Maintaining your roof is a task that isn’t often at the front of your mind when you are considering the maintenance and care of your home. However, damage to your roof can cause significant hardship and inconvenience to a family, including everything from expensive heating bills and leaks to structural damage that can force you and your family to leave as it is being repaired.
Thankfully, regular roof maintenance by a competent and professional roof contractor will help you avoid any unnecessary (and often expensive) repairs. What are some of the most common roof issues and how can you prevent them?
1. Poor Ventilation
Roofing company White’s Roofing said “It may come as a surprise to some, but your roof is a critical part of your home’s ventilation.” Without proper ventilation, damage to your shingles, insulation and moisture retention are bound to be problems. To avoid this, get a roofing company to inspect your roof for ventilation issues.
2. Roof Leaks
Roof leaks happen for many reasons including wear, weather-related issues and poor-quality construction. Regular inspections, both visually from the ground and from the roof itself, will provide you with the foresight necessary to prevent most roof leaks from happening.
3. Damaged Roof Shingles
Shingles eventually wear down from the punishment they receive from inclement weather like wind, rain, snow, hail and oddly enough, the sunshine itself. Replace your shingles as they show signs of wear to increase the useful lifespan of your roof.
4. Poorly Installed Roof Repairs
The right roofing company will repair any damage to your roof properly, the first time. Unprofessional roofing contractors will cut corners on material and labour, leading to even bigger problems in the future. Always call a professional when you need roofing repairs.
5. Algae Growth
Algae growth can decrease the effective lifespan of your roof by holding moisture on its surface. Algae and moss can be removed with high-powered water or by contacting a roofing specialist to remove the existing growth.
6. Poor Insulation
Poor insulation is a problem that affects many homes in the UK. It affects not only the temperature and comfort level of your home but will also negatively affect your heating costs. If you are building a new home, talk to the builder about their plans for insulating the attic and if you are already living in a home with poor insulation, it is never too late to re-insulate.
7. Accidental or Weather-Related Damage
Preventing weather-related damage is difficult because you cannot control the weather, but you can maintain the trees and other factors around your home. Storms can blow branches and entire trees onto your roof, causing significant damage. To protect your roof for the longterm, keep the trees near your home trimmed and manageable.
8. Damaged Flashing
Damaged flashing leaves the wood behind exposed and vulnerable to water damage. If you have damaged flashing present on your roof, contact your local roofing professional to remove the damaged pieces and install new flashing.
9. Pooling Water
Standing water is a disaster for any type of roof. Roofing material can handle the presence of pooling water, but its presence will inevitably lead to leaks and other serious, even catastrophic water damage. Whether you have a sloped or flat roof, part of maintaining your roof is to ensure that there is no pooling water anywhere. If there is, get a reputable roofing company to investigate and provide solutions.
Maintaining your Roof is an Investment in the Future
Maintaining your roof is simple. Be aware of the potential problems, look for signs that there may be something amiss and have regular maintenance and inspections done by a professional and competent roofing contractor. Follow those steps and your roof will continue to protect you and yours for years to come.
