We get a lot of questions about home insurance and roof damage and what’s covered. The truth is, if a homeowner fails to maintain their roof, the likelihood of something like a leaky roof being covered isn’t very good. But if a homeowner does everything they can to maintain and care for their roof, this is beneficial not only for insurance purposes, but for the overall condition of their home too.
With that in mind, here are some tips for taking care of your roof to keep it in the best condition possible.
Keep it clear of debris
One of the most important components of caring for your roof involves keeping it clear of debris like leaves and other materials that collect on its surface and in the gutters. This debris holds water which can lead to deterioration, and it can also mask and damage underneath it that you might not know about.
Routine inspections
Part of being a homeowner means caring for your property, which involves inspections to make sure it’s in the best shape. At least twice a year, once in the beginning of spring and once in the beginning of fall, your roof should be carefully inspected — either by you or a professional. Otherwise, damage could go unnoticed leading to major problems down the road. Proving your roof is regularly inspected and maintained will also go a long way with insurance companies too!
These are some of the things you’ll want to look for during an inspection:
- Loose or missing shingles
- Wet spots on the ceiling of your home
- Sagging areas of your roof
- Algae growth
- A major collection of debris
- Detached gutters and downspouts
Address damage or potential damage right away
If you notice loose shingles on your roof or bits of light shining through to the attic, these are things that should be addressed right away. If there’s a small leak occurring, you might be tempted to leave it for now, but this is dangerous for many reasons. In the event more significant damage takes place and you need to make an insurance claim, coverage will likely be denied if you knew about the damage and didn’t address it immediately.
