Did you know that it takes more than 38,000 people in the country to help us maintain our roofs in good condition? The roofing activities industry in the UK alone is now worth about £6 billion each year.
As much value as people get out of roofing services, they might not have to spend so much on them if they knew more about roof maintenance tips. In the long run, it is much more efficient to maintain your roof than to pay for expensive repairs. On top of that, even the best repairs may fail to help your roof live up to its intended lifespan.
There is a long list of benefits you can only enjoy when you take the time to invest in proper maintenance. Read on to learn all about the top maintenance tips you need to know to get the most out of your roof!
1. Conduct Regular Roof Inspections
One of the most important habits to form when it comes to maintaining your roof is giving it regular inspections. Some homeowners live in a home for many years without ever taking even a glance at the roof. However, if you don’t know what is going on with your roof, you won’t be able to solve problems when they are small and developing.
That means that you may be in for a big surprise someday when a problem gets so big that you can no longer ignore it.
As a general rule, you can usually schedule your roof inspections about one year apart. When you examine your roof, you should make sure to look across the whole top surface of it as well as under any awnings that stick out. It’s also a good idea to look at your gutters and downspouts to make sure that there are no problems with them.
Whenever possible, it is often a good idea to schedule your annual roof inspections during a dryer part of the year. That way, if you discover anything wrong, you will have plenty of time to resolve it before you run into heavy rains.
When you start inspecting your roof for the first time, consider taking some pictures of it. That way, you will be able to refresh your memory when you check up on your roof in later years. If you notice that certain problems look like they are getting worse and worse over the years, you will be able to notice that sooner rather than later and take care of them.
Working With the Professionals
Of course, you can also find professional roofing contractors to inspect your roof for you. Although you can do this on your own, there is a good chance that they will be able to do a better job for you.
You will also want to look at anything else on your roof like chimneys and vents. It can take a while to learn how to assess potential problems with these things, so it is often easier to have professional contractors do it for you.
2. Assess Your Attic
Even homeowners that do have a habit of inspecting their roofs sometimes neglect to inspect the attic as well. However, the attic is just the underside of your roof. Sometimes, problems that are invisible from the outside are detectable from your attic.
For one thing, if there are subtle leaks on top of your roof, you might not be able to notice them. In contrast, these leaks will probably leave obvious signs in your attic. If you find that your attic ceiling has wet spots, that can be a sign that you have roof leaks that you have not been aware of.
That goes double if you find more serious signs of water damage like rot or mould.
3. Take Care of Any Threatening Tree Branches
In general, roof maintenance is all about focusing on prevention rather than cure. Trimming nearby tree branches is an effective way to minimize the chance that your roof will suffer serious damage later on.
If you have heavy trees hanging over the top of your roof, the next big storm might knock them down onto it.
Every year when you inspect your roof, make sure to look at any branches that might have grown to threaten it. If they seem like they’re getting too close, make a point of removing them. In some situations, you will be able to manage this branch removal yourself.
However, you might also need to hire professional services to help you. Branch removal services may also be able to give you a better idea of which branches might be threatening your roof now or may come to do so in the future.
4. Keep Your Gutters Clear
Many roof leaks start because of clogged gutters. If water cannot smoothly flow off of your roof and into the gutter, it will build up, increasing the chance of a leak.
When you inspect your roof, you may discover that you will also need to schedule some time to clean out your gutters and downspouts. They may even need cleaning more often than once per year.
Keep in mind that it can be especially important to have clean gutters when you are heading into the colder months of the year. If you are unlucky, you might end up with water that turns to ice along your roofline, allowing moisture to leak inside.
5. Clean Your Roof When Necessary
When you inspect your roof, you might discover that everything looks in order and you don’t have to think about it until next year. However, you may also find that your roof needs cleaning from time to time. To clean or inspect your roof safely, it is often a good idea to invest in roofing equipment like rubber gloves and non-slip boots.
The good news is that in most cases, you can wash your roof with a simple combination of plain water and a gentle brush or cloth.
6. Avoid Other Causes of Roof Damage
There are many things that can cause damage to a roof if you leave them alone for long enough. If you find that insects or animals are living on or near your roof, you might want to remove them sooner rather than later.
7. Check for Roof Repair Needs After Bad Weather
Along with your annual inspections, it can help for you to perform a special inspection after any especially bad storms. High wind can sometimes blow shingles off of your roof or curl them away from other shingles.
8. Repair Roof Leaks Promptly
Whenever you find a problem with your roof, you should try to solve it as soon as possible. What starts out as a minor problem can become much worse faster than you might think. Scheduling prompt repairs is a good strategy for saving yourself time and money in the long run.
If you leave a problem alone because it seems small, it can create a vulnerability in your roof that can allow further problems to develop across or under your roof. When you eventually need to call for emergency repair services, they may end up costing you far more than you would have paid for simple maintenance and small repairs if you had scheduled them sooner.
It is also important to know your limits when you are assessing damage to a roof. Even if a problem seems minor to you, it may threaten your roof more than you realize.
9. Call the Professionals When Necessary
Although it is great to be able to maintain your own roof, it is also vital that you know when to call for professional roofing contractor help. Professional roofing contractors have the roofing products and training necessary to take much better care of your roof than you can. They can also resolve problems faster while enjoying much greater safety than you might if you try to take care of them on your own.
If you are looking for professional roofing contractors, you might find it helpful to look at reviews for different options online. Just remember to schedule roofing repairs sooner rather than later when you discover a problem!
Follow the Top Roof Maintenance Tips
Without proper care, your roof might end up wearing out years ahead of schedule. On the other hand, following the right roof maintenance tips can help you get as much value out of your roof as possible. It is worth it for every homeowner to learn about basic roof maintenance at some time or another.
Do you need help maintaining or repairing your roof? Contact us at any time for the best roofing products!