When you become a homeowner, not only do you get the pleasure of feeling the sense of accomplishment, but you also get a new collection of responsibilities on your shoulders. Your home’s infrastructure is the most important thing for keeping it a safe and viable place for you and your family. Forget the decor and all the bells and whistles that come with overhyped trends in interior design. If the skeletal woodwork holding up the foundation of your house is weakened or comes apart at the seams, it can spell disaster not only for the property’s value but also for the safety of you and your loved ones. Therefore, the roof is a very important element to keep in excellent condition, with continual maintenance procedures in place. Of course, even if you’re the most conscientious homeowner, things can get dicey if you live in a state like Iowa or North Carolina that tends to experience inclement weather most of the year. Hurricanes and thunderstorms are, of course, things to be on the lookout for, but experiencing heavy snowfall in the winter can also cause your roof to – horror of horrors – leak.
There are different options to consider if your roof is vulnerable to the elements, from cleaning your gutters, installing shingles, among other DIY fix-its. At the same time, you may be wondering when you should hire an expert to help. Of course, you can do some things yourself, but others are better left to the pros. The following are a few things to keep in mind.
Spot the Cause
Before you decide to undertake a DIY home improvement project, or if you should hire a pro, try to spot the cause of the damage to your roof. When you notice a leak on your roof, immediately start the hunt for any signs that the roof is worn or missing some crucial roofing materials. It is best for you to start by performing a very thorough inspection of your shingles and vent pipes to see if they have maintained their strength or if there is a clear sign that something has gone awry. To be more precise, here is a check-list to give you an idea of what to be on the lookout for:
- Check the shingles to see if one of them is broken or missing
- Inspect the area in which the different sides of the roof are joined.
- The sealed substance in between the flashing can be prone to leaks if it isn’t routinely maintained
- Look at the part of your roof that has been caulked; if there are any breaks in the caulk, then this may be the cause of the leak
- Clean the gutters and make sure there isn’t a lot of refuse blocking flow, which would expedite a leaky roof.
Choosing the DIY Route
Out of the scenarios described above, there are a handful of times when you can take the DIY approach. Of course, if you don’t possess the requisite experience with roofs or home improvement jobs, you should immediately hire an expert. As the professionals at MasterPro Roofing Solutions LLC will attest, many DIY projects actually make the roof problems so much worse than they need to be. So, always proceed with caution.
Now that PSA is out of the way, we can get to the things you can confidently fix by yourself, provided you are a bit handy around the house. Firstly, if the roof caulk is the source of your woes, then it’s an easy thing for you to navigate. Start by replacing the damaged caulk and ensuring that the gutters, shingles, and other aspects of the roof are in excellent condition. Then you can go ahead and replace the caulk.
Another easy thing for you to handle is if the problem is with the gutters. If this is the case, then all you need to do is clean them thoroughly. Extract all the dead leaves clogging up your gutters and simultaneously check their functionality. This process should be done once a month to avoid leaks when you’re faced with inclement weather.
When to Call a Pro
Once you’ve had a stab at solving the problem yourself, if you still cannot find or fix the source of the leak, it’s a sure-fire sign that you need to call the pros right away. Whether you’ve had a minor or severe leak, you may need to consider replacing your roof in its entirety before another disaster strikes. It is the sensible option to call a pro immediately to avoid major issues.
The good thing about reaching out for help is, of course, you will be able to ensure that your roof is fixed properly the first time around. Any money spent on the roof issues that a company fixes will be recouped in spades when your home is safe from further property damage, which will even help to increase its value. After all, a home is an investment, and it makes sense that you would want to get a healthy return on it in due time.
When you call the professionals, they will, of course, begin the process by undertaking a thorough inspection to determine the problem. Once the repairs are completed, they will offer you a list of routine maintenance repairs to help circumvent the issues from ever happening again. Gaining their insight is incredibly helpful for how you will need to approach things moving forward to protect yourself and your family best.
You may be a go-getter, and the type of person with a natural knack for problem-solving. That’s great, but you shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking you can take on repairing your home yourself. Damage to the roof can be extremely tricky, and you may be able to fix a leak in only a handful of instances. Other than that, it would serve you well to call the experts to help you solve the problems early, before a true disaster strikes. Another important factor to consider is not to accept the first estimate from a professional but seek a few opinions for the best possible results and value for your money.
