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 getting an annual roof inspection or simply avoid it. 

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

For over 30 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, you’ll learn:

• What roof maintenance is 
• How a roofing contractor maintains your roof
• 3 reasons why roof maintenance is important

What is roof maintenance?

Roof maintenance is the periodic checking of the condition of your roof and all the vulnerable areas susceptible to potential problems. It’s also the best way to keep track of your roof’s age and when it’s time for a roof replacement. 

Depending on the type of roofing material, it will be annual, biannual, or quarterly maintenance. However, I always recommend maintaining your roof at least once a year. 

Just know that roof maintenance isn’t free and can cost anywhere from $120 to $400, depending on the roofing contractor. However, most companies offer maintenance programs for a flat fee that comes with other great perks. 

How does a roofing contractor maintain your roof?

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. 

Inspects the overall condition of your roof

The first thing a roofing contractor inspects during roof maintenance is simply the health of your roof. They’ll look for any potential leaks, damage, and the overall condition to ensure it’s fully functioning. 

And as I said, this is also the perfect time to determine how much time is left until your roof needs to be replaced. 

Checks 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. 

Removes debris sitting on your roof

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. Sitting debris also becomes oversaturated the longer it’s left to sit, which damages and shortens the lifespan of the shingles below. 

Looks for signs of animal intrusion

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. 

Ensures your roof vents are fully functioning

Your attic’s ventilation system and its roof vents are crucial to a 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. 

Inspects your 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. 

3 reasons why roof maintenance is important

At this point, you know what roof maintenance is and what’s maintained on your roof. Now, you may think roof maintenance is a way to get more money from you. 

You invested a lot of money in your roof, so it makes sense to also invest in its long-term health. After installation, the only way to do this is through roof maintenance. 

Don’t believe me? Let’s look at the 3 reasons why maintenance is crucial to your roof. 

1. Roof maintenance prevents future problems 

The biggest reason why roof maintenance is important is that it prevents future problems. Even something like a minor issue that isn’t caught 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 there are multiple leaks, you’re looking at even more expensive damage. Not only that, but you’ll also have to pay for the roof repair. 

With roof maintenance, you’ll get ahead of expensive problems before they can start. 

2. Roof maintenance maximizes the life of your roof

As I said, you invested a lot of money in your roof. So, you’re probably expecting to get as many years as possible. 

With maintenance, your roof’s life is maximized, which means longer protection and more ROI. For example, the most common roofing material in the United States is architectural asphalt shingles. 

With proper installation and attic ventilation, an architectural asphalt roof should last around 22-25 years. Regular roof maintenance ensures you get the maximum amount of years and maybe a few more.

3. Roof maintenance gives you peace of mind

One of the biggest benefits of getting a new roof is the peace of mind it provides. Just like a properly installed roof, regular roof maintenance ensures that peace of mind lasts for decades. 

During their 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 maintenance inspection 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 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.