The Top-Down Approach to Home Maintenance Every Homeowner Needs

Do you want to safeguard your biggest investment but don’t want to spend a fortune?

We all think about home maintenance. Heck, every homeowner does it. However, most people take care of their house the wrong way. They tackle small projects first while completely neglecting…

YOUR ROOF.

Roof troubles cause many problems around the home. Water damage, mold growth, structural issues, increased energy bills. You name it. Your roof causing you grief? Chances are you’ll run into several expensive issues.

The upside?

If you take care of your roof first, you can avoid most issues before they even start. Follow a top-down approach to home maintenance and your wallet will thank you in the long run.

In this article:

1. Why roof repair services are the most important home project
2. How much does it cost to ignore your roof?
3. Warning signs that your roof is failing
4. Follow this simple strategy to maintain your home from the top down

Why Roof Repair Services Should Be Your Number One Priority

Let’s think about your house logically for a second.

Your roof provides shelter for everything else beneath it. The foundation, walls, insulation and interior finishes are only there because your roof is in place.

That makes having a healthy roof your number one priority as a homeowner. When you take care of your roof through professional roof repair services, you protect the rest of your home. Ignore it and any work you do inside goes out the window.

A bad roof can lead to:

• Water damaged walls and ceilings
• Insulation losing its effectiveness
• Wood rotting throughout your house
• Mold growing where you can’t see
• Higher energy bills due to poor insulation
• And so much more

Here’s another crazy fact for you.

According to one study done by Verisk, about 38% of roofs throughout the U.S. are either in moderate or poor condition. Almost 4 out of every 10 homes are susceptible to roof-related damage right now.

When it comes to home maintenance, think top-down. The oldest way of thinking about it is starting from the ground and working your way up. Start at the roof and work your way down for many, many reasons.

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense. It stops water from entering and wears before anything else. If you take care of it, your house will look great.

How Much Damage Can Your Roof Really Cause?

The average roof repair job costs just over $700 nationwide. That’s not even enough to buy a mid-tier phone these days.

So what does your roof have that a phone doesn’t? Answers.

When you neglect your roof, expenses start to add up quickly.

Your roof started leaking? That’s several hundred dollars for water damage repairs.

Roof is falling in? Now you’re looking at $10,000 or more for a full replacement.

Needless to say, your roof can be the most expensive component of your house. That’s why you should do everything in your power to maintain it.

Here are some stats that show you just how much damage roofs can cause:

• Roofs in poor or fair condition experienced 60% higher insurance loss costs than good roofs.
• In 2023, roof damage costs totaled over $20 BILLION. Just in roof damage.
• Broken roofs led to 127% more fires in homes than protective roofs.

What you can spend on a roof repair saves you from tens of thousands of dollars in damages. Always think top-down with home projects and start with your roof.

Signs It’s Time to Call Professional Roof Repair Services

Is your roof having issues? Not sure if you need to call for help just yet?

Almost every roofing issue has some tell-tale signs that something is wrong. Learn what to look for and you can save yourself a headache (and tons of money) in the long run.

Keep an eye out for:

• Missing, cracked, or curled shingles
• Granules in the gutter
• Water stains on walls and ceilings
• Sagging spots on your roof
• Visible light in your attic
• Increased heating and cooling costs
• Moss or algae growing on your roof

The great thing about roof maintenance is that you can catch nearly every issue from the ground. Grab a pair of binoculars and check your roof for cracks and missing shingles.

Sure, you should still have a professional inspect your roof once per year. But until then, use your eyes to stay on top of things.

Here’s a free roof maintenance checklist for you.

Follow This Top-Down Strategy When Maintaining Your Home

You know your roof is important. In fact, you know it’s THE most important thing to maintain when owning a home.

So what’s the next step? Where do you go from here?

Here’s how to maintain your home from the top down.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

You should always start with the roof. Give your roofing system a once over. Are shingles damaged? Is there any noticeable decay? Check your gutters for broken pieces of roof too.

There’s no reason to go onto your roof to inspect damage. A professional roofing contractor can do that for you safely and efficiently.

If you do see damage, have it repaired immediately. Don’t wait for small problems to balloon into things you can’t afford to fix.

Clean Your Gutters

This is one aspect of home maintenance that is truly top-down. Water rolls downhill, so if you gutters are clogged, water will back up onto your roof.

Again, water damage is one of the most expensive things to repair. Stop it before it starts by cleaning your gutters regularly.

Inspect Your Attic

If you crawl space or attic is accessible, take a look around.

Look for water damage, proper ventilation, and adequate insulation. Your attic can tell you a lot about the health of your roof.

Check Exterior Walls

Are there any gaps, holes, or other water stains on exterior walls? This could be a sign that roof damage is spreading.

Work Your Way Down

You’ve inspected and maintained the most important aspect of your home. Now you can start thinking about interior projects.

Paint walls, fix floors, and clean carpets. Don’t forget to maintain those things either. We mentioned the top-down approach doesn’t mean ignore the bottom. It just means start there.

Conclusion

You’re going to spend a lot of time and money maintaining your home.

Make sure you do it the right way. The ceiling, your roof, and all protective barriers should be your number one priority.

There’s a reason why we say “it starts at the roof” here at The Roof Doctor. Your roof can cause major, major headaches.

Don’t get burnt by a bad roof. Use the top-down approach to home maintenance and you’ll be happy you did.

Let’s recap…

Start at the roof and work your way down when fixing up your home. If you maintain your roof, everything else will fall into place.