Maintaining your home in Georgia involves routine maintenance on several primary systems, and your roof is of critical importance. Deferring vital maintenance tasks may seem like it saves you money now, but as you allow your roof to wear and absorb abuse over time, you are really just heaping up more trouble for another day.
The costs of deferred roof maintenance can be extraordinarily high – and they usually hit at the worse possible time. The specialists at Roofing Georgia want you to realize just what can happen when you avoid or put off routine maintenance on your roof in North Georgia.
Reduced Efficiency & Shorter Lifespan
Sun, wind, rain, cold and more affect your roof. The Northern Georgia climate provides opportunity for your roof to experience the full range of weather types, including some occasional severe storms. All this impact on your roof can damage and/or wear out components. As these surface components become worn or damaged, they do not perform their designed task efficiently.
For example, damaged or missing shingles that are not replaced quickly allow water to penetrate to the roof decking. Wet roof decking softens, rots and allows water to penetrate further to other components. Weakened roof components do not protect your home from water intrusion, and provide less protection in the event of an impact, such as from falling tree limbs or other debris.
All this damage reduces the lifespan of your expensive roof, necessitating a replacement much sooner than designed, and sooner than you may have expected.
Collateral Damage
The costs of deferred roof maintenance go much deeper. Compromised roof components allow water to intrude and continue causing damage. Water follows the path of least resistance, meaning it will run along beams and structural components to the lowest point. Insulation becomes wet, ruined and ineffective. Ceiling and wall sheetrock becomes wet and damaged beyond repair. Floors incur water damage and begin to warp and buckle.
Before you know it, your valuable possessions have become damaged or ruined from water, or from a ceiling collapse due to water damage. Avoiding some routine maintenance, such as replacing damaged or missing shingles or flashing, has now cost much more in damages throughout your home.
Health & Safety Risks
Water damage from deferred roof maintenance is also insidious. Damp materials hidden in the roof and walls of your home are breeding grounds for harmful mold and mildew. Mold spores travel on the air and can cause significant health problems. Breathing difficulties, allergies, infections and other related health problems are tied to mold infestations.
Often, mold has progressed past a dangerous point before it is even discovered. You may be required to move out of your home temporarily while mold remediation takes place. This can be an extremely lengthy and costly process, in addition to repairing other damage from water intrusion.
Emergency Repairs from Deferred Roof Maintenance
How much will all these emergency repairs cost? And how much will be covered by homeowners insurance when it is discovered that the true culprit is deferred maintenance? Now the cost of replacing a few shingles or power washing your roof doesn’t look so bad. In fact, it could be the most important investment you make this year.
Contact Roofing Georgia to schedule a roofing inspection today. Teams from our Jasper or Hiram office can perform a comprehensive evaluation to discover any damage and recommend repairs. We can provide an estimate, and of course, we are your local GAF Certified Roofing Company, using superior materials and warranted craftsmanship on all our work.
Call us today to learn more or to schedule your roofing inspection in North Georgia today.
