Perhaps nothing works as hard as your roof when it comes to sheltering your home from the natural elements and keeping it properly insulated.
Unfortunately, the roof is also one of the areas that escape the attention of most Blackburn homeowners until a leak or a crack becomes noticeable. If left unchecked, minor issues could escalate into bigger problems requiring frequent roof repairs.
Sometimes, even with the best roofing services in Blackburn, your damaged roof may not be salvaged and you might have to go for costly roof replacements as the only solution.
Thankfully, you can prevent many of the common roof problems by carrying out regular maintenance and preventive checks. Investing little time and effort into preventative maintenance can save you the hassles of making frantic calls to the local roofers in Blackburn.
As one of the most trusted roofing contractors in Blackburn, we’ll be more than happy to show you how to get started.
Roof Inspection
This is where most homeowners in Blackburn go wrong. They put off checking their roof on a regular basis or simply forget to do it. At Chorley Rooftech, we recommend you thoroughly inspect your roof at least thrice a year. This will allow you to spot small issues that might result from seasonal changes. Regular inspection is the only way to catch them before they get worse.
Ideally, early spring is the best time to look for any damages that the winter might have left. Lately, we’ve been experiencing hotter summers, which means a higher potential for roof damage from the harsh rays of the sun. So checks done during early autumn could reveal signs of sun damage.
While weather extremities such as high winds, thunderstorms, and heavy snow or hail are the biggest factors that add assault to your roof, daily exposure to natural elements also deteriorates your roof’s life.
How to inspect:
- Begin your inspection from the inside. Look for damp stains or darkened areas on the ceiling, any sign of mould or odours.
- Check if there are any cracks on your internal and external walls. Such cracks may be a result of damaged pipes and conduits. Pro tip: Use binoculars to inspect blind spots that cannot be viewed by naked eyes.
- Look closely for broken or missing flashing, shingles, and fascias.
- Flat roofs are particularly susceptible to water pooling, which can severely weaken the roof decking and cause leaks.
- Check for green plant matter that might be growing on your roof. This is most likely moss, which retains moisture and can lead to water seepage, rots, damaged shingles and decks, and more.
- See if your gutters and downspouts are clogged by leaves and debris.
- Make sure to do damage checks after every storm and during periods of heavy snowfall and rain.
If you notice any of the above issues, run them through your roofing contractor immediately. Schedule a professional inspection with them, so they can get to the root of the issue and offer remedies to prevent further damage.
It’s a good idea to get a professional roof assessment done a few times initially, so you can learn what to look for during your regular roof inspections directly from the experts. When in doubt, always get in touch with your roofing contractor.
Roof Maintenance Tasks
Doing regular maintenance is the best way to prolong your roof’s life and avoid roofing repair expenses. Here are some tasks that should be a part of your roof maintenance routine:
- Clear your roof of leaves, twigs, and debris. You can use a rake or a brush to scrub clean the roof surface and other reachable areas.
- Remove any leaves or debris that might be stuck in the gutters. If the debris is hard to reach, flush it out using a garden hose. Installing gutter screens or covers can help to reduce debris blockage.
- If your house has a chimney, make sure to clean its vents and interior with a brush.
- Trim any overhanging trees as they could be a potential source of build-ups of fallen leaves that might clog your gutters and downspouts. They also pose a hazard during high winds and storms.
- If your roof has a moss problem, use a roof moss remover.
If you have a busy schedule or wish to get these routine maintenance tasks done by professionals, you can hire our roofing services in Blackburn as well as Bolton, Leyland, Preston, Lancashire, and across the Greater Manchester area.
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