If you are a new, or soon-to-be homeowner, you are going to have many responsibilities for protecting and maintaining your investment.
While there are maintenance tasks that help with the aesthetics of your home, such as periodic painting and landscaping, and other tasks, which affect your energy costs and comfort, such as HVAC system maintenance, there is one home system that sits above all the rest – the roof.
If you are new to Kansas City homeownership, you may not be aware of all the issues that can arise with a home’s roof.
Getting to know these factors can help you keep the structure in good, protective condition.
The Roofing System
When you maintain your home’s roof, you are also maintaining and protecting everyone and everything inside your home. Additionally, when the roof is in good shape, you will experience a higher level of indoor comfort and lower energy costs.
The first step in caring for and maintaining your roofing system is to know the parts. These include:
- Outer layer: This is what provides the curb appeal for your home and protects the other components from the elements. Make sure to watch for signs of wear or damage on the shingles or tiles.
- Decking: In terms of Kansas City building materials, the tiles and shingles are fastened to a foundation of plywood, which is the decking.
- Timber: Rafters, joists and other wooden parts that make up the frame of the roof.
- Eaves: These are the part of the roof that extend past the home’s exterior walls.
- Fascia: This is attached to the end of the eaves.
- Gutters: These are attached to the fascia.
- Attic space: Proper attic ventilation is essential for a healthy roof and you should consider this as part of your roofing system. It needs to be air sealed, insulated and properly ventilated.
Ice Dams
As a Kansas City homeowner, you have to be mindful of the development of ice dams on your roof. This occurs when layers of ice buildup on the eaves of your roof. Preventing ice dams is one of the most important reasons that you need to have your attic ventilated, insulated and sealed – it will prevent the warmer air from moving into the attic, melting the snow on your roof and causing an ice dam.
Roof Inspections
When you own a home, you need to make a list of professional home service repairmen, technicians and other service providers.
This includes electricians, plumbers, and, of course, roofers. You will need to schedule a roof inspection for your home at least once a year.
This will help ensure there are no serious issues and that your roof does not have damage that has not been repaired.
When you get to know the facts about your home’s roof you can ensure it remains in good, protective condition. Be sure to keep the information here in mind to protect your home, the roof and everything and everyone that is inside.
