Roof Maintenance, Like Auto Maintenance, Will Get You More Years Out of Your Roof

Most people would never drive a car for years without an oil change, new tires or a brake check. We know that skipping routine maintenance leads to bigger, more expensive repairs, and a shorter life for the vehicle. Your roof works the same way.

Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements, yet it is one of the things homeowners think about least, until there is a visible problem. By then, a small issue that could have been fixed quickly has often turned into water damage. Regular maintenance is how you avoid that and get every possible year out of your roof.

After rainstorms, or the extreme dust and wind Arizona is known for during monsoon season, roofs often develop small problems. These get overlooked because there is no visible damage and no water coming through the ceiling yet. Common examples:

• A cracked or slipped tile exposing the underlayment to sun and rain
• A few lifted or missing shingles after a windstorm
• Flashing that has loosened or a sealant that has cracked in the heat
• A cracked rubber boot around a plumbing vent
• Dust and debris clogging a valley, gutter or flat-roof drain
• A thin spot in the coating on a foam roof

None of these may cause a leak today. All of them can cause one eventually, usually during the next heavy rain, when you least want to deal with it.

• Oil change = routine inspection. A professional inspection one to two times a year, ideally spring and fall, catches wear early.
• Tire rotation = drainage care. Keeping gutters, valleys and drains clear helps water flow off the roof evenly instead of backing up.
• Replacing worn parts = targeted repairs. Swapping a broken tile or resealing flashing costs little compared with what it prevents.
• Fresh paint and wax = coatings. Foam and coated roofs need periodic recoating, roughly every 5 to 10 years depending on the coating, to protect against UV.
• The major service = underlayment or system renewal. Tile underlayment often needs attention around 20 to 30 years. Planning for it beats waiting for it to fail.

• Spring: Before summer heat and monsoon season, which officially begins June 15.
• Fall: After monsoon season ends September 30, to repair storm damage before winter rains.
• After any significant storm: High winds, hail or heavy rain are good reasons for a check.

Regular maintenance does more than prevent leaks. It helps your roof reach, and sometimes exceed, its expected lifespan. It also keeps your options open. A well-maintained roof gives you time to plan a replacement on your schedule, rather than being forced into one by a sudden failure. And if you sell your home, a roof with a maintenance history is easier to evaluate.

Just as different vehicles have different service schedules, different roofs need different care:

• Tile roofs: Replace broken tiles, keep valleys clear, watch for birds nesting at the eaves and plan for underlayment renewal as the roof ages.
• Shingle roofs: Replace lifted or missing shingles after wind, watch for granule loss and keep attic ventilation working well.
• Foam and coated roofs: Keep drains clear, repair punctures and blisters promptly and recoat on schedule.

• Scan the roof with binoculars after storms.
• Look in the attic for stains or daylight.
• Keep trees trimmed back from the roof.
• Watch ceilings for new stains.

Please leave on-roof work to professionals. Roofs are dangerous, and tile cracks easily underfoot.

We are glad to come out, inspect your roof, make repairs and even give you a quote for an entire roof if that is what you want. Repairs include a 2 to 5 year warranty. For a prompt appointment, call 480-988-9250, or learn more about our repair and maintenance services.