10 Roof Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

Top Ten Roof Maintenance Tips

Roof maintenance is critical for protecting the interior of your home. We’ve compiled a list of our top ten maintenance tips to help you along the way.

1. Keep trees trimmed around your property to reduce the amount of debris on roofs and gutters.

Debris from surrounding trees is one of the most common causes of blockage in your roof and gutters. Maintaining the shrubbery and branches that overhang your property is critical to ensuring minimal blockage. If you are unable to complete this task on your own, we recommend enlisting the assistance of a friend or a professional.

 

2. Depending on the property, clean your gutters every 6-12 months.

If you can keep up with gutter and downpipe cleaning once or twice a year, you will extend the life of your gutters. If debris is allowed to accumulate, it can cause further damage, such as rusting or water buildup, which can cause water to flow back into the roof cavity and damage your ceiling. Gutter cleaning is relatively inexpensive, so we strongly advise contacting a roof specialist for a quote to stay on top of your roof maintenance.

 

3. If you suspect a leak or notice any water damage, call a roof specialist immediately to inspect the problem.

Water damage and leakage can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common are clogged gutters or cracks in your roof’s cement work. Water getting into your ceiling or dripping from the roof can also be caused by broken tiles and rusted roof sheets. If you have a tiled roof, you can have a roof specialist look at rebedding/repointing the ridge cappings, checking for broken tiles, and then washing/painting your roof. Silicone is commonly used to seal any holes in a metal roof, but if the sheets are old and rusted, it is strongly advised to replace them with new Colorbond sheets.

 

4. Look for any holes or rotten wood where pests could enter your property.

Birds and rodents commonly gain access to the roof through a small hole in the eaves or fascias. A carpenter must be hired to repair the damaged wood, or the pest will become a nuisance in your home.

 

5. Inspect the roof flashings for water tightness.

Flashings are installed where a joint must be sealed. Flashings are commonly found near chimneys, skylights, and metal roofs. They are also required where the bottom level of a two-story home meets the next story up.

 

6. Check the insulation on your roof.

Insulation, in addition to being thermally effective for heating and cooling your home, adds a layer of protection to your ceiling. If water gets in, it acts as a barrier, slowing down the damage that would otherwise be done to your ceiling.

 

7. Examine your roof for moss or lichen.

Moss and lichen typically grow in response to moisture and warmth. It is commonly found on terracotta tiled roofs and easily removed with a high-pressure hose. We recommend contacting a roof specialist to inspect and advise on the most effective way to remove this.

 

8. Take note of any water droplets or areas that hold water, as this could indicate a blockage.

Water droplets are commonly seen on gutters, eaves, and even ceiling plaster inside your home. It indicates moisture, and we strongly advise that the area be inspected to prevent further damage.

 

9. Inspect your roof after severe weather.

A lot can happen to your roof after a storm or high winds. After strong winds, broken tiles, ridge capping damage, and even branches can be found and should be inspected immediately. If you leave your roof exposed, it can cause further damage to the roof cavity.

 

10. Do your homework and trust the roofing company you hire to maintain your roof and gutters.

When hiring a professional to help with roof tiling or roof plumbing issues, check reviews and previous work, as a reliable roofing company will be able to resolve any issues you are experiencing correctly. We at Care Roofing Inc have a team of experienced and dedicated roof specialists who can help you maintain your roof for many years.

You can also visit our roof repair page for additional information. Here you will find detailed information on maintaining your metallic and tiled roofs. Please contact one of our friendly team members if you have any further questions.