Roofs aren’t something people think about a lot. Especially with older homes, where the roof looks good and there aren’t any obvious roof leaks or problems, people seem to think it isn’t really needed and won’t call a roof contractor until a problem occurs.
Unfortunately most of the time, the damage is much worse than the homeowner thinks, as after years of neglect, problems occurring out of sight, grew and grew, eventually turning what was once a low cost roof repair into a larger repair or even a full roof replacement or even worse spread through your whole house down to the foundations!
If you are one of those who think yearly roof maintenance and roof inspections aren’t that important if you don’t see any problems. Take into account the common problems we find on a daily basis that are directly related to neglected roofs.
1) Cracks in the Foundation
If you’ve ever had to have your foundation repaired (or know someone who has), you know this is a very costly, invasive repair. Clogged gutters compound this problem by allowing water to pool around the foundation.
2) Roof damage and leaks
You know the signs, discoloration of the ceiling or the appearance of a bulge as though it’s going to burst any time. Congested gutters can result in pooled water freezing up and standing for days or even weeks, hampering the flow of liquid water eventually leading to weakening shingles and wood, causing leaks into the attic and home. Even without freezing water adding to the problem, small amounts of pooled water weaken your roof if left standing.
3) Rotting Wood
Any wood fascia that is on your home can start rotting due to clogged gutters. If left standing, even for a few hours, pooled water will begin breaking down and decomposing the wood in these areas. This causes serious problems and could mean replacing all the wood fascia on your home costing thousands of dollars.
These are just some examples of major damage to your roof, neglected roofs don’t just affect your roof , your roofing system is designed reroute water away from areas where pooled water can cause damage such as driveways and sidewalks, even landscaping can become damaged from improper water flow.
So, before your brush off those gutters and think it won’t be that bad to leave them clogged, do yourself a favor and save yourself some time and money by cleaning them (or having them cleaned) today!
Atlanta Roofing Specialists has been serving Metro Atlanta homeowners since 1993, with decades of experience, we can create a roof maintenance plan that will help your roof meet or even exceed it’s estimated lifetime! Call 770-419-2222 today for a free estimate!