It is important that your roof is in good condition. After all, missing or broken tiles could lead to significant damage to your home. Minor damage to your roof can be fixed relatively easily, but if they are left unnoticed, you will be likely to need costly repairs later on.
A little roof check a couple of times a year can help to keep on top of those minor issues; our traders advise on what you ought to keep an eye on, to maintain your roof and protect your home.
Vigilance Pays
Whether you are up a ladder clearing out your gutter (or you are putting up Christmas lights), cast an eye over your roof and keep a particular eye out for the following:
- Watch for damaged or missing tiles, or ones that are starting to curl. If you see some damaged ones, get them replaced or repaired sooner rather than later; it will save you money in the long term.
- Check metal parts for rust. If you do see rust, don’t panic: a rub with wire wool and a coat of primer and metal paint will protect it from further erosion.
- Watch out for algae or fungus. If you are starting to grow moss or algae on your roof, lead or zinc control strips can help to solve the issue.
- Take a look at your flashing and ensure that it is solid. If it isn’t, give the area a good clean and reseal it.
- Likewise, if there is damaged, cracked or soft caulk or mortar around chimneys and joints, seal it to prevent leaks or further deterioration.
- While you are up there, get rid of any debris (leaves, sticks, twigs), as they can promote algae and damage tiles.
- Get rid of overhanging branches to protect the roof from damage from falling debris or animals.
If you notice any damage to your roof, getting it fixed now will save you time and money later on. It doesn’t have to be costly; we advise that you contact at least two reliable local roofers and ask them for a quote.
If you are not confident working at heights, don’t risk it! There are plenty of handymen and gardeners who will be more than happy to spend a couple of hours at your home, doing general clearing and DIY to help prevent damage to your roof over the winter.
If you have any tips on roof maintenance that you would like to share with us, let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
Do you have a question? Ask a Trader! Send us your questions and we will pass them on to the right people for you.