If you’ve just bought your home, congrats! This is an exciting time in your life—especially if you’ve moved from a rental or living with family members. As you’ve probably already realized, being a homeowner has plenty of challenges along with rewards. For example, you now need to remove snow from your own sidewalks and repair that hot water heater if it gives out! What many new homeowners fail to realize is that the roof on their home needs some attention, too. It’s easy to forget about your roof—especially if it’s in good condition when you move in. However, neglecting your roof can be a recipe for disaster. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your roof stays in good shape and keeps your home safe and comfortable.

It’s easy to miss signs of roof damage—especially since many of them are nearly invisible. To make sure nothing is missed, make a point to schedule annual inspections—and know the difference between an inspection and an estimate. If a strong storms comes through your area, you may need to get more than one inspection per year. When a pro inspects your roof, he or she can look for both small and large signs of damage that either need to be addressed now or in the near future to prevent further problems.

It always pays to have a good contractor in your back pocket—especially if you have concerns with your roof. This will take tons of stress off your shoulders as you’ll always have someone you trust to turn to when you think your roof or other parts of your home’s exterior have suffered damage. Your contractor can also refer you to other professionals like handymen, plumbers, and electricians who can help you out with other needs as they arise.

When our roofs aren’t causing problems, it’s very easy to forget they are even there. You need to remind yourself to give it a little attention—especially after bad weather. We don’t recommend getting on the roof yourself as this can be very dangerous, but we do suggest you get a ladder, lean it against your home, and climb to where your roof is eye level. From here, you can spot things like broken shingles, damaged skylights, or debris that needs to be removed. You can also spot signs of trouble inside. Look for moss and algae, stains on the ceiling, and bubbling paint as they can all be red flags.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Keep your roof in the best shape possible by keeping debris off it, keeping an eye on shingles, and having professional roof cleaning when needed. Maintaining your gutters is also an important part of keeping your roof in good shape. Keeping your gutters free of debris will prevent water from pooling either by your roof or around your home’s foundation. Need a gutter cleaner? Ask your contractor if they perform the service or if they have recommendations.

If you plan to live in your home for the long-term, you need to understand that your roof will probably need to be replaced sometime during your residency. The average roof lasts around 20 years. Depending on how old it was when you moved in, you could be looking at a replacement within a decade of living in your new house. If you already work with a good contractor, you can turn to them when you think your roof is reaching its end days. Your contractor’s experienced inspectors can tell you if it’s time for a new roof and how much it will cost.  

Buying your first home is one of life’s most satisfying experiences. To keep the stresses of homeownership to a minimum, make sure you stay up on your roof maintenance to ensure it keeps your home safe for years to come. Haven’t yet chosen a contractor to help you will your roof issues? Reach out to the team at Siefken today. We’d love to be your contracting partner!