If you are constantly clearing out debris from the roof valleys or dealing with damp roofing shingles that don’t seem to get a chance to dry out before the next rainfall, your roof might need to be repaired or even replaced. Missing shingles, damaged flashing, and gutters not draining properly leaving standing water on a low sloped roof are also signs that it might be time to consult with a professional roofer. Reasons not to put off repairing your roof include the value of your home; the weather won’t stay the same; and material costs continue to rise.
Waiting makes roofing problems worse.
Roofing problems don’t magically disappear. Missing, cracked, or broken shingles expose the deck and underlayment to the elements. Since moisture can lead to roofing problems such as deck rot, moss or mold infiltration, and leaks, waiting to repair a roof or get a roof replacement will only make the problems worse (and more expensive).
Increase the value of your home.
When the roof is well-maintained, it gives the impression that your property is cared for. Missing shingles, cracked tiles, and sagging gutters send exactly the opposite message. Whether it’s your forever home and you plan on staying until the kids are in college or you will be selling in the future, good curb appeal – and a roof that is in excellent shape – can help increase the value of your home and improve its resale value.
You’ll save on your energy bills.
If you have noticed that the cost of heating and cooling your home has risen over the past several months, it could be due to roofing problems. A damaged roofing system left to its own devices allows air to escape from your home or enter into it through the gaps and holes of an exposed roof deck. Not only is your HVAC system working twice as hard, it also means you’re energy bills are higher. Getting the roof repaired will help you save money and reduce your energy consumption.
The weather won’t stay the same.
It might be sunny and calm today, but the weather will change sooner or later. Since it’s fall now, that means the days are only going to get colder. A windy day, heavy rains, or a wet snowfall, can make an aging or damaged roof vulnerable to further damage or even roof failure. Having the roof inspected and doing any recommended repairs is a good strategy for helping your roof survive the fall and winter seasons.
Delay could invite a pest infestation.
Delaying roof repairs could potentially make your home a target of pests seeking shelter and a permanent home. Once they discover any holes and gaps in the roof, they can enter through them into the inside of the house, creating potential health concerns caused by their germs and bacteria.
It’s not just small animals you have to worry about. Larger animals such as raccoons and squirrels find parts of the roof – soffit, under the eaves in a gutter trough, nooks and crannies formed by roof protrusions (dormer window, chimney) – an attractive place to build a nest. In addition, they create traffic, travelling to their food source and then back “home” again, potentially causing major damage to vents, soffit, and roofing shingles.
Material costs continue to rise.
While you wait for your roofing problem to fix themselves, material costs will continue to rise. Because of fluctuating interest rates and inflation, supply chain issues, and increased demand, calculating the price of construction materials needed to fix your roof can be changeable making the total cost higher than if the repairs or roof replacement had been done three months earlier.
Wet insulation stops working effectively.
Roof leaks that aren’t repaired as soon as they are detected can spread across ceilings run down interior and exterior walls, and stain siding. When insulation in attic walls becomes wet, fibers clump together, creating pockets of air. This reduces the insulation’s ability to block heat (its R-value). When heat escapes from the attic it can cause the formation of ice dams on the roof and higher energy consumption due to heat loss.
