10 Roof Maintenance Tips To Protect Your Home
Roof maintenance is key to protecting the inside of your property. We have come up with our top 10 maintenance tips to guide you along the way.
Top 10 Maintenance Tips Listed:
1. Keep trees trimmed back around your property for less debris to fall onto roof and gutters.
One of the most common issues that cause blockage throughout your roof and gutters is debris coming from surrounding trees. Maintaining the shrubbery and branches that overhang your property is key to ensuring little to no blockage is caused. If you are unable to complete this task on your own we recommend enlisting help from a friend or a professional who can assist you with this.
2. Clean out your gutters every 6-12 months depending on the property surrounds.
If you are able to stay on top of gutter and downpipe cleaning once or twice a year this will help with the longevity of your gutters. If debris is left to build up it can cause further damage such as rusting or water build up which means it can flow back into the roof cavity causing damage to your ceiling. Gutter cleaning is quite an affordable option nowadays so we strongly suggest contacting a roof specialist to provide a quote to keep on top of your roof maintenance.
3. If you suspect leakage or notice any water damage contact a roof specialist right away to come and inspect the issue.
Water damage and leakage can be caused by a multitude of reasons. The most common being blocked gutters or cracks in the cement work on your roof. Broken tiles and rusted roof sheets are also quite common causes in water getting into your ceiling or dripping from the roof. For a tiled roof you can ask the roof specialist to look at re-bedding/re-pointing the ridge cappings, checking for broken tiles then washing/sealing your roof with paint. For a metal roof silicone is commonly used to block up any holes however if the sheets are aged and rusted it would be strongly recommended to replace them with new sheets such as Colorbond.
4. Check for any holes/rotten timber where pests could be accessing your property.
Commonly birds and rodents will find their way into the roof by accessing through a small hole in the eaves or fascias. A carpenter would need to be arranged to repair the damaged timber otherwise the pest can become a problem and bothersome in your home.
5. Check roof flashings are watertight.
Flashings are installed in areas where a join needs to be sealed. Flashings are usually found around chimneys, skylights or metal roofs. They are also required where a bottom level meets the next story up on a two story home.
6. Ensure your roof has insulation.
As well as being thermally effective to the heating and cooling of your home, insulation adds a layer of protection to your ceiling. Should there be any water ingress it acts as a barrier and slows down the damage that would otherwise be caused to your ceiling.
7. Look for signs of moss or lichen on your roof.
Moss and lichen will usually grow due to moisture and warmth. It is commonly found on a terracotta tiled roof and can be removed effectively with a high pressure hose. We suggest contacting a roof specialist to inspect and provide the most effective way to have this removed.
8. Take note of any water driplets or areas that hold water as this is a sign that there could be a blockage.
Water driplets are commonly seen on gutters, eaves and also inside your property on the ceiling plaster. It is a sign of moisture and we strongly suggest the area is inspected to eliminate further damage.
9. Check your roof after wild weather.
After a storm or high winds a lot can happen to your roof. Broken tiles, ridge capping damage and even branches can be found after strong winds and should be seen to urgently. If your roof is left exposed it can cause further damage into the roof cavity.
10. Do your research and be confident in the roofing business you choose to provide maintenance for your roof and gutters.
When enlisting a professional to assist with any roof tiling or roof plumbing problems be sure to check reviews and previous work as a trustworthy tradesman will be able to properly fix any issues you are having.
For all the information you need you can also take a look at our Roof Repairs page. Here you will find all you need to know in detail about maintaining your roof both metal and tiled. If you have any further questions, get in touch with one of our friendly team members by contacting us.
