Roof repair tasks can be decreased with some preventative steps. Here are some thoughts about this household duty.
Roof repair requirements can be decreased substantially with a bit of preventative maintenance. The old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure is quite true with household maintenance tasks. The roof of a person’s home may be taken for granted unless something goes wrong. It’s way up high and mostly out of sight during a family’s daily comings and goings. Many homeowners may become busy and simply forget about it. This is not a wise idea. The roofing of a house protects everything underneath it. Leaks up top can cause damage to a dwelling’s electrical wiring,
drywall, carpeting and household furnishings. This can add up to big bucks.
Common roofing materials are asphalt shingles, slate, wooden shakes, metal, and clay tile. Shingles come in several colors and grades that will last several decades -- the higher the quality, the longer the products’ longevity. Metal is a great product for allowing snow to slide right off. Clay tiles are very heat resistant yet heavy. Wooden shakes are classy looking but take quite a bit of upkeep to keep them in good shape. Whatever material is chosen, it will last longer with maintenance.
Regular inspections should be performed: In order to check trouble that may be brewing, the simple act of performing an inspection can curtail big problems. Climbing up on a ladder and taking a look around will provide a visual idea of what needs to be done. Homeowners should look for curled, missing or loose shingles and repair those right away.
Sweep roof and clear out rain gutters: It is wise to bring a broom up on the roof in order to sweep any dirt, debris and leaves that may have accumulated. A pile of wet leaves wedged by the chimney is an invitation to leakage. Clogged rain gutters must be cleared in order to allow for proper drainage during storms.
Check metal flashings to prevent leaks: If any metal flashings have become loose or have blown away, they need to be replaced immediately. These items keep problems from occurring and need to remain securely in place.
Look for dried out or cracked shingles or tiles: Even if the items are still securely attached, cracking and dryness is an indication that they are nearing the end of their life span.
Inspections should be performed every six months to a year: If big wind storms hit your region, this is another time to do an additional inspection to see if the roofing materials have remained intact.
Look for signs of damage internally as well as externally: While it’s important to climb up the ladder and take a look around outside, it’s also important to look upward inside your house, as well. It’s important to look up at the ceiling periodically to see if there are any signs of dampness, yellowing or bulging. Even dark spots may be red flags of a leaking problem. If any of these signs of trouble are evident, it’s imperative to explore the situation further and get some repairs performed.
Roof repair can be curtailed with proper maintenance. When repairs are needed, they must be performed quickly to avoid further damage.
