Keeping “on Top of It”: the Very Best Ways to Look After Your Roof

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An incredibly important thing, yet seems like an alien concept to the vast majority of us. If you are looking to ensure your home is functioning at its best, you need to take care of it. Ultimately, when it comes to roofing, it’s the thing you don’t see that can make the biggest impact. While you don’t necessarily need to make massive changes, a ladder and a little bit of elbow grease can make a big difference. Here are some key approaches to looking after your roof.

Keep the Gutters Clean

Gutters are incredibly important because they help to control moisture and ensure there is proper water drainage. If your gutter is blocked, this can have a detrimental impact on your home because you may experience water damage, and a build-up of mould and algae, and it can result in the roof decking rotting.

You need to ensure that you have good-quality gutters as well. They come in many different types of materials, including aluminium. You can visit the site of roofing material providers like Clear Amber to find out about aluminium gutters to see if they would suit you. However, if you are happy with the gutters you’ve got, you need to regularly clean them of any debris to ensure they are working correctly. It’s also important to know when to replace the gutter to avoid any problems that can be caused by holes, splits, and cracks.

Regular Inspections

A very simple thing, however, checking your roof will help you address minor issues that can escalate to damage that can wreak havoc on your home. It’s always worth checking for problems with the shingles sagging, cracks, as well as if there’s damage to the flashing so you can pinpoint those underlying problems sooner rather than later.

On the topic of inspection, make sure that you keep an eye on the ceilings and the lofts in your home. Leaks can come through the roof, and if you see any signs of moisture accumulating or any water penetration and damage, this is likely because your roof is deteriorating. It’s also important to make sure that your loft has the right insulation as this will prevent condensation that can cause damage to the roof and also prevent heat loss.

Trim Trees and Ensure Proper Landscaping

If there are trees close to the home, this may look great; however, limbs and branches can cause damage to your roof if they are on the verge of breaking. Additionally, if it damages your roof, it provides easy access for critters to invade your home.

As tree branches and other aspects of landscaping grow too close to your home, think about trimming them back a few feet so they don’t cause any problems, especially if you are living somewhere that has a lot of bad weather.

Landscaping services are invaluable, not just to ensure trees don’t damage the roof, but also any ground landscaping will provide enough space on the ground for the gutters to drain water away from your home properly.

Remove Mould and Moss

Mould, moss, and algae can be detrimental to a home. Moss and moulds thrive in moist areas and can result in issues with the shingles, meaning you could lose these in bad weather, allowing moisture to penetrate the roof.

Mould over time can cause damage to the structure of your roof, which is why you need to get rid of these as soon as possible. Thankfully, it’s easy to get rid of moss and mould. You can either remove it by hand, or if you are concerned about moss and mould growing back, you can make a mixture with water and bleach, leave it to sit on the offending mould and moss for up to 30 minutes, and wash it away. You should make sure you do this safely and wear the appropriate protective clothing.

Look for Cracked or Missing Shingles

While roofs are built to last for years, any adverse weather can cause some damage to roofs. You can inspect your roof from the ground to see if there are any areas with missing or damaged shingles, or if you want to get up close and personal, you can always call a professional to look at the roof. During any period of high temperatures, shingles can shrink and crack, and when combined with storms, your shingles can be torn off your roof.

Understand the Signs of Roof Damage

We’ve talked about shingles, but understanding the key signs of roof damage can also make you far more vigilant. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

• A collection of granules in the gutter, as this can be a sign of curling, cracked, or broken shingles.
• Malfunctioning gutters and downspouts.
• Water stains on the ceiling, walls, or in the loft, which can indicate a moisture or leakage issue.
• Other indicators such as mould growth, damaged plumbing vent boots, and dirty or clogged soffits.

Being Proactive

It’s so important to not just check for problems, but we should also be ready to repair damages immediately. What’s more, the right type of prevention will make a massive difference in the overall longevity of our roof. We should conduct a thorough inspection of our roof at least once a year, preferably during the spring or autumn months, to check for any signs of damage or deterioration. But there are a few other things that we need to do at least once a year:

• Clean the roof, as we should do this once a year or every two years, especially on newly installed roofs. This will eliminate any debris but also give us the opportunity to ensure that the roof is in good working order.
• Any identified damages should be repaired promptly. It is common sense, as this will prevent any issues from escalating and causing more damage. However, if we ever see an issue with the roof, it can be easy to let it slip our minds because we’re not actually looking at the problem every single day.
• For certain roof types like metal and slate, we should apply coatings and sealants that add a protective layer that will safeguard roofing from the elements. Depending on where you live in the world, you may experience a lot of adverse weather, but it is always advisable to ensure that you can protect your roof as best as possible, and additional sealants and coatings will make a big difference.
• Replace the caulk around the flashing to maintain the integrity of the roof. Every year, we should replace this because caulking expands and contracts as per the changes in the weather.

Learn the Anatomy of Your Roof

We should all be a bit more resourceful, especially when it comes to issues of the home. The internal and external parts of the roof can seem alien to us, of course, because we’re not roofing experts. However, learning the anatomy of your roof will provide a number of fantastic benefits:

• An understanding of the different components of a roofing system will give you a more accurate insight into how best to approach a problem when an issue arises.
• It helps to understand the repair costs, diagnose problems, and more importantly, avoid roofing scams. So many roofing professionals can pull the wool over our eyes and charge us a lot of money for something that we could potentially diagnose ourselves.
• Having familiarity with the structure enables homeowners to maintain and care for their roofs, preventing damage and prolonging the lifespan.
• A well-maintained roof will increase the home’s overall value.

Having a proper understanding of a roof may seem like overkill for some people; however, it is vital to get an insight into the anatomy of a roof because it will ensure that you have that all-important insight into what makes something tick.

Make the Most of It!

While many home improvement upgrades can provide a lot of benefits to the inside of the home, regular roof maintenance also provides so many positives:

• Improved energy efficiency, as identifying and repairing the areas where air is escaping or entering the building can reduce energy costs and increase the comfort of the living space.
• It can help your home last longer, resulting in fewer repairs over time, which increases the overall value of your home.
• It can prevent issues like minor leaks from escalating, which can potentially save on costly repairs in the long run.
• Periodic maintenance helps to identify and address issues that could lead to health hazards, such as leaks causing mould growth.
• It extends the lifespan of the roof, protecting the investment.
• It improves the overall appearance of the home, also known as curb appeal, making it more attractive to potential buyers because of an increase in value.

Whatever type of roof you’ve got in your home, you need to protect it. Proper care, maintenance, and regular inspections will ensure that you give your home the best possible support. Our roofs are going to protect us from every little problem, so we should do everything we can to look after them.