Keeping your roof in good repair
There are a few things that most of us can be thankful for and one of them is that we have a roof over our heads. A home without a roof is as good as nothing; roofs are what help a home to perform its most basic function which is to provide basic shelter. Roofs keep us separated from the elements and from animals that might harm or steal from us. In a certain sense the roof is absolutely basic to human culture; without a roof you basically would have to live like an animal. Given the service that your roof provides for you and your family it is very important to keep it in good repair. A failing roof is a good sign of a ruined house. When roofs start to go so to do the other parts of the house. So how can you keep your roof in repair? Does it take some sort of expertise or experience?
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Most of us foget about proper roof care. We take the fact that our roofs function well for granted. It is only when they start to fail that people take notice of them. In order to prolong the lifetime of your roof you need to provide regular maintenance and repairs. Here is some basic information about how to keep your roof in good shape. As you will see, most of these tips do not require any special knowledge or expertise.
The basic building blocks of a roof are the shingles or tiles that allow it to function. These need to be inspected twice a year, in the spring and fall. Do not try to inspect a roof in the middle of the summer as your chances of slipping will be much greater. Also, if the roof is wet or has any ice on it do not attempt to inspect it. Always use appropriate precautions such as a safety line when inspecting your roof. If the roof is extremely steep do not attempt to climb on it yourself-higher a professional.
Look for any cracked or fraying shingles or tiles. Areas with damage or missing shingles need to be replaced so that water, snow, and ice do not get under the shingles and into the plywood covering the roof. It is allot cheaper to fix a few bad shingles or tiles than it is to replace a whole roof. Replace any missing or damaged pieces-if you don't know how have a professional come.
Look at the area bordering any openings, such as chimneys or skylights. The protective layer surrounding these areas is called flashing, and it needs to be replaced if there is any damage to it. Flashing keeps water out of your home by sealing the roof to anything protruding from it. Be sure to check all of the eaves for any signs of damage or rot.
One of the most common causes of roof damage are falling limbs from trees. Be sure to keep any overhanging trees trimmed. Similarly, make sure that the gutters surrounding your home are free from debris. It is a good idea to clean rain gutters at least once a year. If the gutters are not cleaned excess water and ice can build up on the roof and damage it.
By following these basic steps you can keep your roof in good condition. It requires some time and hard work but the results are well worth the effort. You could easily extend the life of your roof by ten or twenty years through some basic maintenance.
