When it comes to increasing and maintaining the value of your home, you might think of all of the comfortable and lifestyle changes you can make to turn it into a more appealing and versatile space. However, there are some parts of the home that can tank their value if you ignore the fact that they need to be taken care of. Few are as important as the roof. Here are a few reasons you should give it a look over.
Get your mind in the gutter
While it’s not quite as serious as the other issues we’re going to cover, you should be checking your gutters at least once a year. Especially after fall, when there are plenty of leaves flying around, gutters can get blocked up. Cleaning your gutters isn’t too difficult but if you leave them clogged, then rainwater isn’t going to be able to drain properly. When this water starts cascading down the side of the home, it can damage the materials over time. However, it can also penetrate inside, leading to leaks, mold, and mildew.
Keep an eye out for chips, cracks, and missing tiles
If it’s safe and you are confident in doing so, then you should consider going up to inspect your roof. If not, it’s worth paying a professional to do so, either. You want to keep an eye out for any signs of tile disrepair, whether they are chipped, cracked, are missing pieces, or even missing entire tiles. If there are any weak points, then rainwater can begin to fall in and soak through the material underneath to get directly into your attic. You want to act on this and repair the damage as quickly as possible to make sure that water damage doesn’t spread through the home.
Look for signs of a roof past its best days
Even if your roof isn’t showing any visible signs of damage, if it has been there for over a decade, then it might begin to approach its expiration date. Look for the signs of a roof that has aged past its usefulness, including sagging, moss, moss, discoloration, and the like. You might want to have it inspected and consider a roof replacement. It’s not something that needs to be done very often, but it’s not an expense you want to skimp on if you plan on avoiding leaks, water damage, and perhaps even total roof collapse.
Check the interior too
Aside from the problems that are clearly visible on the exterior, you should look inside the attic as well. Attics can be musty on the best of days, but if you are starting to see signs of dampness, any leaks, or rot that is affecting the wooden structure inside, then there’s a good sign that you have a leaking roof, even if you can’t see any exterior damage, and should look for repairs.
A roof that’s not doing its job is going to cause all manner of trouble for your home. Keep the tips above in mind and make sure you’re working to keep your roof in good condition.
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