Who has used the phrase “as long as we have a roof over our head”? If anything sums up the importance of a roof, it’s that. Keeping your family sheltered and safe is essential, meaning roof maintenance is a MUST. Below are some roof maintenance tips for a defect-free home.
Regular checks of your roof, particularly after storm events, is an integral part of the maintenance and upkeep of your home. The importance of roof maintenance is often not realized until the tiniest defect lets water into your house’s structure, causing serious and expensive damage. Combat that with these tips and roof maintenance checklists:
Tin Roof Maintenance
Whilst modern metal roofing is known for its strength and durability, it’s not immune to defects and damage. When it comes to tin roof maintenance in Brisbane, the Queenslander homes with old-style corrugated iron roofs need particular attention as they haven’t necessarily had the protective treatments that the modern roofs do, and their integrity is affected by age.
Things to look for on a tin roof:
- Damage such as cracks, holes, and dints caused by hail, fallen branches, and strong wind;
- Warping, movement and other damage caused by extreme weather or foundation shifting;
- Rusting and corrosion, which can occur in order roofs and if the protective coat on a modern roof is damaged; and
- Fasteners should be in good condition and secure.
Tile Roof Maintenance
Tiled roofs are becoming less common than tin roofs simply because of strength and durability. If you have a tiled roof, maintenance is critical to ensure the protection of your family, home, and assets.
Things to look for on a tile roof:
- Broken or missing tiles – even a tiny crack can break the weatherproof seal of a tile and let water into your home;
- Damage to, or shifting of, capping tiles that provide a seal for the joins in your roof; and
- Damaged or missing fasteners, to ensure your roof tiles are held in place, and the roof is ready for the next big storm event.
Gutters, Valleys and Downpipes
Your gutters, valleys and downpipes need to be checked very regularly, with downpipes included in your roof check. Rule of thumb is every 6 to 12 months, but if you have trees around your home, more frequent inspections may be ideal. To check for leaks, use a hose to see where and how the water runs.
The build-up of leaves and debris in your gutters, valleys, and downpipes can cause any combination of these issues:
- Back up of the water catchment, potentially sending the water back into your roof space and home;
- Damage, rust, and corrosion due to moisture and degrading organic materials; and
- Water pooling around your home can lead to the subsidence and shifting of the foundation.
It’s important to note that Gutter Guard is a terrific product for keeping gutters clear, but it doesn’t remove the need for regular maintenance checks.
Roof Inspections Done For You
Whilst most people are okay with cleaning out gutters, some don’t like climbing on their roof to do checks and roof maintenance. Maybe it’s a matter of not knowing what to look for – and we understand! Have your roof thoroughly checked by an experienced professional building inspector instead.
Ben can help you out with inspecting for any roof maintenance in Brisbane. Contact him today for peace of mind and a thorough inspection.