The Basics of Roof Maintenance and Repairs



Many homeowners neglect the roof and only pay attention to it when it is obvious that something is wrong. At that time it might be little too late to start worrying about the roof and that is why you should inspect the roof every six months. Besides regular inspections, you should upgrade or repair a few things from time to time and make sure that everything above your heads is alright. 



Inspection and Maintenance

A good time for inspecting the roof is while cleaning the gutters. While you’re at it, you should look for any missing or damaged shingles. Due to harsh weather, shingles can wear out, tear, break or curl and cause more trouble in future. Also, you should check if there are any algae or fungus and get rid of them. Don’t forget to check the metal parts for any rust and inspect the flashing to make sure it is solid. If there are any cracks, make sure you fill them with caulking or mortar.

Additionally, you should cover a few maintenance issues. This includes sweeping or blowing off any debris, such as sticks or leaves, since they could damage the shingles or encourage growth of fungi or algae. Trim any branches that hang over your roof in order to prevent any damage and deny squirrels and raccoons easy access to your home. Also, you should always remove snow from the roof, but do it carefully, so its weight doesn’t collapse the whole roof.


Repairs

There will be times when the roof repairs are inevitable. However, it is always better to notice the problem on time and fix it than to be sorry later. If there are any leaks on your roof, you need to assess them fast. Some leaks are easily fixable with some DIY experience and basic tools, but for some you will need an expert to help you. Leaks are usually caused by faulty shingles or broken gutters, and these can even cause multiple leaks along the walls, framing and overall roof surface. The pros behind Sydney Wide Metal Roofing can help you repair the roof surface and gutters and thus stop any major leaks inside and alongside your home. 

It might also happen that a bad storm has damaged a shingle or two on your roof. In order to prevent any further damage, you should assess this issue right away. A very quick fix for this is a tube of roofing cement and aluminum flashing. Cut the flashing and loosen the tabs. Apply two or three beads of cement beneath the shingle and slip the flashing underneath. Add a bit more cement on top of the flashing and press the tab down so it would adhere to the roof. 



If you have wooden shingles, they might split or break so you will need to replace them. If that happens, you should use a chisel and a hammer and split the broken shingle into narrower pieces and yank it out carefully. Cut the nails that held the removed shingle in place and use utility knife to trim and adjust the size of the new shingle. Slide it in and drive in two cedar shingle nails below the edge of the shingle above. Tap the new shingle in with a hammer and you’re done. 

It’s one thing to build a roof over your head, but it’s completely another to keep it there. Don’t ignore your roof, because even a minor leak or a damaged shingle can cause so much unnecessary fuss and trouble in the future. Pay attention to these few maintenance tips and repairs; you can even rely on professionals to help you keep your roof intact, but some of these are easy to manage by yourself.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Your Home in Sydney

Image
Relocating to a bigger and better house can be a joyous thing. Sydney is a big city, and if you don’t manage the moving process right, it can turn out to be a nightmare. Imagine losing your important documents or breaking your precious plants while moving them. Here we are telling you about the top mistakes people make while moving their home and how you can avoid them. 1.        Not having a Plan Many people make the mistake of thinking that they can get all the details of the moving process in their head. They don’t make a list, they often do not communicate effectively with the furniture removalist they have hired and they don’t even bother to inform people about the move. You must avoid these mistakes by writing down everything on your laptop and making a checklist that you use to decide which moving actions have you taken and which ones you have left. 2.        Not being prepared in Advance People also make the mistake of not being prepared for the move in advance. They spend a lo
Read more

Should I Replace The Roof Before Selling My House?

Image
Homeowners who are considering selling their homes may be faced with a few decisions to make before they try listing. While there are certain times when the market is hot and buyers are willing to purchase buildings in any condition, this isn’t always the case, especially in some areas. So what do you do if you know that your home needs a new roof before you list? Selling as is may get you out of the immediate cost of the replacement, but it could make the home harder to sell or it may mean you have to sell for less. At other times, however, selling as is could be the smarter move, allowing you to still sell quickly, but without the upfront costs. Which is it in your case? You’ll need to make careful consideration of several different factors to find out. Condition of the Roof If your roof isn’t leaking or in disrepair, but you know that it’s getting up there in age, you may want to have it inspected prior to putting it on the market. Just because you aren’t seeing leaks indoors yet do
Read more

Unique Storage Ideas!

Image
In the 21st century, it is becoming more common to see both companies and their customers going green. From huge companies such as Nissan making electric cars using recycled materials, to storage companies like Alison Handling . Saving the planet may well seem like a daunting task, but with a little guidance it can be incredibly easy, and with a little creative spark, it can even be fun! Check out these examples of the coolest ideas when it comes to upcycling your unwanted items: Mini Greenhouses This fantastic idea over at Prairie Cottage Rose demonstrates how to brighten up any home andupcycle your unwanted tote boxes into these fantastic mini greenhouses! Perfect for those green fingered gardeners with limited space, these can be put together indoors, or out, and you don’t need a huge garden to get creative! Find them here ! Crab Trap Side Table This stylish front room side table found in this South Carolina retreat is made from an upcycled Crab Trap. Simple and effective, it reall
Read more