homeowner, however, knows that
proper roof care can make a roof last
longer.What’s involved?
3. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE STEPS
ROOF CLEANING
You can use high-powered equipment or go with
a simple cleaning solution. Either way, cleaning
will help remove algae, dirt, and moss from the
roof surface. Cleaning should usually be done
twice a year – around the start of summer,
and during fall. But many experts recommend
cleaning as soon as stains show up.
Be careful with using pressurized water on
your roof, though, as improper application may
damage the shingles.If you need power washing,
it’s still best you hire a professional.
MAINTENANCE
There are two types of roofing maintenance
programs, and one does not preclude the
necessity for the other. In fact, running these two
programs simultaneously is important.
Preventive. Preventive maintenance seeks to
address issues before they crop up, so a big
part of this program involves spotting potential
problems and treating them before they become
full-blown issues. This is also something that a
professional should do. Preventive maintenance
should also be carried out bi-annually – before
and after the start of the worst of the weather.
4. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE STEPS
The National Roofing Contractors Association
recommends the following to be checked during
an inspection:
• Buckling, blistering, or curling shingles
• Loose or damaged material around roof
penetrations
• Granules in the gutter
But why do you really need to go through all that
trouble? In part two of this e-book, we go over
the reasons why you need roof care.
Reactive. Reactive maintenance, on the other
hand, is corrective repair.Weathered flashing, for
instance, requires replacement. In some cases,
professional equipment may be necessary.
Reactive maintenance is particularly necessary
after a bad weather event.
For commercial-use buildings, predictive roofing
maintenance is also conducted. This type of
maintenance uses advanced technology to
determine the ideal timetable to have repair work
done, as well as examine the condition of various
roofing components.
5. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE NEED
We talked about what roof care is and
what it usually involves in Part One. Now,
let’s discuss why the effort is worth it.
Although it is a fairly straightforward
process, roof care delivers many benefits
to homeowners – foremost of which is the
prevention of possible issues.
6. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE NEED
When done properly, roof care prevents:
DAMAGE TO THE ROOF
Many roofing issues start out small, and only
grow bigger when left untreated. Moss, for
instance, does not just look dirty; it can take root
in the shingles, which can lead to decreased
functionality. Improperly fastened flashing, too,
can promote leaks which, in turn, can promote
structural failure.
PREMATURE REPLACEMENT
Preventing damage to the roof goes hand in hand
with managing potentially expensive repair costs.
A paper by Massachusetts’s Division of Capital
Asset Management and Maintenance cites the
industry-wide belief that for every dollar spent on
preventive maintenance, a property owner can
save five dollars on reduced emergency repairs
and interior damage, as well as extended roof
life. And rightly so – as a functional roof is a roof
that does not have to be repaired frequently or
replaced prematurely.
7. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE NEED
LOSS OF AESTHETIC APPEAL
If you let your roof issues sit, you do not only run the
risk of your home suffering from physical damage.
There will also be unpleasant cosmetic changes,
and they can greatly curb your home’s aesthetic
appeal. This is especially bad news for homeowners
interested in putting their property on the market.
Buyers will simply not want to live under a roof that
does not please them.
INSURANCE PROBLEMS
Some insurance carriers have also been known to
cancel policies for roofs that they find too dirty. An
unclean roof, to them, carries a lot of risks that they
do not want to cover. It is important to understand the
terms of your policy that concern your roof – and to
adhere to those terms.
REDUCED PROTECTION
Finally,awell-caredforroofisaroofthatperformswell.
In times of weather extremes, for instance, a roof is
often our home’s best form of exterior protection.If you
don’t take the time to have it cleaned and inspected,
problems ranging from moisture penetration to ice
dam formation can occur.
What else do you get out of it? In the last
installment of our e-book, we give you additional
incentives that validate why roof care is not just
an advantage, but a necessity.
8. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE ADDITIONAL REWARDS
We talked about the process of and the
need for roof care in the first two parts
of this e-book. To cap things off, we
next cover the additional benefits of roof
cleaning and maintenance for your home.
9. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE ADDITIONAL REWARDS
A ROOF THAT IS ENERGY EFFICIENT
An unmaintained roof can have leaks – which
can have a direct effect on your roof’s insulation.
According to facility management experts,
having wet insulation is like having no insulation.
When moisture has seeped into the insulating
material, its thermal resistance gets damaged
because water is a conductor of energy.This is an
especially bad thing to happen during the winter.
In addition, it can accelerate the deterioration of
other roofing components.
Proper roof care sets out to spot, treat, and
prevent leaks. Subsequently, it helps keep the
functionality of the differing roofing components
– which helps maintain the structural integrity of
the entire roofing system.If your roof is especially
equipped for energy efficiency – such as a cool
roof – maintenance will help ensure that it will
keepconvertingenergysavingsintocostsavings.
A ROOF THAT LASTS
Roofing Contractor magazine says that around
80 percent of roofs are replaced prematurely,
which is a big waste of money. A well-maintained
roof that can potentially last for 30 years, for
instance, can save you up to 50 percent over its
entire lifespan, as opposed to a roof that may
need to be replaced, say, every 15 to 20 years.
10. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE ADDITIONAL REWARDS
A ROOF THAT LOOKS GOOD
Regular cleaning and inspection also make your
roof – and your entire home – more attractive.
And this holds true, regardless of whether or not
you intend to sell your home.
When you find a potential contractor, schedule
a consultation to better gauge how he or she
works.If possible, also solicit feedback from past
clients.
A FINAL WORD
Roof care does not only involve the technicalities
of conducting regular cleaning and maintenance.
You also need to be picky about who you hire to
doit.Make sure yourchosenroofing professional:
• understands your specific goals and your
roof’s condition
• provides a detailed maintenance plan
• works according to industry standards
• is available for emergency repairs
• is licensed or registered, depending on your
area
• has extensive industry experience
• offers comprehensive warranties
• delivers great customer service; and
• prices competitively
11. THE BASICS OF ROOF CARE ♥
THE ADDITIONAL REWARDS
GOODRICH ROOFING
3401 Vassar Drive NE Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 219-4450
www.goodrichroofing.com
