Last Updated on December 17, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
A house is a house, as long as it has a whole roof – even if it is completely empty. The walls of the house will continue to perform their function, with the roof being their protection all along. So, after the walls, the roof is the second important structural element of the house. It’s a sturdy and resilient part of the house, and therefore requires attention and maintenance.
Often, over the years, due to the drop in temperature, it begins to crack, causing various damages through which water flows. The faster you discover these problems and eliminate them, the faster you will live under the roof with a peaceful mind.
Inspect each shingle
The shingles are acting like the scales of a fish, they are the breathing and living skin protecting the roof from harsh weather conditions and outside factors. Yet, like everything, shingles have an expiration date and can sustain serious damage over time.
Therefore, we advise looking at each shingle on the roof at least once a year and making sure everything seems like it’s supposed to be. Each shingle should be safely “tucked” in among all the others. They should be in one piece.
Make sure they are not misplaced or cracked. Even shingles with little parts missing can be a threat to your roof. Take care of the issue immediately and make sure to replace them as soon as possible to ensure a “healthier” roof.
Newer technology has made it possible to produce shingles from more resilient materials, similar to concrete, making them extremely durable. Look for alternative options, and ask around whether your local store offers these, as it gives you the chance to double-secure your roof, prolonging its usual life expectancy.
Attaining to cracks and holes
A major mistake people often make is leaving big holes, cracks, and broken parts of the roof unattended, believing the consequences are minor and there is nothing they can do. However, the water getting into your attic is creating higher humidity levels, making it the perfect playground for mold.
Once mold gets into the walls, it takes years of effort and a lot of money to exterminate it, and leaving it alone is not an option as mold is known to affect your health. Sometimes the best thing you can do is replace your existing one with a new roof, or replace whole parts of the roof’s structure for the purpose of making it sturdier and longer-lasting.
We highly recommend hiring a professional for this, and although most of you are skilled craftsmen repairing issues around the home, the roof is a delicate yet essential part of the whole structure.
Therefore, a professional well acquainted with the layout can make sure the roof is taken care of properly, and it will last you a lifetime. If these issues are not repaired immediately, they can come to an irreversible point where nothing can be done.
Greenly growing on the roof
Yes, we’ve all seen the idyllic and more than mesmerizing scenes of old brick houses covered with moss and lichen from the roof down. But, this idyllic picture is something you want to avoid unless you plan on transforming your roof into a living garden space.
In any other case, make sure to inspect the roof at least once a year for moss, lichen, or algae growing near the gutters and around the most exposed parts. This “greenery” can cause damage to the house’s structure and create much bigger problems. You can hire a professional to take care of the problem, or if it’s a minor issue, do it yourself and pluck it out yourself.
Remove debris
If you have a large backyard and a tree growing, you’ll probably have a lot of leaves and debris falling from the tree onto the roof. Also, the braces might regularly hit the roof, thereby even damaging the shingles or maybe misplacing them.
We recommend removing all the debris and the leaves, especially during early spring and autumn, as it can cause the gutters to clog, which is an issue on its own, which we’ll discuss below.
Unclogging the gutters
The gutters are supposed to remove all the accumulated debris and water and channel it into the ground below the house. However, clogged gutters are a seemingly innocent issue, yet they can cause the overflow of water, debris, mud, and all other things to fall off the roof, thereby making a pool of filthy and dirty water. The water overflows, damaging your walls, causing the formation of mold, and sometimes even creating an unpleasant smell in the house.
Furthermore, little animals can get stuck in the gutters, thereby becoming a health hazard and a playground for dangerous bacteria. Clean your gutters regularly to ensure the safety of your home.
While you’re at it, look around the chimney, as the flashing surrounding it has a protective purpose, preventing it from leaking any water. If the flashing seems damaged to you, make sure to fix it as soon as possible.
The only thing left to do is get the old ladder out of the garage and pay a visit to the roof, thereby making sure everything is looking just fine.