Roof restoration: what you need to know

With so many styles, it’s easy to see how a roof can be the most distinguishing part of your home. Between the natural elements of snow, rain, sun, and wind, damage to your roof is inevitable. If left unattended, the overall look of your home can be compromised.

It is unlikely anyone will disagree that, when it comes to weather protection, the roof is the most important part of your house. This is one main reason roof restoration is so important. Not only does the roof protect the inside of your house, your roof also protects the overall structure of your house. Since there is no such thing as maintenance free roofs, it is important as a homeowner to ensure regular inspections to avoid costly roof replacements down the road.

An essential part of understanding roof restoration is to know that roof restoration is not the same thing as roof replacement. Whereas roof replacement is exactly as it sounds – a complete replacement of the roof of your home – roof restoration is comprehensive repairs – simply fixing things that need fixing. It is essentially a proactive way to prevent the need for roof replacement.

If you are familiar with home building and roofs, you may be able to perform your own roof inspection, otherwise, it is advisable to hire a specialist. There are people who perform roof inspections by surveying the entire area. They look for things such as clogged gutters, broken tiles, lifting edges, cracks, leaks, and even loose roof mounted equipment that may cause damage.

A roof that is constantly wet will encounter problems sooner rather than later. All drainage areas around the roof should be free of debris such as leaves, tree branches, and flying garbage like plastic bags. Even misguided toys can cause problems if they prevent drainage.

The edges of your roof will also need to be inspected. Roof corners are particularly susceptible to constant winds and battering rain that can cause them to lift. Everything on top of your house should be sealed and tight fitting.

Mounting your own satellite dishes, air conditioning, and antennas may save some money but not if they are mounted improperly. Heavy items like these can cause a lot of damage if they are loose. When doing roof restoration, it is important to ensure fixture holes are properly sealed to avoid moisture penetration. Double check that your roof mounted equipment is not going to fly off in the first strong wind. You may want to hire a professional to preform an inspection of the perimeter of your home looking for leaning trees that may fall on your roof, potential branch damage, or any other signs of possible damage from flying objects.

Investing in roof restoration can have your roof back to near original shape, restore its value, and extend the life of your home.