Importance of Roof Maintenance
Roof maintenance is probably not something that you think about very often. You possibly look after your garden, decks, and other parts of your property – there is always a list of jobs to do around the house. But how often do you take the time to look after your roof?
Similarly, you know the importance of looking after your car (or motorbike or boat). Filling it with the proper fuel, checking the oil, and having regular mechanical checks are all part of owning a vehicle and keeping it in safe working order. The same is true for your roof. Keeping it in good condition helps it last longer and keeps you and your family safe.
Why, then, is roof maintenance not high up on your home maintenance list? Perhaps it’s the “out of sight, out of mind” principle. Because you can’t really see up there, you don’t think too much about it. Maybe we just take our roofs for granted. They’re large and expensive, so we just assume they’re going to last a long time without us worrying about them.
But we do need to pay attention to them. Regular roof maintenance and roof repairs are very important. This is an area where the more preventative maintenance you do, the better. If you invest a bit of time, effort and money on a regular basis, you’ll avoid hefty repair or replacement bills that you could have prevented.
What does roof maintenance include?
Roof maintenance includes regular checks, cleans and repair work to keep it in the best condition possible. That might include:
- checking for damage, cracks, holes
- checking for and replacing damaged tiles or shingles
- repairing flashings where required
- touching up paint
- keeping the roof watertight
- repairing any damage caused by bad weather
- inspecting for damage caused by animals
- checking for nests
- checking seals around skylights, chimneys and other joins
- clearing gutters, drainpipes, downpipes
Why is roof maintenance so important?
Your roof is exposed to the weather 24/7. It sits under the heat of the sun on those glorious summer days, and it gets hit by wind, rain and snow (depending on where you live) on those not so pleasant days. Unlike deck furniture that you might cover or garden tools that you store away, there is no shelter for your roof.
Not only does your roof get exposed to all kinds of weather, but it also gets climbed on by animals and hit by tree branches and other debris in the wind. If you’re lucky enough to live by the sea, you may also be unlucky enough to have seagulls who like to perch on your roof (and leave their droppings). There’s a lot that happens up there that you don’t see.
Regular roof maintenance helps in many ways:
- helps keep your home warm and dry
- helps prolong the life of your roof
- helps prevent cumulative damage that ends up costing more to repair
- helps keep your home looking its best
- helps maintain the value of your home
- helps you save money and avoid larger repair costs
- helps ensure any insurance claims are processed smoothly
- helps you sleep soundly, knowing your home is safe, warm and dry
So it’s essential to have someone climb up and check your roof on a regular basis. We don’t recommend homeowners do this themselves. We’ve heard of too many stories of people falling off roofs and ladders. We’d rather you give us a call at Sumich Plumbing & Drainage.
How often do you need roof maintenance?
At Sumich Plumbing & Drainage, we can do a one-off check if you think there may be damage to your roof. Or we can talk to you about a regular schedule where we check and maintain your roof on a regular basis. That may be monthly, or it may be every few months – it all depends on the age of your roof and what your surroundings are like that may affect the condition of your roof (for example, trees, seagulls, strong winds by the sea, etc).
If you are interested in having our team come out and do a roof maintenance check after a storm, just give us a call and we’ll book a time that suits you.
How do I know if I need roof maintenance or a roof replacement?
Having regular maintenance done on your roof will extend its life. So the idea is to have regular roof maintenance done in order to avoid having to buy an entire new roof before it’s absolutely necessary. A new roof should last about 20 years, depending on the type of roof it is and the conditions around where you live.
The Sumich team can do a thorough roof check and advise you on whether there are any areas that need roof repairs or whether a roof replacement may be necessary in the near future.
If you do need to replace your roof, talk to the professionals at Sumich. Formed in 1991, we have been looking after Kiwi homes for over three decades.
The Sumich Difference
There are a number of plumbing and drainage companies in Auckland, so why choose Sumich?
Founded by owner-operator Chris Sumich in 1991, Sumich Plumbing & Drainage has one of the most experienced teams operating in Auckland. Our team has a combined experience of over 100 years and we’ve seen a comprehensive range of scenarios and solutions over the years. Clients trust us to give honest, transparent advice and service.
As registered members of the New Zealand Plumbers, Drainlayers & Gasfitters Association, we are professional, licensed Auckland plumbers for all of your plumbing, drain laying, gasfitting and heating needs. Give us a call to see how we can help.