Winter is here which means storms, heavy rain, wind, ice, and snow ……
So, if you haven’t kept up maintenance on your roof throughout the year. Then, read our useful tips on how to keep your roof in good condition:
1. Regular roof inspections are important. First check inside your house. Look for dark or browning spots or blistering and bubbling paint on ceilings. These signs are indicators of water damage. Additionally, you should also, check for damp spots forming near fireplaces and old chimney breasts.
2. If that’s all fine, move on to the loft. If possible, do this on a sunny day, If there’s an issue you’ll see sunlight lancing in through worn or broken shingles. Also, If it’s rained recently, water damage should be easy enough to spot. But, take this opportunity to look for signs of previous leaks or dampness.
3. With the interior of your home inspected, it’s time to move on to the outside of your roof. So, consider your safety here; you should not walk on your roof. If you’re comfortable with heights, then view your roof using a ladder. Roof inspections are preferably carried out with someone on the ground taking notes for you.
4. Don’t fancy going up a ladder? Then, find a good position to view your roof with a pair of binoculars.
Protect your roof, call a Local Roofer!
5. When viewing your roof check for more than missing shingles or tiles. Dark patches or lines can also mean damage. Also, look out for curling and cupping or a large number of chipped and warped shingles. An uneven and spotty roof often means that your roof is getting old and might need replacing.
6. After inspecting the tiles, turn your attention to your chimney stack. It’s important to check the flashing and make sure that it isn’t peeled away, dislodged, or otherwise damaged. Likewise, check skylights, vents, and any structures that penetrate through the roof.
7. Next survey the roof for moss growth as this has the ability to hold water and cause damage. It’s very important that moss is removed and If you catch moss early, you may be able to just sweep it away. However, if moss has established itself then you will need to use professional products to remove it. Again, if this isn’t a job you’re comfortable with, contact a local roofing professional.
Cleaning your gutters is essential!
8. Cleaning your gutters is an essential job, especially around spring and autumn to prevent debris piles up in your gutters. A blockage prevents water from flowing through to the downspouts. If this happens, water can end up soaking into the roof and can start to rot parts of it. Plus, blocked gutters can also damage the property’s foundation which can lead to wet basements, staining, erosion, and a hefty bill to fix.
9. Think about installing a Gutter Brush why you are checking? A gutter brush designed to keep debris out of your guttering system. It requires very little maintenance beyond giving it a jet wash once a year.
10. Finally, take a look at what’s around your roof: are there overhanging trees that could damage? We recommend that keep branches trimmed about 10ft away from your roof.
It’s always good practice to avoid any damage to the exterior of your home. Because any interior damage costs caused by a leaky roof can exceed the cost of fixing the issue quickly.
