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For many, the roof tends to be some kind of mystical unknown entity that they only think about when things go wrong and start fretting that it will cost a fortune to repair. This is for a good reason: most people aren’t all that handy and will make any excuse to avoid climbing up and down a ladder to look at something they have no understanding of. However, ensuring your roof stays in top condition really ought to be something that every homeowner strives to do, as the costs of failing to do so and not catching an issue in advance probably will cost you a fortune (and if you haven’t maintained it adequately, you may not be entitled to an insurance claim). In order to avoid this fate, we have compiled a list of seven easy roofing tips anyone can use to keep their house in a habitable state and keep their bank account in the black.
Regularly Inspect Your Roof For Damage (Or Hire Someone To Do It)
Before worrying about how much a roof repair may cost, it’s a good idea to perform an inspection yourself if you know what you’re looking for or call in those who do. If you choose the latter option, just make sure you hire roofing companies that are highly rated by previous customers and have some kind of way to prove their ability via credentials and a rating from the Better Business Bureau, etc. You can go here to see what this might look like, but the key is to get a few quotes and go for a company you believe actually has your interests at heart. Once you or a contractor has discovered an issue (if there is indeed one, to begin with), you can start coming up with a solution. This might involve figuring out ways to increase ventilation inside your attic or possibly other more extreme measures like completely retiling or reshingling it if needed.
Clear Debris
Just like your gutters, which we discuss in the next point, keeping your actual roof clear from debris is perhaps one of the best, most proactive ways in which you can ensure your roof remains problem-free. Just as with the next point, this will require you to leave your fear of heights at the door and bring out your ladder to take a peek now and then. If you can see it from ground level, you might be able to ascertain if it needs clearing without climbing up, and if so, you can call in professional cleaners to do the job. If you want to save a bit of money, you can always attempt it yourself as long as you adhere to a range of health and safety protocols. However, if it is particularly bad or you are on the tail end of a strong storm, you might need to call in professionals, as the amount of work to clean and dispose of the debris could be more extensive than you can cope with alone.
Ensure Gutters Are Clean And Functional
Your gutters aren’t merely to stop rainwater from pounding down on your head as you attempt to get in the front door; they serve as a valuable device to keep water from coming inside your house and wreaking absolute havoc throughout. A gutter can only perform its job if it remains clear of debris like leaves, twigs, etc; otherwise, water can start backing up and leaking over the edges or even behind and into the more delicate parts of the structure. It also happens to be a relatively straightforward job that anyone can do as long as they have a ladder and gloves.
Trim Overhanging Branches
There is nothing quite like coming back from a long day at work only to discover that a branch you were thinking about cutting back has, in fact, fallen and smashed through your roof. To avoid this fate, you ought to cut back any large, ominous-looking branches before they become an issue.
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Check For Loose Or Missing Shingles
The roofs of American homes are overwhelmingly made using shingles. While this material serves a practical purpose in being far more affordable and flexible than tiles, it tends to be less durable. Shingles are the protective barrier that stops whatever is on the outside from coming inside and seriously ruining your day. Therefore, it makes sense to spend a small amount of money repairing damaged ones to avoid something much more costly down the line.
Monitor Your Attic For Signs Of Moisture
If you have ever gone into your attic space only to find it stinks of mold and rot, you probably have a problem with ventilation. Without enough ventilation, the space can become humid and moist, and the longer you leave it, the more likely rot will set in. Once this happens, you could have a severe issue on your hands, especially if the load-bearing columns need replacing.
Stay Informed About Local Weather Conditions (And Act Accordingly)
If you live in areas prone to extreme weather conditions, maintaining a proactive approach can do wonders. If you see that a storm is headed your way, it’s prudent to perform a basic check of everything mentioned thus far in this post and prepare for the storm. This could be cleaning your gutters in anticipation of heavy rainfall or cutting back trees before the storm hits and breaks off limbs that might damage your roof.
There are plenty of things one can do to ensure the longevity of your roof, and with a little bit of creativity, you can avoid the pitfalls of spending the last of your meager savings on fixing something significant that could have been remedied with far less effort. If you really don’t know what to look for, you can always hire a proficient roofing company that can check, fix, and maintain your roof all year round.
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