There’s nothing quite like buying or building your first home. It’s a milestone that many adults aspire to, and for many people, their house is their most valuable material asset. Apart from purchasing the right insurance, one way for you to safeguard the value of your house is to conduct regular maintenance.
Arguably, regular maintenance is nowhere near as necessary as it is where the roof is involved. Seeing as the primary function of the roof is to protect the house’s inhabitants from the elements, it would be better for you to be more involved in doing regular DIY (do-it-yourself) maintenance work rather than leaving the fate of your roof to chance. |
Basic DIY roof maintenance usually entails the following steps:
- Inspect the roof. Get to know your roof so you can tell at a glance if there are any missing shingles, chipped paint, or warping. During this inspection, you may also be able to spot any problem areas that may indicate red flags. Significant wear on asphalt roof shingles, for instance, may indicate heightened vulnerability to water damage.
- Check for any visible buildup of moss and mold between shingles and remove these by spraying them with a moss remover solution and then brushing away the residue with a broom. Remove dried-up leaves, bird nests, and other similar pieces of detritus from the down spouts and flush gutters. Flush the gutters with water to see if their pathways are clear. The water should not only flow out with ease, but it should flow in a direction that’s away from your foundation.
- Inspect your roof’s flashing. This term refers to the strips of metal that connect your chimneys or skylights to the roof. These strips can be rendered loose through repeated exposure to harsh elements. Loose flashing can make your home vulnerable to mold or water damage. Tack them back on if they appear to be falling off their fastenings. You may also want to inspect the caulk on your roofing afterwards. If they are cracked or weakened, scrape them off and then apply a fresh coat of the stuff to strengthen your roof further.
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If, however, you encounter a problem that probably cannot be fixed through any DIY process, it would be best for you to get in touch with a roofing specialist or contractor. The following are a few tips on finding a reliable roofing specialist in your area:
- Check your town or city directory. Roofing services or specialists are usually listed accordingly and by area, so this is a good way to find the one closest to you. Once you find one in a convenient address, you can give them a call and inquire about their rates and services.
- Find a suitable roofing contractor online. One advantage of going online versus leafing through the directory is that a company website often lists not just the contact details but also the company or contractor’s services. You will likely also find a form for requesting a quotation and perhaps quite a few testimonials from previous clients.