system is constantly exposed to wear, so keeping an eye on its condition through regular inspections and maintenance is important. Taking a reactive approach to roofing care—waitinguntil the roof leaks before calling for repairs, for example—can put your roof in danger. In today’s post, Roofing and More, Inc. discusses the dangers of neglecting your roof.
— Your roof is part of an insulated enclosure that helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures. A leak on your roof will defeat the purpose of insulation and raise your indoor heating and cooling requirements. Consequently, your heating and cooling systems will consume more energy to make up for the temperature differences, which will lead to high energy bills.
2. Mold Growth — Mold thrives in warm and humid places, which makes a leaky roof the ideal environment for mold growth. As it grows, its spores can spread to your indoor spaces and trigger allergies and respiratory problems. It can also cause unpleasant odors and hard-to-remove stains. It can also make
roof replacement more expensive, as mold-ridden decking and structural support will have to be removed, even if it’s only been used once.
3. Weakened Structure — A standard residential roof support structure is mostly made of wood that, while treated for moisture-resistance, is not waterproof. Prolonged exposure to moisture from roof leaks can compromise the structural integrity of your roof. This can result in rotting and sagging, to the point where the roof could collapse depending on how heavy the outer roofing material is.
4. Lowered Property Value — Even if you have no plans to sell your home right now, you probably wouldn’t want a home that is slowly being devalued. Also, consider your needs in the next five to ten years. Maybe you will need to move to a bigger home that will fit your growing family. In the event that you choose to sell your home, you can, at least command a good price for it thanks to a well-maintained roof.
5. Voided Warranty — If your roof is still under warranty, you should check its terms and conditions. Most of today’s roofing warranties count neglect as an exception. This means your coverage may be voided if you can’t present proof that you have been keeping up with roofing maintenance upon filing your claim.
Roofing and More, Inc. is your leading provider of roof repair and installation services. Give us a call at (703) 467-0206. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Alexandria, Fairfax and McLean, VA, as well as surrounding communities in Virginia.
