The roof is perhaps the most overlooked structural components of the home. Homeowners look at it simply as an umbrella, a shield against storms and the scorching heat of the sun, when in fact, it’s a vital part of a system that plays a major role in the safety and structural integrity of the house.
The roof, therefore, is a major investment. And like all other investments, it needs regular maintenance—especially if you live in Idaho, where rains and storms are a common occurrence.
Why Should I Inspect & Maintain My Roof?
The domino effect of a neglected Idaho roof…
It’s important to understand that roofs in Idaho are under constant stress from the sun, wind, rain, occasional thunderstorms, and snow. It expands and contracts with the changing of the seasons and every freeze-thaw cycle, gradually breaking down the roofing materials and causing the development of cracks or damaged shingles.
Any roof damage provides an opportunity for leaks and water seeping in, which can then cause additional damage to the roof and all the other structural components of the home, including the walls and the foundation. Moisture corrodes metal components, degrades the mechanical integrity of the insulation system, and adds excessive weight to the roof, which may eventually cause a roofing collapse. Damaged areas may also provide an entrance for pests, such as rats, insects, and even bacterial colonies.
In that sense, therefore, neglecting your roof can lead to a domino effect and can lead to extensive—and expensive—repairs later.
Regularly maintenance of your roof is the only way to extend its service life as well. Sure, roofing technologies have improved significantly over the last few decades, and it has increased the life expectancy of roofs to at least 20 years. But even so, without regular roof maintenance, its expected service life will only likely be 10 to 15 years.
When: How Often Should I Inspect & Perform Maintenance on My Roof?
Roofing maintenance should be done at least twice a year—once before the months with the most severe weather, and once after. In Idaho, maintenance checks are ideally scheduled during:
- Spring (between March and June)
This is the best time to perform a maintenance check, as the weather forecast will generally change to brighter skies and calmer conditions. This is also the time when leaves have finished falling and the rainy season is right around the corner. It also allows you to address any winter damage that occurred in the past months. Cleaning the stains and removing algae and other organisms during this time will allow the roof to go back to reflecting sunlight efficiently as well. In some cases, however, spring can be a difficult time for maintenance if the area is experiencing rain. If the yard is wet and soggy, roofing contractors will have a hard time with inspections. Fortunately, there are professional teams willing to go above and beyond, and willing to conduct the task with extra care.
- Fall (between September and December)
This allows your roof to prepare for the upcoming winter snow and rain.
In between the two major maintenance schedules in a year, it also pays to conduct minor inspections. Flashings will require more frequent maintenance, and the same goes for anything that penetrates the roof, such as the fixings, pipes, and flues, as this ensures “weather-tightness”.
It’s important to note that conducting maintenance checks during the winter, however, is not advisable, as cold weather makes it nearly impossible to properly do specific tasks properly. This includes replacing shingles, since asphalt shingles cannot be sealed properly unless they are warmed to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You simply need to keep an eye on the snow and ice.
The How: What Do I look For?
Start by looking for some visual clues…
You may visually identify some roofing issues inside the house. Water stains, mold, and unexplained odors may be an indication of a leak, likely caused by a hole or crack in the roof. You may also inspect the roof outside and from the ground using a pair of binoculars. During your inspection, look for the common issues with all roof types, such as the following:
Piles of leaves, branches, and other debris on the roof or in valleys (may puncture and tear the membrane, as well as clog drains and create drainage and puddles)
- Curling, buckling, blistering, and missing shingles
- Caulk and rust spots on the flashing
- Worn, cracked, or shrinking rubber around vent pipes
- Formation of moss and lichen
Other issues to look for depend on the type of the roof. Built-up roofs, for instance, may have air pockets, which occur naturally as there is no solid film of bitumen between the piles, allowing the blisters to grow.
The less you walk up on the roof, the better for your house and the safer for you. Your best bet in this case is to leave the task to the professionals.
Rocky Mountain Exteriors: Idaho Roofing Contractors with an Unmatched Level of Service
The roof is not a “build it and forget about it” component of your home. Taking care of it regularly with the help of professional roofing contractors like Rocky Mountain Exteriors is the best way to ensure it will withstand the harsh outdoor elements in Idaho.
We have a team of highly experienced roofing professionals in Boise and Twin Falls who are dedicated to saving you from dealing with a major catastrophe any time of the year. And in the unfortunate event that your roof requires more than just maintenance, we offer repairs and replacement, too.
Call Rocky Mountain Exteriors today. We provide outstanding quality service and dedication to our clients.
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