Your roof is much more likely to stay intact, waterproof and free of damage if you maintain it properly. Just carrying out some simple checks and maintenance work will save you plenty of money as replacing a roof can be very expensive. To check the status of your roof to evaluate whether you need to carry out any maintenance work you need to be able to access the attic and then simply follow the top tips below...
Make sure the attic is adequately ventilated
If you have a well ventilated attic then the air should be able to circulate freely. Appropriate ventilation will make your home more comfortable during the summer as it will help to prevent the house from overheating. During the winter months good ventilation will reduce the melting snow and risk of ice accumulating and also help to reduce the build up of condensation which can create damp patches.
Ensure that the roof is watertight
To ensure that your roof is completely watertight, you need to scope around the attic to see if you can find any locations where water might be leaking. Signs of water damage are usually dark stained areas on wood or damp patches on walls. Water leaks are often found around nails, openings and around other components that make up the structure of the roof. You can purchase some protective roof coating which can help to reduce the risk of water leakage but it's still important to correct the problem as a leaking roof can quickly lead to other problems such as damp which can be very expensive to fix.
Your attic should be well insulated
You need to make sure that your attic is properly insulated and that the insulation is as air tight as possible and any holes for pipes and cables are correctly sealed. If there is a problem with the insulation in your attic then this can cause all manner of issues to the structure of the roof. A poorly insulated roof can add pounds to your heating bills as heat rises and much of it will filter out through your roof area.
Invest in some rooftrim
You can help to reduce monthly maintenance work and help to make the roof and exterior of your home look aesthetically pleasing by investing in some quality roof trim. Wood has traditionally been used to trim roofs but this material requires regular work to prevent problems such as rot and mould occurring. You can transform the look of your roof by investing in a new UVPC rooftrim. UPVC requires very little maintenance work and it lasts longer than timber which makes it a sound investment.
If the roof of your property has problems then these can ultimately affect the structure of your home and be very expensive to fix. If you're selling your property then it can be very difficult to demand the full asking price for your home if buyers notice issues with the roof. Don't give potential buyers any excuse to make you lower the price and just follow the simple tips above to have the best roof possible on your home.
