The Roof Above Your Head
Often when you’re busy designing or renovating a home, the narrow focus on getting things just right can make you forget about important things. Picking the right chairs, the ideal shade of wallpaper or the perfect carpet can overshadow vital elements like the garden, adding Roofwindows. On the website of the roofwindow brand Solstro you can find some usefull tips for installing a roofwindow all by yourself! To bring in more light or, as we’ll discuss in this article, the roof.
The roof is obviously an important part of your property, so it’s essential you keep on top of it and keep it regularly maintained. If you’re selling a house, having the roof renovated before you sell will increase the value of your property.
Assess Regularly
Firstly you need to check your roof for visible signs of wear. Around autumn, look for excess leaves and debris clogging up gutters. As the winter draws close, ensure you check the roof after any particularly heavy winds or rain showers to avoid sneaky leaks. During the coldest months, snow and ice can linger on a roof and cause damage over time.
As per the experts at homecarecontractors.com, you should check for damaged or missing shingles. Also look out for signs of moisture or rot, especially if you’ve had recent water or drainage problems. Just like inside a home, mould can cause all kinds of trouble.
Be careful when accessing your roof also. Avoid walking around on it, as your footsteps can damage the surfaces and cause them to come loose.
Clear out debris
Cleaning out the debris that frequently infests gutters is another regular maintenance step that shouldn’t be ignored. Despite dead leaves being at their most common in autumn, you should be checking your gutters regularly as a small blockage can cause havoc for a roof.
You also need to keep an eye out for moss, which needs to be cleared away if it’s absorbing too much moisture.
Inspect the loft
Having a look inside your loft can quickly tell you if there are any spots missing in your roof’s coverage. Daylight shining through holes is a dead giveaway, but also stay vigilant and try to spot streaks or staining that can show where water is entering your loft.
Check and possibly re-apply flashing
Water entry is the real enemy of roofing and one of the reasons you have to perform such careful checks and maintenance. One of the first weapons in the defence against water is flashing, a crafty method developed to prevent water entry. Flashing can be made from a range of materials, but its purpose is to protect areas of your roof where water could enter.
While it’s better left to an expert, you can install flashing yourself. Some lead free flashing comes in easy-to-apply rolls and is great for giving a new lease of life to your roof.
Make Additions
One of the easiest ways to keep on top of your roof is to install extra precautions. While it’s advisable to hire roofing professionals, some work can be done alone. You can breathe new life into an ailing roof by installing a new gutter system, which should help prevent water damage. You can also install lightning rods in storm-heavy areas to prevent potential damage.
Final thoughts
Keeping an eye on your roof can really benefit you in the long run. Regularly inspecting and cleaning gutters, removing moss and potentially installing new flashing can save you a costly roof repair and prevent leaks. However, be aware that roof work is dangerous. If it’s out of your comfort zone, don’t hesitate to hire a trained roofer.
