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Roof Maintenance
The most important part of the physical structure of your house is
your roof. This part of the house is exposed to high winds, pouring
rain, sleet and snow and therefore most susceptible to damage. The
roof of your house should be inspected after every winter to assess
roof damage. Making this a habit will save you sudden unexpected
expenses, that can arise from repairs that are need to repair a
damaged roof. A well-maintained roof is the best protection that you
can give the physical structure of your house.
Asphalt roofs are intended to last only for about 15 years. Roofs
made of slate, clay and tile can last for longer only when well
maintained. Experts have found that most owners do not inspect their
roofs regularly. Here are a few things that you should remember
while inspecting your roof for damages:
- Check if there any trees growing close to
the roof. Trees can cause enormous amount of damage to the roof.
Branches of trees that hang over the roof can break, puncture and
damage the roofing
material. Leaves can block the gutter system on
the roof, allowing rainwater to collect and this can cause leaks in
the attic. Keep the trees close to the roof trimmed at all times.
- Check for black streaks or discoloration on
the roof. This discoloration is a result of mold, algae or fungus
growing. This is especially a problem when the humidity is high and
on roofs that are in the shade for a long time. If the roof is not
treated it can result in damage to the roofing material causing
leaks in the house. Trim trees to increase air circulation and
install zinc strips along the roof ridges. These strips form zinc
oxide when they react with rainwater, which forms a protective
coating, which prevents the growth of mold, fungus etc.
- Over a period of time roofing material can
get torn off or can get weak. This weak roofing material can get
blown off by strong winds, thus making the
home interiors vulnerable to water damage. While
inspecting if you find that the roof is damaged then repair it
immediately, as it will only get worse with time.
You can fix a number of these problems on your own. But it is
advisable to use a professional
roofing contractor to do the repair. Make inspection of
the roof a regular habit.
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