Save Money with Roof Maintenance
Roofing, plumbing, flooring. Whatever the service, your house has, at one time, had people from all disciplines doing their part to create the space that you live in. We usually take it for granted, and don’t pay attention to the fact that everything has a finite lifespan. Walls get damp, grouting in floors starts to crack, and roofs are subjected to the elements all year round. Usually we don’t give much thought to these things – it’s simply a case of if something breaks, we call out a specialist to fix the problem. However, as any engineer or tradesman knows, preventative maintenance is one of the best things that can be done to extend the lifespan of anything that was physically made. Roofing is no exception. Here at roofing contractors in Telford we’ve put together a few simple things you should do to maintain the life of your roof and save you money in the future.
Keep your gutters clean and clear
One of the major problems that can lead to leaks in your roof is your guttering system becoming clogged, by various types of debris. Good drainage is absolutely essential. Given the unpredictable nature of the weather, especially in a country like England, means that very sudden heavy rain can cause a lot of damage, and suddenly you have to fork out money for an urgent fix. Leaks are dreadful, because not only does that mean the roof is damaged, if the leak goes unnoticed then your personal things can get damaged too, depending on the leak’s location.
You need to inspect your gutter on a semi regular basis. How often exactly? Well, it depends. If your gutters sit under or nearby large trees, then you’ll probably need to check more frequently. Especially in the autumn, where dead leaves fall, gutters can clog much quicker than under other conditions. Once your gutter is completely clear from debris, check that water flows nicely. The gutter angle should be slight, but water should still flow smoothly and not sit there. Pooled water from an improperly sloped gutter can be as much of a problem as if it was clogged. Not only do you have the worry of water leaking inside the building, but the weight can damage the gutter itself. If the angle does need adjusting, assess whether you can do it yourself or if you need a professional to come and take a look.
Keep your attic well ventilated, and well insulated
Your attic needs to be well ventilated, or you risk creating a humid environment above you. We all know how devastating moisture can be to walls and ceilings inside the home, so why is the roof any exception? The very foundation of your roof, the wooden beams, can easily be subjected to roof rot, which can compromise the structural integrity of your roof. A soffit vent system is the best way to ensure good ventilation and good air flow. In the colder months, poor insulation allows ice to build-up easily. Once ice begins to form, it’s imperative to clear it as soon as possible, especially when you know there is more cold weather coming soon. Not only is ice a problem for diminishing the structural integrity of roofs because of it’s expansion properties, but what can look like a small amount can in fact have huge weight. You certainly don’t want this unnecessary weight sitting on your roof!
In general, your insulation should be around 10-14 inches thick. This corresponds with what is called an R-value. In this case, the standard R-value is called R-38. 10-14 inches is simply a guideline, however, as there are different materials available for suitable insulation, depending on how much space you have. If your home has insulation from older standards, it is well worth updating to modern standards.
Inspect the roof itself
It’s good practice to get up on a ladder and have a good look. Make sure you follow safety protocols when doing any activity at height. Check your roof for signs or wear, degradation, cracks etc. Are any tiles loose or cracked? Does the sealant still look in tact? Volatile weather, where extremes of hot and cold in a short period of time can really mess with your roof integrity.
Catching a problem early will go a long way to saving you from a bigger problem in the future. A cracked tile is an easy replacement, but a full-blown leak can mean a much bigger job that will take time and cost you more money. Sometimes the elements are simply too much, and no matter how diligent you are, big damage can occur. Do your part to inspect and look after your roof and prevent problems from occurring in the first place!
Take care of your roof and your roof will take care of you! For the best roofing services Telford, check us out on Yell and at the social media links below!
Keep your gutters clean and clear
One of the major problems that can lead to leaks in your roof is your guttering system becoming clogged, by various types of debris. Good drainage is absolutely essential. Given the unpredictable nature of the weather, especially in a country like England, means that very sudden heavy rain can cause a lot of damage, and suddenly you have to fork out money for an urgent fix. Leaks are dreadful, because not only does that mean the roof is damaged, if the leak goes unnoticed then your personal things can get damaged too, depending on the leak’s location.
You need to inspect your gutter on a semi regular basis. How often exactly? Well, it depends. If your gutters sit under or nearby large trees, then you’ll probably need to check more frequently. Especially in the autumn, where dead leaves fall, gutters can clog much quicker than under other conditions. Once your gutter is completely clear from debris, check that water flows nicely. The gutter angle should be slight, but water should still flow smoothly and not sit there. Pooled water from an improperly sloped gutter can be as much of a problem as if it was clogged. Not only do you have the worry of water leaking inside the building, but the weight can damage the gutter itself. If the angle does need adjusting, assess whether you can do it yourself or if you need a professional to come and take a look.
Keep your attic well ventilated, and well insulated
Your attic needs to be well ventilated, or you risk creating a humid environment above you. We all know how devastating moisture can be to walls and ceilings inside the home, so why is the roof any exception? The very foundation of your roof, the wooden beams, can easily be subjected to roof rot, which can compromise the structural integrity of your roof. A soffit vent system is the best way to ensure good ventilation and good air flow. In the colder months, poor insulation allows ice to build-up easily. Once ice begins to form, it’s imperative to clear it as soon as possible, especially when you know there is more cold weather coming soon. Not only is ice a problem for diminishing the structural integrity of roofs because of it’s expansion properties, but what can look like a small amount can in fact have huge weight. You certainly don’t want this unnecessary weight sitting on your roof!
In general, your insulation should be around 10-14 inches thick. This corresponds with what is called an R-value. In this case, the standard R-value is called R-38. 10-14 inches is simply a guideline, however, as there are different materials available for suitable insulation, depending on how much space you have. If your home has insulation from older standards, it is well worth updating to modern standards.
Inspect the roof itself
It’s good practice to get up on a ladder and have a good look. Make sure you follow safety protocols when doing any activity at height. Check your roof for signs or wear, degradation, cracks etc. Are any tiles loose or cracked? Does the sealant still look in tact? Volatile weather, where extremes of hot and cold in a short period of time can really mess with your roof integrity.
Catching a problem early will go a long way to saving you from a bigger problem in the future. A cracked tile is an easy replacement, but a full-blown leak can mean a much bigger job that will take time and cost you more money. Sometimes the elements are simply too much, and no matter how diligent you are, big damage can occur. Do your part to inspect and look after your roof and prevent problems from occurring in the first place!
Take care of your roof and your roof will take care of you! For the best roofing services Telford, check us out on Yell and at the social media links below!
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