A building’s roof is an integral part of the building, just as the head is an essential part of the body itself. It provides insulation, it provides protection from various elements and adds to a building’s aesthetics, it is then imperative to get the right material, the right person for the job and know how to maintain your roof for effective use. Here are some few tips to that effect;
- Get a good roofing material; a material that can withstand different weather extremes which can occur during winter or summer. Here is a list of good roofing materials;
- Fiberglass asphalt shingles (they are usually cost-effective and easy to maintain)
- Cement “S” tiles (they have a life span of about 100 years)
- Metal roofs (100% recyclable at the end of their life which is about 40 to 70 years)
- Clay “S” tiles (the life expectancy is generally about 100 years, and it is also environmentally friendly)
- Slate (ecologically friendly, it is very durable with a life expectancy of at least 100 years if it is properly installed. But slate happens to be rare which makes it expensive)
- Hire professional roofers to roof your house and inspect the roof, or if you have ample experience in carpentry, you can do it yourself or look for some DIY guidelines on carpentry which have been proven handy.
- Research before choosing a roofing contractor: before you give your roofing job to that professional it is best you do some research on the contractors. Get local referrals, as it is best to get a contractor who stays in your community to avoid a situation of scam. Make sure the contractor you are employing has insurance and proper licensing. You should get an extensive warranty from your contractor and communication is of great importance, you should be able to communicate to your contractor, and he contractor, on the other hand, should be a good communicator and listener. Finally, do not choose a contractor based on price; yes, a budget is important but always settle for the best quality your budget can afford.
- Include insulation: the primary purpose of insulation is to create a barrier around the building, that is, over the roof, on the wall and beneath the floor, which reduces the amount of heat entering the home on a warm day and reducing the amount of heat loss on a cold day. Also, roofing insulation is a means of reducing your heating and cooling bills.
- Prevent roof damage by trimming tree branches: ensure you cut all tree branches extending towards your roof or overhanging on your roof. Also, remove all tree leaf debris from your roof regularly to prevent the damaging of the roof shingles.
- Check for signs of single damage: take notice of water stains on ceilings and walls. Use a ladder to climb up to your roof and inspect the shingles. Look for missing shingles, curled shingles, broken shingles, lifting shingles (which usually occur as a result of poor installation) or any indication of large amounts of moss growing on your roof. If you observed any of these things, you should start preparing for a roof repair or in the worst case, roof replacement.
- Repairing your roof: roofing repairs should be done when the day is arid and sunny because wet roofs are usually slippery which can be dangerous for any repairer. Ensure you take all safety measures before you take on a DIY roof repair job, and if you are not sure about it, then, you should contact a professional. Follow a trusted DIY roofing repair guideline to tackle the part of your roof that needs to be repaired.
- Clean your roof: you should clean your roof occasionally as these prevent the accumulation of streaks, dirt, and debris which does not only give your roof a disheveled look but can be harmful to lifespan your roof as your roof begins to rot. Also, you should choose the right roof cleaning products as the wrong ones can damage your roof and even be harmful to you. Do not pressure wash or power wash your asphalt roofs as this will do more harm than good as this would reduce the lifespan of your roof.
- Roof maintenance during winter: remove snow from your roof as early as possible as this can damage your roof. Clean your roof gutters regularly as negligence of this can lead to ice damming which can destroy your home’s structure.
So, it is important to choose the right material for your home and also take the maintenance of your roof and home at large to heart as this will help save you some money and increase the lifespan of your roof.
