When it comes to buying or building a home for the first time, there is a learning curve on what it takes to be a homeowner. While owning your own home is an exciting prospect, and there are ample opportunities for fun when it comes to customizing, the responsibilities of homeownership are vast.  Unlike rental properties, the maintenance and upkeep of the property and structure fall on you.  If you’re building a custom home instead of buying a home that is already built, finding the right roofing contractor in Baton Rouge is essential.   If buying an older home, it is wise to ask the last time the roof was replaced or inspected.  Whether you are starting from scratch with new construction or purchasing an older home, there are things you should know about proper roof maintenance you may not have thought of.

Scheduling annual roofing inspections with a local roofing contractor in Baton Rouge, LA is a great way to prevent larger issues from a new roof leak that may have sat undiscovered.  The benefits of having a professional inspection of your roof once a year is their ability to notice small issues you may not have noticed that would have become large issues without their interference. 

Another thing to understand is that your roof will not last forever.  When building a new home, your roof should last a good 25 years if well taken care of, but if purchasing an older home, it is good to find out the age of the roof.  If the roof is old and doesn’t pass inspection, try to work with the sellers or real estate agent on getting “replacing the roof” into the contract, whether the cost of a new roof is taken off the purchase price of the home or the roof is replaced by the previous owner before you move in.  If you’re 10 years from needing a replacement, start saving immediately so that you have the cash on hand when the work is needed. Keep in mind that the previous homeowners may not have maintained the roof as they should, so ask if it is possible to get a roofing company in Baton Rouge, LA to inspect the roof if it is older. If it was recently replaced, get the name of the roofing contractor in Baton Rouge, LA who did the job.

Maintain your gutters! Gutter maintenance is key to keeping the soffit and fascia in prime condition, and as a consequence, your roof.  Poor gutter maintenance can leave soffit and fascia sagging and make your roof vulnerable to leaks and rot.  Keep an eye on your roof as well.  Make sure it stays free of debris and moss.  A home is an investment, and proper maintenance is key to making sure that investment stays viable.