A few imple steps to take to keep your roof from leaking or becoming damaged is vital during the winter months in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Rain, snow, ice, sleet and heavy winds are already upon us and the last thing you want now after the holidays is to have to fork out more cash to repair a damaged or worn out roof.
Keeping your home protected this winter will give you peace of mind but actually starts in the months leading up to winter.
Some simple tips that go a long way in keeping your roof repair to a minimum range from removing fallen objects like leaves and twigs to ensuring tiles or shingles are in good working order and not in a state of disrepair.
Spending an hour examining the condition of the roof structure in general will prevent costly roof leak repair or roof replacement in the near and long term.
Too often, homeowners only think about their roofs when there is an issue, such as a leak, and then it is usually too late and either a qualified roofing contractor will need to repair or replace all or part of the existing roof.
The key, as with mmost homecare best practices, is regular maintenance and inspection instead.
Simple seasonal precautions can help spot early signs of damage and wear and thus prevent costly repairs in the long run.
The wind, rain, snow and stormy weather can lead to cracked, loose or damaged tiles or shingles during the changing seasonal months.
This allows water and moisture access to the underlying roof structure which is then vulnerable to weather damage and internal leaks.
A compromised or leaky roof will cause additiional issues, such as damaged insulation which could cause heat loss and higher energy bills.
Heat and cold changing the physical characteristics of the roofing material by making it brittle or soft, expanding and contracting, stretching and shrinking, all lead to constant wear and tear on the material eventually leading to the material breaking down in various ways.
Over time the water and moisture will find cracks and holes in the structure whether it be wood shingle, metal sheet or ceramic or metal tile, and eventually find it’s way into the home itself, usually first through the attic or above ceiling space and until it becomes obvious inside the living space.
Usually, by the time the homeowner experiences the actual roof leak inside the living space, it has already progressed to a more serious stage and could possibly be too late.
Simply walking the roof, if possible, looking for signs of damage or wear, broken/missing shingles, gaps, holes, tears, missing flashing, metal seams come undone, etc. is fairly quick and easy to do.
Clearing roof obstructions like leaves and other natural debris as well as insuring that they are removed from valleys and gutters of the roof on a regular basis can be done at regularly scheduled intervals and is a small price to pay in time and energy as opposed to the alternative that months or years of neglect will ultimately cost.
Additionally, lichen, moss, mold, mildew, rust build up on the roofs surface and will break down the roofs structure over time also possibly affecting the flow of rainwater.
Moss often grows on areas of the roof that don’t receive much sunlight including those that are north facing or are shaded or under overhanging limbs or trees.
The growths typically occur on the tile/shingle surface and between roof tiles/shingles. The important issue with this is that it can cause moisture retention and tiles/shingles to lift or displace and eventually to rot and break down from the moisture.
These various environmental conditions naturally erode, break down and destroy the roof material structure and if not kept in check or removed will eventually lead to costly roof repair or roof replacement by a professional roofing contractor or roofing company.
Just simply being observant and being aware of the ongoing condition of one’s roof is merely a responsible activity that can be scheduled at regular intervals every few months.
Even if one’s roof is not safely accessible, the small cost of hiring a qualified roofing contractor or handyman to examine the roof on a regular basis is a negligible insurance against the much greater cost or roof repair or replacement.
Checking the attic to identify roof leaks or cracks is a mandatory part of the ongoing seasonal maintenance as well.
And, although a professional will always be able to identify an issue correctly, a visit to one’s loft or attic can usually be an important first step in helping spot the early signs of bigger roofing damage internally.
Winter is a great time of year to check the roof internally, particularly when retrieving Christmas decorations from the attic or when putting them back in.
The temperature is also usually much more tolerable in the winter as compared to the sometimes sweltering conditions of summer as well as the absence of the threat of wasps or hornets that like to inhabit some attics or roofs in summer.
Examining the rafters, underlay, loft boards and insulation for signs of water should all be done in order to indicate the absence or presence of a water problem.
Internal inspection that leads to suspicious signs should always be followed up by an external inspection, carried out by a qualified roofing contractor using suitable roof access equipment, so the problem is not left to worsen.
More and more households these days are opting for solar panels, particularly as energy prices soar.
These provide yet more opportunities for leaves, debris, etc. to build up around supports and structure causing additional points of moisture and weather penetration through the roof.
All attachments, structures, stands should be thoroughly caulked and flashed by a trained professional and inspected and cleared regularly of debris to insure no degradation has occurred.
Regular maintenance, cleaning, upkeep and inspection are all that is required insuring the homeowner for leak free and dry roof life for many years to come.
Crawfordsville Roofing Services can perform any and all regular roof inspection and seasonal maintenance required for all wood shake, fiberglass shingle, tile, metal roof, etc.
Call today for a free quote 317-743 2228 and to schedule an inspection.