An ode to your roof, the unsung hero of your home – end of ode, but don’t be aloof. Most homeowners don’t pay much attention to their roof until it’s far too late. Massive repairs are incredibly expensive, and a massive waste when you consider the fact that it would have cost far less to simply maintain it (like a car). In order to save money on roof expenses, you should check your roof regularly to ensure it doesn’t need any repairs; if it does, you can be proactive and save yourself a serious pain in the butt by addressing smaller issues as they arise.
Roofs aren’t designed to last forever. As a general rule, you should replace your roof around every 20-30 years (put $10 into savings every week and you can repair your roof and go on vacation while that’s happening).
You can determine if your roof needs to be repaired by going into your attic with a flashlight, tape measure, broomstick, and something to write on. What you are looking for includes: (1) dark stains; (2) a sagging roof; (3) holes or cracks (so go to your attic while the sun is still out); and (4) water damage. If (1) or (4) are present, you need to act immediately; your roof is leaking and that can not only damage your roof, but the structure of your home as well. (2) also indicates there is water damage to your home; this is where your broomstick comes in handy – give it a poke, if it gives easily then you’ve got water damage.
If your roof is damaged, the climate of the area you are in will dictate how swiftly you need to act. Living in Studio City, Encino, Tarzana, or Sherman Oaks provides advantages that other people don’t have in this department. Sure, your roof might be damaged, but we’re not expecting torrential rains any time soon. That said, being vigilante about… or let’s say staying on top of.. your roof is an important habit for homeowners who don’t want to break the bank unnecessarily – repairs are cheaper than replacement.
Repairing your roof will likely cost a couple of hundred bucks, but replacing your roof could cost around $15k. The best way to keep building equity in your home is to avoid wasting your money by protecting your investments.
At the Chernov Team we know that knowledge is power, and knowledge of when to repair your roof, so you don’t have to replace it later, is powerful knowledge indeed. At the Chernov Team, we know that whoever comes to the table most prepared leaves with the most, and the Chernov Team always leaves the table with the most.
