Your roof plays a pivotal role in the protection and structure of your home, and it protects you and your family from the outside elements. However, it's also susceptible to various types of damage that a professional roofing company must fix. If you're curious to learn about your roof, read on for further insight into this important feature of your home.

Inspections

If there's one part of your home that needs consistent inspections, it's your roof. In fact, according to home expert Bob Vila, yearly roof inspections are crucial. You may need more frequent inspections if you spot problems. Keep in mind that the experts at Mr. Roof state that it's best to get inspections in the fall and spring due to the weather. If you live in certain parts of the country, you can expect heavier rainfall in the spring, and moisture can be a major detriment to your roof. Plus, the fall season is hurricane time, and those high winds may lead to the need for a roof replacement.

Size

According to Roofing Calculator, the average residential roof size in the U.S. is about 1,700 square feet. The size of your roof matters when you're thinking about replacing it. Whenever you need to hire a roofing company to update your roof with new materials or completely replace it, you'll pay for that installation based on square footage.

Lifespan

According to Bob Vila, the average lifespan of your roof is about 20 years. However, some roofing can last much longer than that. Did you know roofing materials such as metal and slate have a lifespan of as long as 50 to 70 years? In other words, if a roofing company installs a new structure with certain materials, it may last longer than you. It's something to keep in mind if you have a home you plan to pass down to your heirs. By installing such a durable type of roof, it'll be one less thing for your children or grandchildren to worry about if they take over the home one day.

Ventilation

While your roof doesn't have lungs, it still needs to breathe. Proper ventilation ensures your roof doesn't experience heat or moisture buildup. When such buildup happens, it may cause parts of your roof to expand, which could lead to cracking or other issues. If moisture becomes enclosed within your roof, it could lead to mold in your attic. Once mold begins sprouting in any part of your home, it becomes a health hazard to anyone that lives there, as it can exacerbate or create respiratory issues.

Beyond the Outer Layer

There's more to your roof than meets the eye; it isn't just the outer layer you see from the outside. As any roofing company will tell you, roofs also have to handle insulation, waterproofing, and protective coatings. Depending on its materials, your roof may need additional protective sealing from UV rays to prevent expansion from heat.

No DIY

Many homeowners pride themselves on doing as many projects as possible. While it's great to be handy around your home, your roof isn't the place to experiment with that. First of all, climbing on a roof to do work is very dangerous. However, a trained roofer understands the best safety techniques to prevent falls and slips.

In addition, doing undocumented work on your roof can affect your insurance. If you perform repairs yourself that go wrong and you later need to call a professional roofer, your insurance may not pay for it because of the mistakes that you made. It could cost you a lot to get the necessary work done out-of-pocket. Therefore, protect your insurance and let professional roofers do what they do best!

There's so much that all homeowners should understand about a roof. While it's strong and durable, it can also be fragile and susceptible to damage. That's why you should always have a reputable roofing company handle annual inspections, updates, and timely replacements. Don't play around with the integrity of your roof, as it plays a significant role in your family's safety. If you need work done on your roof, contact our local team at Pa's Construction, LLC today. Our team has been in business for many years and can answer any questions you have.