There’s a harsh fact that every homeowner must face about any kind of roof (whether flat or otherwise: it’s either leaking, falling apart, sagging or in dire need of replacement). After a few years it becomes evident that your roof is going to require some repair, and that’s when you begin to wonder, “Can I afford to replace my roof?” There are a few things that you should do if you think your roof is at risk of falling apart or needing repair, and you should do them right away. You’ll find them to be fairly basic, but they will ensure the roof remains secure for the foreseeable future.
There’s no point in covering up a problem if you don’t have to. Take stock of your roof, and make sure that it’s in good condition and in good shape from year to year. When the snow falls, you may only have a few months of use left of the roof before it needs replacing and it’s not the same roof you had before. It’s easy to get caught up in the season and neglect your roof because you think that it’s fine and there’s nothing to worry about. But it’s important to remember that in a few years’ time, even the strongest and most reliable roof is going to need to be replaced.
The longer you leave it the worse it’s going to get, as it won’t be able to cope with any kind of weather, let alone extreme cold or extreme heat. If you’re hoping to make a saving on the roof replacement expense, then you need to ensure that you’re keeping your roof clean and dry. Keeping your roof clean by sweeping off the snow or keeping the grass cut short can mean a lot to the strength of your roof.
Keeping your roof clean can also mean that you avoid the major maintenance issues associated with old roofs. They can deteriorate more quickly when damp and cold conditions are present, which means that rain water and snow can cause rotting, and mildew, leading to mould and other unsightly build ups. That doesn’t just mean that rain water will stain the outside of your home, either. as it can actually damage the timber and plaster beneath the roof. If your roof is damp, it’s more likely that you’ll have water leaking into your gutters and basements, causing mold and mildew growth.
So, there are other reasons to keep the roof clean than simply looking after it from winter. A good idea is to put down mats over the footers, and on the underside of the ceiling. These help to spread water away from the structure so that it doesn’t get soaked up and left to rot, preventing it from seeping up into your gutters and basements.
You may also want to consider caulking around your edges and in between the tiles to stop any water pooling under your roof, preventing mould and mildew forming around the edges. If you have a skylight, caulking will stop water from getting in through the roof and pooling under the skylight, meaning that you’re less likely to have condensation and leaking water around the edges.
Water pooling causes leaks, especially in areas like kitchens, bathrooms and shower rooms. If your roof is leaking, you may have a problem with water leaking in under your sinks and down your drains. This causes your bathroom to become uncomfortable and damp, and it can also create health risks – even with small amounts of water in the bathroom that you don’t have control of.
If you have a roof that’s rotting due to moisture or is leaking, it could be that you need to replace your roof. If you don’t want to call in the experts, it may be worth hiring someone else to do this job for you. You can find a range of specialist services online, including shingle installers and roofers who can install a new roof for you – but make sure that they’re fully trained and certified to do so.