How to make your roof live a longer life?
December 4, 2012: Guest Contributor Hillary Ealey
All roofs should be built at a high quality because they are
exposed to rain, the blazing sunshine, high winds and extreme hail storms. So
to stop the roof from becoming damaged and helping it last longer. It is
essential to inspect the building. I would suggest that you examine the roof
regularly to help you notice any change that happens and prevent it.
There are several steps which need to be
followed to be guarantee your roof lives a longer life.
First of all you should undertake regular
inspection. The warning signs of a damaged roof in cracked slates or rust
spots; the shingles are buckling, curling or blistering; and worn areas around
the chimneys, pipes and skylights. Another warning sign of a damaged roof is if
you find bits of grit in your guttering. Dark algae stains are just cosmetic,
but masses of moss and lichen could signal roofing that’s worn out underneath.
And finally just something basic that if anything is missing or has popped out
then you really need to get it replaced immediately.
The Second Step it is best to take is being
alert and being ready.
You should check your roof a few times a
year. You don’t want to check it to many times and then you don’t notice
something which has happened, but you also don’t want to check it minimal
amount because you would not realize if its meant to be like that. I would
suggest the start of every season. Early indications of trouble include dark
areas on ceilings, peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs, damp spots
alongside fireplaces, and water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnace.
When you decide you want to plan an
inspection I feel you should have everything you want to check written down so
it reminds you that it needs to be done. And if you want to be very specific
try a scoring system so like I do on my own roof is give it a score out of 10.
10/10 being spot on and nothing wrong with it but 1/10 being terrible and it
needs to be fixed immediately.
The third step you should remove leaves
from the roof.
If you have a simple peaked roof surrounded
by low landscaping, your roof almost certainly stays clear of leaves on its
own. But if the roof has a number of tree’s surrounding it then there will be
piles of leaves probably which collect in roof valleys or near chimneys. If you
don’t remove them, they’ll trap moisture and gradually decompose, allowing
wind-blown seeds to take roof.
The 4th step is clearing the roof of moss.
Leaving moss growing on your roof can
shorten the life of your roof drastically. Having moss on the roof during the
winter causes it to react and make the shingles brittle. Moss holds moisture
against the wood, speeding rot. Moss can even crack cement or ceramic tiles.
And finally if none of these steps help
your roof then the only option would be to get it replaced. If you can replace
it while it’s still structurally ok. It will be cheaper than getting it fixed
when its caved in.
Hillary
Ealey is a new blogger with a keen interest in anything Home Improvements or
D.I.Y. The services reviewed here are from LEAFIELD PROJECTS
Article Topics: home improvement, roof, roof maintenance, roofing DIY, how to make your roof live a longer life
