Do You Have A Healthy Roof?
When it comes to owning a home, many responsibilities fall on your shoulders. It is up to you to make sure your home is in good health and not in need of repair. The roof is one of the most important aspects of a home, protecting the home from the weather, dirt and pests. If your roof is damaged or in need of repair, you may be setting yourself up for more trouble down the line.
Roof repair and replacement can be expensive and properly maintain your roof can prevent further damage. Many homeowners think they may not be qualified to maintain their roof and, while major repairs should be left to a roof contractor, there are many small ways the homeowner can take action to keep their roof in good health.
Keep An Eye Out
Have you inspected your roof lately? Do you know if your roof materials are intact and doing their job?
Many people simply don't take the time to look over their roof to check for problems. A basic inspection of your roof can be done without needing a ladder. You can inspect your roof from the ground using a pair of binoculars. Here is what to look for:
Getting A Closer Look
If you find any of the problems listed above when inspecting your roof through binoculars, you will want to get a closer look. It is always a good idea to have a second person on the ground to assist anytime you get onto the roof. If you cannot comfortably walk with your feet and hands on the roof at all times, it is best to call a professional roof contractor to get a closer look at your roof.
If roof materials are broken, bent or missing, they will need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Damage to the roof materials can cause the roof to leak, causing more damage to the interior of the home. Many home repair stores sell small boxes of roof materials that you can buy if you need to repair or replace a few shingles or tiles.
Discolorations in roof materials may signal a bigger problem and the entire area of discoloration should be replaced. In general, any area in need of repair greater than a 1 square foot should be completed by a roof contractor. The same applies for gaps in roof materials. If you can see the underlying base materials, you should contact a roof contractor for further assistance.
Debris, piles of leaves or waste from pests should be cleaned from the roof. You can easily sweep debris and leaves or branches off of the roof with a broom. Generally, debris and leaves tend to accumulate along the valleys of the roof line, which may be accessible with a broom.
Pest waste should be cleaned with a mild soap and water formula and a rag. Never use a harsh chemical cleaner on roof materials, especially asphalt shingles. These shingles already contain toxic chemicals and cleaning it with a harsh solution could result in a chemical reaction. Always take safety precautions and wear eye protection and gloves when cleaning pest waste.
Roof repair and replacement can be expensive and properly maintain your roof can prevent further damage. Many homeowners think they may not be qualified to maintain their roof and, while major repairs should be left to a roof contractor, there are many small ways the homeowner can take action to keep their roof in good health.
Keep An Eye Out
Have you inspected your roof lately? Do you know if your roof materials are intact and doing their job?
Many people simply don't take the time to look over their roof to check for problems. A basic inspection of your roof can be done without needing a ladder. You can inspect your roof from the ground using a pair of binoculars. Here is what to look for:
- Broken, bent or missing shingles
- Discolorations among the roof materials
- Gaps in roof materials (or being able to see the base materials underneath the shingles)
- Debris, piles of leaves or waste from pests
Getting A Closer Look
If you find any of the problems listed above when inspecting your roof through binoculars, you will want to get a closer look. It is always a good idea to have a second person on the ground to assist anytime you get onto the roof. If you cannot comfortably walk with your feet and hands on the roof at all times, it is best to call a professional roof contractor to get a closer look at your roof.
If roof materials are broken, bent or missing, they will need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Damage to the roof materials can cause the roof to leak, causing more damage to the interior of the home. Many home repair stores sell small boxes of roof materials that you can buy if you need to repair or replace a few shingles or tiles.
Discolorations in roof materials may signal a bigger problem and the entire area of discoloration should be replaced. In general, any area in need of repair greater than a 1 square foot should be completed by a roof contractor. The same applies for gaps in roof materials. If you can see the underlying base materials, you should contact a roof contractor for further assistance.
Debris, piles of leaves or waste from pests should be cleaned from the roof. You can easily sweep debris and leaves or branches off of the roof with a broom. Generally, debris and leaves tend to accumulate along the valleys of the roof line, which may be accessible with a broom.
Pest waste should be cleaned with a mild soap and water formula and a rag. Never use a harsh chemical cleaner on roof materials, especially asphalt shingles. These shingles already contain toxic chemicals and cleaning it with a harsh solution could result in a chemical reaction. Always take safety precautions and wear eye protection and gloves when cleaning pest waste.
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