Roofing Maintenance

You might be one of those people who hates going to the dentist. You want to put it off, it could be painfully expensive and the idea of it fills you with dread. On the other hand, you’ll feel much better once it is over. The same can be said of a roof inspection. Performing this easy task can save a lot of hassle, pain and not to mention cash! A little prevention could save you the cost of an entire roof replacement.

How often should I do a roof inspection?
Most roofing professionals would recommend performing a roof inspection once or twice a year. It’s something you can do easily yourself, or if you really want, you can call in the experts to do it for you. A lot of people choose the option of having their roofs maintained by a competent roofer, but you can also choose to do it yourself if you have the D.I.Y bug and a spare hour. We would recommend you take a quick look at your roof if there has been extreme weather recently e.g. storms or unexpected snow.

How do I go about a roof inspection?
Actually doing a roof inspection for your home isn’t as bad as you think it would be. You can perform an inspection on a pitched roof from the ground for single storey homes using binoculars (this brings the added bonus of the neighbours wondering what exactly you are up to…keep them guessing right?). If you have a flat roof addition, try to get a good look at it from a second floor window. However, if you want to get a close look at your roof, its up the ladder you go! Just be sure to go about it safely! The best safety practice is to have someone hold the ladder for you at the bottom and never work alone.

So what do I look for during my roof inspection?
There are a number of things you can do, internally and externally.
1. Take a walk around the property; can you see any loose tiles? Are any slates curling or blistering?
2. Look out for moss/lichen and even leaves and debris, especially around the chimney, any aerials or roof lights. These are basically sponges that will retain water and add strain to your roof.
3. If you have a flat roof, can you see any sagging?
4. Are the lead flashings all still in place and sealed well? Look out for splits or cracks in the flashings as these are an indication that the flashings are in need of repair
5. How about the chimney? Is it missing the cap? Can you spot cracks?

If you are up on a ladder, have a look at the gutters. Gutters can become clogged with leaves and debris meaning that water can’t move. It has to go somewhere and might begin to start seaping into the house. Also look out for grit from tiles in the case of a pitched roof, as this could be a sign that the tiles are beginning to wear away.

You should also have a look at the corners of your roof and ensure that they are not lifting of peeling. Badly fitted joints can be a source of poor roof health and should be taken care of quickly. If you are inspecting a flat roof, inspect the material itself. Usually a flat roof has some kind of roofing membrane and in these cases, look out for rips or cracks. If you find any, take care of it right away!

Inside your house, look out for;
1. Dark areas on your ceiling
2. Peeling paint
3. Mouldy areas

So, it wasn’t all bad! A quick half an hour should be enough to give you piece of mind but if not, there are plenty of options for you to repair or upgrade your roof.

Source: RoofingSystemsIreland.com/roofing-maintenance-101