Roof Maintenance: Saving Money By Doing It Yourself

Article provided by RoofRocket.com

Let’s face it, the roof is one of the most crucial components of home’s integrity. It keeps out the weather, animals and debris. Being one of the largest surface areas of your home, roof repair or replacement can be quite costly. Fact: many costly roof repairs could have been prevented through regular inspection and maintenance. The problem is that many homeowners feel they may not know enough about roofs to adequately repair or maintain the roof. The truth is, it isn’t as hard as one would think.

Simple Roof Maintenance Tips

Regular inspection

Often, a roof may have damage that is not visible to the naked eye; which is why it is important that you get onto the roof to look for any missing or broken roof materials. Don’t wait until you have experienced a leak indoors before taking the time to inspect your roofs, by the time you notice the leak it may be too late and may cost you hundreds to repair.

A good rule of thumb is to inspect the roof once per season, and always before a major weather event such as a snowstorm or natural disaster.
Take precaution when going on a roof and always have someone outside on the ground to lend support.

Replacing damaged materials.

Roof shingles come in many forms: composition asphalt, clay tile, slate, wood shakes and metal. These materials can become cracked or broken, causing damage to the underlying materials. Luckily, replacing individual shingles is relatively cheap and easy to replace. Many local home supply stores sell shingles of all make, color and style.

Shingles are typically laid from the roof line (edge near the ground) to the peak in an overlapping style.
When replacing a shingle/tile you will need to gently remove the shingles above it in order to replace the damaged piece.
If you ever have a roof replaced, be sure to ask the contractor for any leftover materials to ensure you have a supply ready when shingles need to be replaced individually.

Water proofing

Water damage can be a costly repair, causing problems with mold, mildew, structural instability and even roof collapse. The shingles and metal flashing provides protection to the underlying roof materials from water and, if damaged, water can easily penetrate the base materials. Metal flashing is essential for keeping a water tight seal between the roof and structures such as the chimney, and bridging the gap between roof materials.

Use roofing nails (or tile clips for tiles) to secure the damaged nail to the base materials; overlaying the non-damaged shingle on top of the one replaced.
Flashing should be cut and bent to the cover all edges of where the roof meets another structure; nail the flashing into place and use caulking cement to provide a water tight seal.

Keeping it clean

Roofs are easily dirtied by animals, tree limbs and leaves and flying debris. Because roofs have a complex shape, it is easy for these items to gather and block essential roof functions such drainage. A dirty roof can lead to problems with animal waste, tree sap and mold.

Part of your seasonal roof inspection should include clearing away any nests, leaves, trash or dirt from around the chimney, in the valley of the roof lines and in gutters.
A small broom can be used to brush away large debris items and a hand tool can be used to clear away any smaller items that may be lodged in cracks or crevasses.

Protect your investment...and your warranty

Even if you have a newer roof, it needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained or you run the risk of voiding the manufacturer's warranty. If a fear of heigts keeps you off your roof, look for a trustworthy contractor who offers inspection and maintenance services. Your roof is your first line of defence against Mother Nature. Don't let neglect lead to bigger headaches and higher repair costs.