The roof covers a big part, if not all, of the home yet it is also the most neglected when it comes to repairing and maintenance. It’s true that a good roof that has been properly installed can easily last several years, even multiple decades, without any major problems but this doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be regularly inspected.
Even extremely durable roofing materials such as clay tiles can weaken and cause problems. If you are regularly inspecting the roof, it will be possible to catch these problems before they become major issues that not only cost more to fix but also compromise the safety and security of the building. If you enjoy doing things yourself and aren’t scared to get up on the roof, here are a few roof maintenance tips that will help you keep your roof looking great for many years to come.
1. Tile Health
The first thing to look out for on the roof are the tiles themselves. Most residential homes will have some kind of tiled roof while commercial properties will commonly have metal sheets. Roof tiles can be made from a variety of materials and each type has its own pros and cons. Over time, roof tiles can start to crack, chip, wear out, or start to come undone from the surface of the roof. This can be because of a poor installation, an accident, or it might be due to environmental factors. Your first priority will be to inspect the roof tiles from the ground. If you see any uneven spots, discoloration, or a bald patch, these are the areas you are going to want to investigate when you get up on the roof. Once on the roof, see why the tiles are having issues. In some cases, you might just need some tile glue to stick it back on, in other cases you might have to remove the existing tile and replace it with a new one.
2. Gutter Health
While you are up there, have a look at the gutters that are running around the perimeter of the roof. These gutters can start to leak, they can develop holes, they can sag, and they commonly get filled and blocked with debris. If you find yourself in North Carolina, the information found on roofing in Fayetteville NC suggests that there should be gutters installed on every kind of roof to help keep dirt and debris out of the gutters. Once these things get into the gutter, they can completely choke the passageway and cause water to flood the roof and spill over into other parts of the home. If you spot a faulty joint or bend in the gutter, just mark it with a marker so you can get back to it when you return to the ground. Similarly, if you notice a pinhole leak or even a tear in the gutter, mark the spots. Small punctures and faulty joints can be repaired relatively easily but if there is a tear in the sheet of the gutter then you may have to replace that length of the tray.
3. Pests
Another thing to look for on the roof is discoloration. If you notice any areas that are visibly darker than the rest of the roof you most likely have algae or fungi growth on those tiles. This is very easy to fix and all you need is your homemade cleaning liquid and a good brush that will reach the spot. Algae and other pest growth are very common on roof tiles made from natural materials such as clay tiles. However, these pests are also known to grow on metal and other synthetic materials. If you want a permanent fix for this problem then install a bit of copper down the spine of the roof.
4. Infrastructure
When inspecting the roof, make sure you have a look from the outside as well as the inside. All the support beams that actually hold up the roof are located inside. Sometimes parts of the roof can cave in because a support beam underneath collapses or cracks and moves out of place. If you notice any depressions in the roof, this is a sign of support system failure. While you are inside, also have a look at the condition of the roof insulation and make sure there is no water or moisture collecting in the layers of insulation.
With these 4 repair tips, you can check every aspect of the roof and make sure it is in good condition. A physical inspection of the roof by a professional is also highly recommended. If you plan on installing solar on the roof or are considering changing and upgrading the roof then make sure you first get it checked and approved by a certified roofing expert.
