With regular maintenance your home’s roof can be a major asset, improving curb appeal, increasing property value, and protecting your loved ones from rain, snow, and other extreme weather.
The summer is the perfect time to conduct repairs and inspections thanks to the longer days and warmer weather making access and investigation a much easier task than would be the case in other seasons.
Identifying problems as soon as possible will help you prevent disasters such as flooding and other weather damage as well as saving you from facing much larger repair bills in the long term.
Here are the 8 most important things to remember when conducting roof maintenance:
1. Look out for common signs of repair
Your roof goes through a lot, being exposed 24 hours a day to whatever the Scottish weather can throw at it.
Rain, heat, ice, and snow all have the potential to increase the speed of deterioration, increasing the risk of leaks that could damage your home’s interior.
Some of the more obvious signs of a damaged roof that you will be able to spot through a simple visual inspection include missing/broken tiles, shingles that have collected in the gutters, or a discoloured roof.
It is recommended that you always use a professional to inspect your roof as they will be able to do so in the safest possible manner and will know exactly what to look for.
2. Protect your roof from harmful UV rays
Your roof can be damaged even on the calmest of summer days with UV rays and high heat causing a number of potentially serious issues.
Heat and heat fluctuations can cause your roof to decay, warp, and crack.
Consider applying a coating to your roof that protects it from UV rays, controls temperatures, and helps avoid corrosion.
3. Clean your gutters
Blocked gutters lead to a build-up of water that can seep through gaps and cracks in your roof, damaging property and instigating mould growth.
Some easy DIY ways to clean your guttering include using a leaf blower, power washer, or garden hose.
If you are concerned, hire a professional gutter cleaning company that will have all the debris and blockages removed in no time at all.
4. Remove vegetation
Moss and algae growing on your roof will absorb water over time, increasing in weight, and causing sagging.
It will also increase the likelihood of mould growth as there will be more moisture present on your property.
A professional roofing contractor will be able to get rid of moss and other harmful plants as part of a general roof clean, keeping your roof in great condition and maintaining a healthy and safe environment.
5. Inspect your attic
Inspections of your roof should not only be conducted on the exterior and assessing the attic space between your living space and the roof is just as important.
Keeping an eye out for problems in your loft can help you to deal with underlying problems before they reach your ceilings.
Some of the things to look out for when conducting an attic examination includes water leaks, stains, mould, rust, and damaged insulation.
Unlike exterior examinations, an attic check will not require you to use the services of a professional unless a serious problem is detected.
6. Keep tree branches trimmed
Any branches that are hanging close to your roof and may cause damage if they were to fall should be trimmed.
As doing this could bring about the very disaster that you are trying to avoid, you should get an expert in to complete this task.
Failing to deal with low hanging trees can result in a number of serious issues in the event of a storm including destroying tiles, clogging gutters with leave and trigs, and smashing windows.
7. Don’t forget the flashing
Metal flashing, installed between your roof and obstructions such as chimneys and skylights, is vital to keeping your home weatherproof.
Faults with flashing are often the cause of rook leaks and should be given specific attention during your roof inspection this summer.
Loose nails, holes, and broken seals are clear signs of flashing deterioration, and a roofing professional will be able to identify and repair such problems if they have developed.
8. Create a schedule for ongoing maintenance
Amongst all the busyness of everyday life, roof maintenance can be easily overlooked.
However, this isn’t something that should only be done once in a blue moon, and by creating a schedule, plus a maintenance checklist, you will be able to keep your roof functional and fresh for many years to come.
Your schedule should note all the specific areas of your roof that require the most attention and remind you to contact a professional at www.Vertex-roofing.co.uk when required.