The maintenance of your roof is one of the things you must do as a homeowner regularly. You don't need to spend hours on the roof, but you do need to keep your fixer-upper roof clean. It will be easy for you to keep your roof in good shape if you have some basic knowledge and care practices in place.

This guide will help you determine whether you need to repair, patch, or replace your roof. No matter how big or small the damage is, roofs get damaged. Here's how to go about fixing it.

How Long Do You Plan to Stay in Your Home

You may not want to replace your roof if you aren't planning on staying in your current home forever. It is possible, however, that you will have trouble selling your home if it has a bad roof when it is time to sell it.

Having your roof inspected is important if you intend to stay in your house and your roof has already been repaired several times and is between 15 and 20 years old. Look around and see if anything needs attention. At least once a year, or twice if things look fine, I strongly recommend getting on a regular maintenance plan that includes an expert checking on your roof. You will be able to extend the life of your roof this way.

Roof Repair Solutions

Roofs and gutters aren't things you consider every day when it comes to your home. Your house would not be complete without them. Gutter systems control and redirect water that hits your roof, and roofs provide structural support and shelter from the elements. A house without them is at risk of leaking, foundation damage, water damage, mold development, and mildew growth.

In that case, you might consider the following solutions if you notice that your roof is damaged.

Fix the plumbing vent boots.

You might be experiencing leaks in your roof because of cracks and broken seams in the boots around your pipes. Replace damaged screws, plates, or seals where the pipes and seals have torn or rotted away.

Patch small holes early on

It is often the case that small holes can lead to larger problems. It may take years for leaks and rot to become noticeable, increasing the risk that the issue will become too large and then be noticed. In most cases, small holes can be readily repaired by replacing nails or patching them with flashing. About six months is the average lifespan of a patch.

Use flashing.

The purpose of roof flashing is to direct water away from entering roof openings and cracks by directing it away from the intersection of the roof and the wall. Flashing can be a simple and cost-effective solution to solve the problem if there are any cracks in the roof.

Consider reroofing.

A full roof replacement is necessary when a roof is old or severely damaged. It is possible to reroof your roof, however.  There are several signs that shingles are damaged, including curling, cracking, mould, rot, and looseness. Replacing only damaged shingles is a good idea. You might be able to use this if, for example, the damage is in a confined corner or area of the house. Hurricanes and tornadoes are common in areas prone to extreme weather, so it's important to repair any damage as soon as possible.

How to Determine When Reroofing is Needed

A tree falling on your home or extreme weather damaging your roof may indicate that your roof needs to be replaced. There are times, however, when it is more subtle. Cracks, loose shingles, curling shingles, mould, moss, rot, water damage, dark spots, holes, and exposed nails are all signs that your roof needs to be replaced.

Call Louisiana Roof Crafters at 985-238-4575 for more information. We service areas in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Hammond, Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, and New Orleans, LA.