Every building has a roof, regardless of whether it’s a shed, greenhouse, outhouse, or home. Roofs play an important part in any building envelope, protecting the rest of the building from all the elements, as well as everything and everyone inside it. However, because roofs are above us, many of us tend not to worry about them, until something makes us. This could be a leak that’s only been discovered when a wet patch has appeared on an upstairs ceiling, blocked guttering, or if you find a slate or two in your backyard. But with regular maintenance, this could be avoided. With this in mind, we look at how to check if your roof needs maintenance, and why this is important.
First thing’s First…
As mentioned in our introduction, you should make sure your roof is regularly checked by a professional. It wouldn’t hurt if you carried out a basic search in between these professional checks, and after extreme weather, just so you can identify any changes in its appearance. If you do, then you can call a professional roofer before it gets worse.
Also keep an eye on your ceilings and walls, for any damp patches, water spots, mold, or mildew. These can often be an indication that there is a leak in your roof. If you do see any of these in your home, call a roofer immediately.
Spot Check Shingles
Shingles should always lie flat against the roof. If you notice any that are curled at the edges, are damaged or cracked or have buckling patches, you should call out a professional. Most shingles will last around 25 to 50 years, depending on their longevity, according to this Iowa City roofing contractor. But extreme weather can cause problems to occur a lot sooner, which is why spot checks are worth completing. If you notice anything different, get it sorted before more damage occurs.
Falling Mortar
It’s also important to regularly check the mortar on your roof. If you have an old-type roof, the mortar will be used to bed the roof tiles, meaning it could break off and fall. Mortar is used to protect the verges on your roof as well as its junction. As with most things, your roof mortar has a lifespan and is prone to damage caused by weather damage, and general wear and tear. The verge and ridges can crack, gradually dislodge and then fall, especially in high winds.
Damaged Flashing
The purpose of roof flashing is to prevent water movement into your roof and subsequently into your property. It’s usually found by parts of your roof that sticks out, like your chimney, for instance. Flashing is waterproof, but it becomes loose when water penetrates it. This can then lead to water damage to your walls and ceilings, which could show as mold and mildew, amongst other serious damage.
Remember: any damage to your roof’s flashing is cause for concern, so if you notice the flashing bending upwards, or cracked, it’ll need to be inspected to find the origin of the leak
Is your Roof Rotting?
Your roof should have a sharp outline, usually straight lines around its perimeter. This shows that your roof is generally in shape, which you can see if you stand back to look at it. However, if you notice any area of your roof sagging, especially at its lowest points, it’s time to call out a roofing professional as soon as you do. If you find yourself doing this, make sure you check your whole property for rot, trapped moisture, and rotting boards.
Unwanted Plants
If you bought a house with a roof garden, then you will inevitably have greenery on it. However, if you’re living in a property with a standard slate roof, and you notice moss growing on it, you need professional help - quickly. Moss is an indication that there is trapped moisture in your roof, which can potentially ruin it. Of course, you can brush the moss off, but that only gets rid of it. You still need a professional roofer to tackle the problem that caused it in the first place.
As the condition of your roof can affect the overall value of your home, it should have regular maintenance checks, whether external or internal. Periodically doing this, or in ad hoc situations of extreme weather, will ensure that a potential issue or damage is repaired as soon as it’s discovered. This could not only save money on repairs but also stop a small problem from becoming a big one. So an hour or so of your time checking your roof is worth it in the long run.
By looking out for the issues discussed in this article, you’ll be able to prevent your roof from needing replacing. If you’re unable to check your roof, yourself, then get a professional to regularly do this, at the very minimum. Paying for their regular maintenance checks will save you money and a lot of headaches.
