Why is Roof Maintenance Important?

We all know our cars need regular maintenance, like an oil change or tire rotation. But did you know your roof needs maintenance as well?

If you answered no, then you’re not alone. Unfortunately, most people don’t consider maintaining their roof or simply avoid it. 

The truth is maintenance is a crucial part of protecting your roof's health and saving you money. But I don’t expect you just to take my word for it without backing it up. 

For over 35 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand how to maximize their roof investment. Because of this, I’ll break down how maintaining your roof does just that. 

In this article, I'll answer:

• Why is roof maintenance important?
• What does roof maintenance look like?
• How often should a roof get maintenance?

Why is roof maintenance important?

A new roof will cost tens of thousands for most homeowners in Nashville, TN. This is a huge investment, so it makes sense to take care of it. 

And once installation is done, roof maintenance is the only way to do this. However, there's much more maintaining your roof does for your home and wallet. 

Maximizes the life of your roof

After investing thousands in a new roof, you're expecting to get as many years as possible. Roof maintenance ensures your roof's life is maximized, which means longer protection and more ROI.

For example, a properly installed architectural asphalt shingle roof should last around 22-25 years. Roof maintenance ensures you get the maximum amount of years and maybe a few more, but neglect could see it's life cut short.

Keeps track of your roof's health

An inspection is a big part of roof maintenance. Not only will your roofer check your roof's overall condition, but also vulnerable areas prone to leaks.

This makes roof maintenance crucial to keeping tracking of your roof's health as the years pass. It's also the best way to stay on top of how it's aging to determine when it’s time for a roof replacement. 

Without regular inspections, you have no idea how your roof is currently doing. Even worse, you're letting potential problems go unchecked. 

Saves you money by preventing future problems

Speaking of potential problems. Roof maintenance actually saves you money by preventing costly issues before they can happen.

Even a minor issue can turn into a major issue in just a matter of a year or two, maybe even six months. For example, a cracked pipe boot is a simple and inexpensive fix.

But if it’s not caught before the leaking starts, it can cause $300, $400, or even up to $500 worth of damage to your ceiling. If left alone too long, you’re looking at even more expensive damage that goes beyond a standard roof repair.

Gives you peace of mind

The last thing you want after getting a new roof is to think about it. With regular roof maintenance, you get peace of mind that lasts for decades.

During the inspection, your roofing contractor will either catch potential problems or give your roof a clean bill of health. Even if your roof needs repairs, the problems were caught before they had the chance to become serious.

This gives you peace of mind after every time your roof is maintained by knowing everything checked out a-okay or problems were caught and taken care of. And the next time a big storm hits, you can sit back and relax because you don’t have to worry about water getting in.

What does roof maintenance look like?

After learning what roof maintenance is, you’re ready to learn what’s actually done when a roofing contractor is up there. While there’s a lot to inspect, let’s break it down into 6 easily digestible ways a roofing contractor maintains a roof. 

An inspection of the roof's overall condition

As I mentioned before, an inspection is a big part of roof maintenance. Your roofer will look for potential leaks, storm or other damage, and the overall condition to ensure it’s fully functioning. 

And don't forget, this is also the perfect time to determine how much time is left until your roof needs to be replaced. 

Check for cracked pipe boots

Pipe boots are the neoprene (synthetic rubber) flashing around the plumbing or vent pipes that come through your roof. Over time, cracks form that allow water to follow the pipe into your home. 

This is actually one of (if not the most) common roof leaks in residential roofing. During roof maintenance, all pipe boots are checked and replaced if needed. 

Remove sitting debris

One of the most important pieces of roof maintenance is removing sitting debris, especially in roof valleys. When leaves, sticks, or other debris build-up, a literal dam forms on your roof.

This causes water to back up, get under the shingles, and leak inside your home. Debris can also become oversaturated the longer it sits, which damages and shortens the lifespan of the shingles below. 

Look for potential animal intrusions

Your attic is the perfect safe place for squirrels, raccoons, and other small animals. They can severely damage your home by causing a leak, chewing on the electrical wiring, and creating a biohazard with their waste.

Unfortunately, animals usually access your attic through your roof by creating large holes. That’s why roof maintenance is the best way to catch the problem early and add protections to prevent animal intrusion. 

Ensure roof vents are fully functioning

Your attic’s ventilation system and its roof vents are crucial to your roof’s lifespan. If your attic isn’t vented properly, your roof will fail prematurely, your energy bills will increase, and health hazards like mold can thrive. 

During roof maintenance, the roofing contractor will check to ensure the vents are fully functioning and there are no blockages. 

Inspect roof flashing

Roof flashing is a thin metal material installed to direct water away from areas where shingles butt up against something (walls, chimneys, valleys, etc.). It’s one of the most crucial roofing components to prevent water from getting into areas prone to leaks.

Your roofing contractor will check for rusting, damage, or installation issues. This is especially important when considering how much water leaks into your home’s interior from failed or damaged flashing. 

How often should a roof get maintenance?

I always recommend getting your roof inspected at least once a year. It’s even a good idea to get it done twice a year to keep up with the changing seasons.  

Now, you may think: “You’re a roofing contractor, so of course, you recommend yearly inspections.” But the truth is, this benefits you and your wallet.

I understand not wanting to keep up with yearly inspections. However, most roofing contractors offer a maintenance program that helps keep your roof running smoothly.

I understand it’s hard to spend more money on your roof for maintenance, especially if there isn’t a current problem. But it’s well worth the benefits that come with a yearly inspection.

How much does roof maintenance cost?

At this point, the one thing that can cause you to hesitate to maintain your roof is how much it’ll cost. I can’t give you an exact price because every roofing contractor is different, and the pricing varies from company to company.

With that in mind, roof maintenance can cost anywhere from $120 to $400 depending on the size, accessibility, and complexity of your roof. Keep in mind, this is before adding any work that needs to be done if problems are found. 

This looks costly on the surface, but maintenance programs make it more affordable by offering other perks like discounted repair rates, gutter cleaning, and more. Depending on the roofing contractor, they may even include certain repairs in the maintenance price.

However, any large problems or repairs will most likely come out of pocket. So, while roof maintenance comes at an expense, it’s well worth the investment.

What else can you do to maximize your roof investment?

The importance of roof maintenance can’t be overstated. Maintaining your roof isn’t free, but spending a little every year or signing up for a maintenance program ensures you get the most out of your roof. 

While maintaining your roof is the best way to maximize it after installation, it’s only one way. There are even more things you can do to ensure your roof investment is fully maximized.  

I want you to get the most out of your investment, so I wrote another article breaking down the other ways to maximize your roof’s lifespan.

Check out 6 Ways to Maximize Your Roof Investment to get your money’s worth when spending thousands on a new roof.