Roofing in Wisconsin – Repair or Replace it in 2021?
Your home in Wisconsin should be a safe space for you and your family. But with everything going on in our daily lives, the safety and quality of your roof might not be the first thing on your mind.
Most asphalt roof systems can protect your house for up to 15 years, but the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends that you get your roofs inspected at least twice a year to assess whether any repairs are needed.
Things to Keep in Mind for Your Roof
GET YOUR ROOF INSPECTED BEFORE CLOSING
If you’re buying a new home in Prairie Du Sac or somewhere else in Wisconsin, you should make sure to get the roof inspected before the closing date. A professional roof inspection can save you time and prevent you from needing to do costly repairs years later. This will help with the life of your home and make it easier if you need to sell your home down the line.
PREVENT TREES FROM DAMAGING THE ROOF
Trees can provide shade and protection, but they can also damage your roof if they are not properly maintained. When evaluating your home, don’t forget to pay attention to whether branches from trees are leaning onto the roof, as they can scratch or otherwise harm the materials on your roof. Prevention will be easier than fixing a roofing problem, so you should trim and remove branches that get close to your roof in order to prevent destruction to your shingles.
CLEAN DEBRIS THAT FALLS ON YOUR ROOFING SYSTEM
Branches, leaves, and other debris can clog your gutters and cause water to be retained. If your drainage system doesn’t flow freely, it will place more stress on your roofing, which can lead to damage. Your drainage system should be cleaned out at least twice a year so the roof isn’t weighed down by water and debris.
While you clean your drainage system, you can also inspect the components to look for damaged drain parts or sagging gutters. If you see signs of these, make sure to replace or repair them as soon as possible.
ENSURE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH VENTILATION
Most people don’t think about how important ventilation is when it comes to roofing, but ventilation can be crucial to prevent sheathing and rafting from rotting. Insufficient airflow can cause the materials in roofs to buckle and decrease the effectiveness of insulation.
Proper insulation can ensure that there is sufficient ventilation and enough airflow. Including a gap-free layer of insulation on the floor of a house attic and vapor retardant next to that insulation will be able to stop moisture from rising into the attic and provide protection from heat effects.
CHECK FOR SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO THE SHINGLES
Shingles can be subject to harsh weather and elements so that exposure can lead to deterioration over time. Shingles can become worn out and easily torn off by wind or rain, leaving the rest of the roofing material and interior vulnerable to water rot. At a minimum, homeowners should evaluate shingle integrity once a year. After a heavy Wisconsin storm, homeowners should also check for water stains or signs of loose shingles.
CHECK THE COLOR OF YOUR ROOFS
The color of your roofs can be an indicator of deterioration or damage, which is why it’s important to carefully monitor appearance. All roofing areas, especially those that are exposed to shade and high humidity can become streaked with algae, mold, and fungus. When living in a Wisconsin River town like Prairie du Sac, humidity can be a large factor in your roof health. If not taken care of, the development of algae and mold can harm your roofing and shorten its life, which can later lead to leaks or other exposure to the elements.
If your roofs are particularly vulnerable to mold, you can get zinc strips installed along the ridges. These are EPA approved and created to be environmentally safe. Over the long term, up to 20 years, zinc strips can provide protection from moss, fungus, algae, or mildew.
REPAIRING THE ROOFING
When a roof needs repair, some homeowners may choose to go the DIY route. If you’re interested in doing this, keep in mind that it is dangerous to make repairs on a roof. You should always use a ladder that’s firmly braced and has rubber safety feet to prevent it from moving. Whenever possible, you should also wear shoes with rubber soles if you’re planning on walking on the roof. The rubber soles would make it less likely that you would slip or fall.
If the DIY route is daunting or if your repairs are significant, it may be best to call in a professional. Make sure to do your homework and get different quotes so you can compare contractors in Wisconsin by their work quality and price. You can also ask for referrals and look up reviews when doing your research to see what other people have to say about previous work the contractor has done. Roofs are long-term investments, so paying for quality can save you a lot in time and repair costs later down the line.
ROOFING IN WISCONSIN
We are proud to serve homes in Prairie du Sac and across Wisconsin with quality roofing. Our decades of experience with roofs and repairs have given us the skill and knowledge to get the job done correctly. When it comes to something as important as the roof on your home, you shouldn’t go with an inexperienced contractor or cut corners.
Whether you are looking for roof repairs, new shingle installations, or additions of standing-seam metal roofs, we offer quality products and professional roofing crews that are armed with the experience to provide you with the best final product. We know how important that will be for you and your family.
We want your project to be easy and stress-free. Our crews are equipped with specialized training and we are pleased to offer warranty options.
Call 608-370-2528 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have!
