When a roof begins to show signs of failure, the length of time it will last can make a big difference. The roofs we install in Maryland are designed and made to last for several years. Some roofs can be limited in how often they need to be washed, others require more attention when water gets inside, and still others cannot be damaged by heavy rains.
When choosing a roof, it is important to know what else you need to consider when choosing a roof. For instance, if your house needs more insulation or less heating, then a better fit would be the other side of the roof. Or if your condensation needs cleaning, then there would be an appropriate size roof to meet that need!
We can help you find the right roof for your needs at Fort Union Roofing & Heating LLC.
Contents:
Maintenance matters
While a roof can last many years, it is important to take care of it when it does break. When roofing, ceiling height is important. You want your roof to be above a certain height for the whole house to function, right?
When washing your roof, make sure to use a light-colored detergent and water rather than heavy-duty detergent and water. This helps prevent water damage to other parts of the house!
When taking it off after maintenance, make sure not to pull too hard or use anything that could break off due to excessive force. Instead, use a floor joist screwdriver or similar tool and gently pull away. This also helps prevent any potential breakage!
Because roofs are expensive pieces of machinery, we suggest having a professional repair your roof if needed.
Calculate the lifespan of a roof
When a roof is damaged beyond repair, it must be replaced. This can be easily done in-house with the aid of a computer program called Roof Life Estimate. The program will help you calculate how many years your roof will last based on its design and location.
Using data from past roofs and current trends, the program will create a roof lifespan estimate. This is important to do as soon as possible after a storm, because once the sun has gone down and lights are ON, it is too late.
The only downfall to using the roof life estimation software is that it takes a few minutes to arrive. You must have access to the computer and the data needed for creation and assumption of an estimated lifespan at least two days before you need it.
This is why it is so important to have this tool ready after a storm.
Understand the weather conditions in Maryland
When it comes to roofing, there are two main conditions that matter when deciding on the length of a roof: the temperature and the quality of the weather.
To help you understand what these mean, let’s look at them.
temperatures are important because they determine how long a roof will last under it. When it is hot outside, wood can withstand more heat than if it was cold. This is why roofs are usually constructed out of wood or other heat-resistant materials. Temperatures can change rapidly so check them annually!
are important because of what they protect against. A roof that lasts for only a year could be protected from another year of heavy snowfall, hurricane force winds, and lightning damage! By having a good protection period for each condition, you are aware of anything impending danger.
quality of weather is important as well. A bad winter storm will cause severe wind and rain damage to your roof.
Does my roof have leaks?
If your roof is leaking, you should consider having it repaired. The longer a roof is allowed to leak, the greater the possibility of a huge water intrusion. This can result in heavy rain and widespread liquidation.
A roof that has been allowed to dry out following heavy rain is much more likely to break under the continued weight of more water. Luckily, this is less likely as the clouds have passed and light snow has fallen to remove any evidence of such a occurrence.
Dry roofs are recommended for safety reasons as well as being more environmentally friendly. According to the National Roofing Association, approximately 50 percent of roofs are found to have some kind of leaking problem by year-end so now is the time to fix it.
There are several ways to repair a dry roof including using tar or asphalt patching, creating new seams with wood or plastic sheeting, or replacing the entire roof altogether.
Can I see the roof from my window?
This is an important question to ask. Many homes in the state of Maryland don’t have a roof on their home, or a roof that lasts enough time for a homeowner to go by and fix it.
This is very common throughout the country because of roofing trends and popularity. People get excited about roofs and when they don’t, it’s pretty sad. After they get paid attention, they take care of it and replace it when needed.
If you live in a home with a weak roof, you can easily see the effects that weather does to it because of water damage and snow snow snow. You can also tell if your neighbors or people in the area have a roof if you can hear how loud it is on hot days or freezing nights.
A roof is one of the most important parts of a house. If your home doesn’t have one, check out some local guidelines to see if someone else can repair one for you.
How do I know when it is time to replace my roof?
When it is time to replace your roof, you’ll know with either a loud crunch or a peaceful sigh. A roof that is more than 20 years old is like driving on an old car tire. It will last longer if kept up to a regular Maintenance Schedule.
Like any other piece of mechanical equipment, roofs need to be checked and maintained from time to time to keep them working efficiently. Luckily, the weather rarely drops below freezing so there are always ways to keep your roof cool.
The most important maintenance job is checking for leaks! If you see any streams or see signs of leakage, take action immediately.
If the roof needs replacing in the long run, here are some tips for choosing the right one for you.
Can I do the repair myself?
In most cases, yes! In some rare cases, yes, you can do the roof repair yourself. There are specific locations in Maryland where you can do the roof repair yourself.
How Many Times Should You Repaint Your Roof?
The answer to this question depends on what you want to put on your roof.
Some people want to paint their roofs every few years to replace old paint with new paint. Other people want to install awnings or a roof top shelter. Still others just want someone to come out and fix their roofing problem for them.
In most cases, there is no reason not to do it yourself! There are always new ideas and ways to fix your roof when you find someone with the right tools and material.
What is the cost to replace the roof?
Replacing a roof is an expensive way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. There are several ways to cost roof replacement. One way is to get a current roof and then purchase the additional space you need to add on. This is the cheapest option, but can be difficult to tell at time of purchase.
The next highest cost is to buy a new roof that matches the existing one. This requires going to a review site and meeting with a salesperson, which may be expensive if there is no easy savings available. Then there are roofs that require reconstruction such as metal roofs being replaced with asphalt or shakes, or new materials such as tile or vinyl siding installed on top of the old material.
These require going though additional inspections and reviews by licensed professionals before the new roof can be purchased.