Keeping on top of your roof maintenance can save you lots of money in repairs and replacements if the time comes round. Follow these five useful maintenance tips, to make sure your roof is in the best condition possible.
Clean out your gutters
If your gutters are clogged with debris, that means water can’t run freely from the roof and could end up soaking through your walls or your roof. You should clean your gutters at least twice a year and keep an eye on them from the ground after periods of heavy rain. Most North East roofing companies offer gutter cleaning services as part of their health check service.
Do regular inspections
When you’re getting a roofer to clean out your gutters, it’s worth asking them to complete a roof inspection while they’re up there. Recently, the UK has been hit by very extreme weather, which can cause lots of damage to your roof that will go unnoticed without a roof inspection. Even when we’re out of storm season, it’s worth getting a roof inspection to make sure your roof hasn’t fallen victim to any other weather conditions.
Don’t forget about the flashing
Inspecting the flashing is one of the most important aspects of a roof health check. If you’re carrying out an inspection by yourself, you need to check that the flashing hasn’t become loose or warped. If it has, a professional needs to come out as soon as possible to prevent excess moisture building up and seeping into your ceiling, causing damp and leaks.
Trim any overhanging trees
This tip is extremely important during storm season. One of the major causes of damage to roofs in extreme weather is falling debris, such as trees. An easy way to prevent damage to your roof caused by the nature that surrounds your home is to make sure tree branches are trimmed back. A branch tip should be at least six to ten feet away from a roof, to allow them to sway in the wind without touching the rooftop. This will also stop your gutters getting clogged with debris such as leaves and twigs.
Pay attention to your attic
It’s not always easy to spot issues with the roof from the outside, which is why it’s important to look for any signs of leaks, sunlight water damage or mould from the attic. Regularly inspect your walls, floors and beams for any discolouration or stains, which are all signs that water is coming in from the roof. Any sunlight that appears through the roof is a sign that shingles are missing from your roof. They will need replacing as soon as possible, to prevent any excessive water damage.
By following these maintenance tips regularly, you can guarantee that your roof will be in reasonable condition all year round, and prepared for any weather conditions. Of course, you should always call out a professional annually to confirm that the maintenance work you’ve done yourself is satisfactory and your roof remains in good condition.
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