Routine maintenance of the home is crucial and, if you are a homeowner, then it’s on you to know which parts of the home might need an extra eye on them. One part that often goes a little over-looked or, quite literally, over our heads, is the roof. Here, we’re going to look at some of the issues that can affect your roof and how you can stay on top of them.
CHECK OUT THOSE GUTTERS
Although they might seem relatively harmless, working gutters are essential for the health of the home and, as such, they should be checked at least once a year. Fall, in particular, can cause a lot of leaves and debris from trees to get into gutters, clogging them up. You can clean your gutters with the help of tools like those shown at Bob Vila as, if you don’t, the rainwater won’t be able to drain away from the home properly. This can lead to it running down the side of the home, damaging materials over time, and it can even penetrate any weakness in the wall, letting water inside the home.
LOOK FOR THE SIGNS OF SPOT REPAIRS
Providing that you feel safe and are confident being up there, you should inspect your roof at least once a year or get a professional to take a look for you. Roofs can experience all kinds of wear and tear over the years, including chips, cracks, missing pieces, and missing tiles, due to weather and other issues. These weak points can provide an opening for rainwater to start coming in, at which point the damage can really start to speed up. As such, you should make sure that you get the help you need with any repairs ASAP.
CONSIDER WHETHER IT’S TIME TO GET A NEW ROOF
Even if everything looks okay from the outside, you shouldn’t assume that your roof is in the best health if, for instance, it has been there for well over a decade. Every roof is going to age past its usefulness eventually, which you can sometimes see in the form of discoloration, moss, sagging in parts, and more. It may be worth having a team like Northeast Home and Energy come out to see whether or not it’s time for a replacement. The lifespan of a roof can change drastically depending on materials and maintenance, so it’s usually best to get an expert opinion.
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
It’s a lot easier to take a look at the roof from the inside at least once a year to check if there are any issues. Visible damage is well and good, but you should keep an eye out for any faults in your insulation, and make any necessary repairs to ensure that your home stays more energy efficient, as well.
A roof that’s not doing its job is going to cause all manner of trouble for your home. Keep the tips above in mind and make sure you’re working to keep your roof in good condition.
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