Cold, Hard Proof that your Neglecting your Roof
Lansing, Michigan - Okay, so you just sat down after a hot, long and sweaty day out in the yard. You planted a couple shrubs, trimmed a few trees, mowed the lawn, and even swept your porch and driveway. Of course, this is nothing new for you; you probably do this quite a few times throughout the year. All the while, your family is inside folding clothes, straightening up their rooms, and washing last night's dishes. As it stands, you and your family spend a lot of time, and put a lot of effort in to, keeping your home up to par.
After all, this is the place where you spend most all your time. You sleep here, eat here, watch movies together here, have friends and family over - all under one roof. So why is it that we tend to neglect the very same roof that's protecting us from all the earth's elements? Your roof may be one of the only reasons your home, and everything inside of it - including you and your family - isn't flooded with rainwater. So, why is it that we spend so much time trimming, blowing, sweepin and cleaning, but hardly any time, if any at all, maintaining our flat roofs Michigan?
Is it because we inherently assume that, as long as our roof isn't leaking, or doesn't show any signs of wear and tear or damage, that it's just okay? And why is it that we don't see more people up on those shingles in the same manner that we see them sweeping their front porch? Maybe it's because we're afraid to get up on that ladder. Or maybe it's because we're just afraid of heights in general. Regardless of the reason, it shouldn't be that way.
Although your roof may not need the same amount of time you dedicate to your yard and interior, it does call for some of your time. Getting up on your roof every few months to sweep off those pesky pine needles or check for wear and tear may be all that's needed to prevent any future costs for repairing or reconstructing your roof. But before you dive in to the task, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Before you climb, search and find
Doing a quick search online for "maintaining my roof" can yield all sorts of helpful tips and pointers as to what to look for while you're up there. Just like any other process, doing a bit of research can help eliminate any questions you might have, and save you some time and money in the long run. Nowadays, with most research available within a few clicks, performing this preliminary work is most likely going to be the easiest part of the task.
Have no fear, gather your gear
Getting up on your roof may not be something you're used to. Or, if you're like me, you may even have a slight fear of heights, which could be one of the reasons you've never actually climbed up on your roof in the first place. Have no fear! Just make sure you have a sturdy ladder to get you there. Do a quick checklist of the things you'll need while you're up there such as a broom and your smartphone (to take pictures of any potential issues) so you're not in for any surprises once you're up there. If you don't own these things, chances are, your neighbor will. Ask them kindly if you could borrow the tools you'll need, they'll most likely have no problem with that. Of course, if you have no neighbors, or if you just don't feel like asking, you can try renting the tools you'll need from your local hardware store.
If in doubt, call for help!
The most important thing to remember is: you're not superman! Nor are you a roof specialist (at least we're assuming you're not). And if that's the case, there's no harm in calling a professional contractor. Especially if the damage is already done. If you see any missing or broken shingles, find any cracked caulk, see any rust spots on your flashing, or find any cracked or worn "boots" around your vent pipes, those things are better left for the pros to handle. Most reputable contractors will even provide free estimates, so again, there's no hurt in leaving it to the pros.
So the next time you find yourself out in the yard trimming some trees or mowing your lawn, take a few minutes to climb the ladder. You'll be surprised to find how just a few extra minutes every few months might actually save you lots of time and money down the road.
After all, this is the place where you spend most all your time. You sleep here, eat here, watch movies together here, have friends and family over - all under one roof. So why is it that we tend to neglect the very same roof that's protecting us from all the earth's elements? Your roof may be one of the only reasons your home, and everything inside of it - including you and your family - isn't flooded with rainwater. So, why is it that we spend so much time trimming, blowing, sweepin and cleaning, but hardly any time, if any at all, maintaining our flat roofs Michigan?
Is it because we inherently assume that, as long as our roof isn't leaking, or doesn't show any signs of wear and tear or damage, that it's just okay? And why is it that we don't see more people up on those shingles in the same manner that we see them sweeping their front porch? Maybe it's because we're afraid to get up on that ladder. Or maybe it's because we're just afraid of heights in general. Regardless of the reason, it shouldn't be that way.
Although your roof may not need the same amount of time you dedicate to your yard and interior, it does call for some of your time. Getting up on your roof every few months to sweep off those pesky pine needles or check for wear and tear may be all that's needed to prevent any future costs for repairing or reconstructing your roof. But before you dive in to the task, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Before you climb, search and find
Doing a quick search online for "maintaining my roof" can yield all sorts of helpful tips and pointers as to what to look for while you're up there. Just like any other process, doing a bit of research can help eliminate any questions you might have, and save you some time and money in the long run. Nowadays, with most research available within a few clicks, performing this preliminary work is most likely going to be the easiest part of the task.
Have no fear, gather your gear
Getting up on your roof may not be something you're used to. Or, if you're like me, you may even have a slight fear of heights, which could be one of the reasons you've never actually climbed up on your roof in the first place. Have no fear! Just make sure you have a sturdy ladder to get you there. Do a quick checklist of the things you'll need while you're up there such as a broom and your smartphone (to take pictures of any potential issues) so you're not in for any surprises once you're up there. If you don't own these things, chances are, your neighbor will. Ask them kindly if you could borrow the tools you'll need, they'll most likely have no problem with that. Of course, if you have no neighbors, or if you just don't feel like asking, you can try renting the tools you'll need from your local hardware store.
If in doubt, call for help!
The most important thing to remember is: you're not superman! Nor are you a roof specialist (at least we're assuming you're not). And if that's the case, there's no harm in calling a professional contractor. Especially if the damage is already done. If you see any missing or broken shingles, find any cracked caulk, see any rust spots on your flashing, or find any cracked or worn "boots" around your vent pipes, those things are better left for the pros to handle. Most reputable contractors will even provide free estimates, so again, there's no hurt in leaving it to the pros.
So the next time you find yourself out in the yard trimming some trees or mowing your lawn, take a few minutes to climb the ladder. You'll be surprised to find how just a few extra minutes every few months might actually save you lots of time and money down the road.
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