Roof Maintenance Tips

You’ve moved into your new home and it is  everything you’ve ever dreamed of – well, sort of. As time goes by, and you become more familiar with your new ‘nest’, you’ll begin to notice some of the problem areas that need attention. This could be the mould issue in the bathroom, or the leaky kitchen faucet. As a new homeowner, property maintenance is now a regular part of your monthly ritual. It will need to be budgeted for and prioritised to make sure your investment is well looked after.
 

If you have tenants in your property, you will need to attend to maintenance issues quickly so that they have no reason not to pay their rent. When it comes to home upkeep, one aspect you should never overlook is roof maintenance.
 

What to look out for

Unexpected costs from home repairs is inevitable. However, what if there was a way you could reduce that chance? Well, roof maintenance is a vitally important aspect of managing your property. It’s the protection over your head after all and, without it, it wouldn’t be a proper home at all. Apart from its structural purpose, you can potentially save yourself lots of money by always knowing the condition of your roof.
 

Seasonal inspections

It’s important to conduct your roof inspection before winter to ensure it’s in sound condition before bad weather hits. Additionally, if your property is an older structure, you should inspect the roof more often, as there are several natural elements that add to its decline, such as:
 

• Sunlight – The ultra violet (UV) rays from the sun can cause irreversible damage to your roof shingles, making them brittle over time.
• Moss – These small plants are renowned to grow in damp areas and can get under your roof tiles, causing leaks or creating dampness and harmful mould on the inside of your roof.
• Corrosion – Depending on the material of your roof and where your home is situated, corrosion can always be a problem factor. For instance; a metal roof situated near the ocean will tend to rust quickly.
• Wind – Not just reserved for extreme storms, intense winds can lift tiles and even cause branches to come loose and slam into your structure.
   

What you can do

Before you call in the professionals, you can easily inspect the roof yourself and assess any damage or potential issues. Things like moss can be quite a tricky situation as there are several do’s and don’ts that you should adhere to, such as:

• Don’t use a high-pressure hose to remove the moss as it could loosen your roof shingles
• Scraping too hard can crack or chip tiles away
• Try natural remedies over acids to avoid tile corrosion

Once you’re up on the roof, there are some key areas that you should inspect, like:

• Tiles – Look for big cracks, chipped or loose units.
• Chimney – Check the openings as well as the seal points to see if there is wear and tear
• Gutters – Blocked gutters can easily break off if not cleaned regularly
• Skylights – This should be a regular check-point as worn down seals can leak into your home
• Trees – Big branches that overhang your roof could cause damage during high winds
   

Caring for your Investment

By keeping up with your roof maintenance, you’re ensuring longevity in your structure. This kind of investment only boosts your property value, which is important should you wish to resell down the line. Additionally, catching some of these problems early, like dampness and mould, can save you a lot of money in the long run.