When it comes to home maintenance, an area often overlooked is the roof. This is simply because most home owners are under the impression that a roof has a life span of 20 to 25 years. While this is correct, the rule only applies if proper regular maintenance is done on your roof. The earlier a problem on your roof is detected, the less it will cost you to repair.
Roofing maintenance involves more than just a splash of paint or laying some new tiles.
The weather can have detrimental effects on your roof, and thunderstorms with heavy rains can wreak havoc. There are times when you roof may show obvious signs of damage, but we all know that it's what you cannot see that creates the biggest problems in the long run. Issues such as mould are also overlooked, but are a clear sign of dampness. While roofing maintenance isn't rocket science, there are important factors to consider before embarking on a DIY project, and with your safety in mind, we suggest leaving this to the experts.
How does the weather affect your roof?
Although Stirling enjoys warmer summers and colder winters than it's neighbouring towns, Stirling stands out for its ability to deliver four seasons in a day. However, even with much less snow falling in the town, dampness, regular rains and the European windstorm between October and May can cause fair amounts of damage to your roof.
There is no way that you can avoid these changes in the environment, but don't panic. You definitely can lessen the effects that these conditions may have on your roof. Your aim is to extend the lifespan of your roof.
With this in mind, let's explore the top 5 roofing maintenance tips.
Uncleaned roofs are unsightly to say the least, but also pose a danger if left untreated for too long since certain materials can rust.
Regular cleaning treatments are therefore paramount in roof maintenance. It may appear to be a simple and straight forward task, but it is extremely important that you understand the type of material on your roofing before undertaking a job of this magnitude, and carefully decide before selecting from the wide range of products that can be used. It is always suggested that you use products recommended by your roof manufacturer, just to be safe.
Pollution can also cause severe damage to your roof, and in addition, there may be spills that need to be cleaned off.
Roof sweeping may sound tedious, but it is important to keep your roof clean and clear of anything that may cause damage to it. This includes trees with low hanging branches. Check for any of these and trim your trees regularly. Not only does this prevent tree damage, but it also prevents access for animals onto your roof. Animals can easily loosen roof tiles or even worse, create access through your tiles into your ceilings.
- Cleaning out your gutters
The fact that your gutters have gathered some sand and that a few weeds have sprouted means that they are actually doing what they're supposed to do. It does not however mean that the debris in the gutters belongs there. Your gutters need to be cleaned regularly in order for them to function as they should. Rain gutters serve to remove water off your roof and if you do not have these installed, we highly recommend doing so.
Moisture that gathers under your roof is a primary culprit for causing roof rot. The winter months bring with them their fair share of rain and snow, and there's definitely a little more that you can do to protect your roof. Regular shingles checks are important, and even more so in the autumn months since this will make sure that your roof is ready to face whatever winter has to throw at it.
We strongly recommend regular roof inspections for only two reasons. One - to keep a roof over your head. And two - to save you hundreds of pounds in the long run. We agree that it's important that your roof looks pretty, but looks aren't always everything are they? Regular inspections will quickly detect rust, loose nails, shingles and tiles as well as holes that may result in leaks.
No value can be placed on your family's safety and well-being, and your home is a lifelong investment that should appreciate with time. We agree that roof maintenance may seem like a lot of work, but it is evident that spending this time taking care of your investment will save you money and a worries in the future. Your roof is built to last but it's longevity depends entirely on you.
