Want to keep your roof in tip-top condition for years to come? Regular roof maintenance is the answer!
There are many simple ways to extend your roof’s lifespan, from cleaning your gutters regularly to replacing slipped and broken roof tiles.
In this article, we’ll be delving into the importance of roof maintenance and sharing 6 of our top tips for maintaining a healthy roof.
Is Roof Maintenance Always Necessary?
Before we jump into our top tips, it’s essential for us to address a question that we hear time and time again.
Is roof maintenance REALLY that necessary?
In an ideal world, you’d buy a roof, leave it alone and everything would be a-ok for years to come. But, sadly, in 2023, we still need to put in a little effort to ensure that our roofs remain fit for purpose!
There are a whole host of reasons why maintaining your roof is essential for keeping it in good shape.
Maintaining your roof’s condition not only keeps your property looking great, but it also helps to protect it from damage that can occur due to weather conditions, ageing, and normal wear and tear.
If you neglect regular roof maintenance, it could lead to some very costly repairs and even pose a threat to your health and safety! So, never turn a blind eye to seemingly ‘minor issues’. By taking preventative measures and acting fast when problems arise, you will save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.
1. Keep Up with Regular Roof Cleaning
You might be surprised to hear that regular roof cleaning is one of the best ways to maintain the lifespan of your roof. Cleaning debris not only increases your property’s curb appeal, but it also helps to guarantee the safety and efficiency of your roof.
If left unchecked, organisms such as moss and algae can wreak havoc with your roof because they draw moisture into the roofing materials which can affect the structural integrity of your property and rot the timber frame system.
How often do you need to carry out roof moss removal?
In general, it’s best to clean natural organisms from your roof once every two years to prevent damage. However, if you have an ongoing issue with moss or algae build-up, then your roof may need checking annually.
If you need roof moss removal, remember to opt for an experienced roof cleaning professional as it requires specialist equipment and expertise to ensure that no damage is caused during the process.
2. Replacing Broken Roof Tiles
Another vital roof maintenance procedure is replacing broken roof tiles!
When tiled roofing becomes loose or broken, you end up with gaps in the roof which can lead to leaks, mould and poor energy efficiency. Think of it this way: wherever there is a space or opening in the roof that is not meant to be there, you’re allowing water to get in and heat to escape.
And it’s not just the elements that you need to contend with.
With gaps in your roof, you’re inviting pests, such as birds, rodents, and insects, to enter the building. These pests can cause serious damage to the interior and pose health risks to occupants.
So, to ensure that your tiled roofing remains safe and efficient, get in contact with a reputable roofing company to arrange a repair or replacement.
3. Clean Your Gutters Every Year
Next up on the list is gutter maintenance!
Cleaning gutters is no one’s favourite job, but it has to be done in order to maintain a healthy roof.
Over time, debris such as leaves, twigs, and dirt can accumulate in gutters, clogging them up and preventing water from draining properly. If this water has nowhere to escape to, it will overflow and can potentially cause damage to your roof, walls, and foundation.
By cleaning your gutters regularly, not only will they function more efficiently, but you’ll also be able to spot other problems such as cracks or damage to the gutters themselves, which can be addressed before they become more serious issues.
Since gutter cleaning can be a tricky task, it’s generally best to call in a professional, particularly if your property is 2 storeys or more. A plumber or experienced guttering expert can tackle the job with the right equipment, using the safest means possible.
4. Check For Birds Nesting in Roof Eaves
Is there a strange noise coming from the roof?
If you’ve ruled out rodents and other pests, there’s a good possibility that there may be birds nesting in the roof eaves. For your feathered friends, your warm and sheltered eaves provide the perfect home for them and their little hatchlings.
While the birds nesting in your eaves may not be doing you any harm, they could be causing chaos in ways that you might not even be aware of.
Did you know that bird droppings can be highly corrosive? Due to the high concentration of uric acid found in bird faeces, a build-up of bird excrement can slowly start to eat away at your roof, compromising its structural integrity.
To deal with unwanted visitors, it’s important that you don’t try to remove the birds yourself. A pest control expert will be able to deal with the issue safely and appropriately without harming the birds OR your roof.
5. Cut Back Nearby Tree Branches
Tree damage is no joke.
From falling branches to unsightly scratches and scrapes, there are a whole host of ways that trees can harm your roof if not properly cared for.
That’s why number 5 on our list of roof maintenance jobs involves a bit of tree surgery!
As you might have already guessed, once again, we’re not going to advise that you do this yourself. For the types of trees that do serious damage to roofing, you’re going to need to enlist the help of an arborist.
If you have a large tree in your garden that is edging dangerously close to your roofing and you suspect that it could cause issues in the near future, it’s time to do some pruning.
It’s important to note that, even if the tree trunk sits within a neighbour’s garden, you are still legally allowed to trim back overhanging branches. However, it’s always best to have a word with your neighbours first so that you can give them a heads-up.
6. Arrange a Roofing Inspection
They always say that you should leave the best until last don’t they?
That’s why, number 6 on our list of roof maintenance tips is roofing inspections!
Regular roofing inspections are a surefire way to spot problems early on and extend the lifespan of your roof. With an experienced roofing professional, you can identify the best ways to maintain your particular type of roofing and find out if there’s anything that requires immediate attention.
Why not enlist our help?
As a specialist roofing company in Bath, we regularly carry out roofing inspections on roofs of all shapes and sizes to ensure that they remain in tip-top condition. Give us a call on 01225 951223 and we can send someone out to help!