Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home but how often do you think about maintaining your roof? Roof maintenance is a topic that most domestic home owners ignore.
It is very easy to forget about your roof because you cannot see it, but your roof is exposed to so many harsh weather conditions every day, especially in the winter. A combination of strong winds, continuous rain, hail, frost and sometimes even snow, can really take its toll and lead to serious damage and deterioration.
The number one cause of roof problems is in fact poor maintenance so you really should be getting your roof inspected on a regular basis. We understand that this is an expense you probably do not want, but regular visits from a Roofing Company are actually far more cost-effective in the long-run. Not only can they identify issues before they become a problem, if neglected, the lifespan of a roof can be dramatically shortened.
There is never a bad time to have your roof checked but why is this particularly important in winter?
It can prevent leaks from occurring
Leaks can be expensive to fix. Not only do you have to repair the roof, but also any damage caused to the inside of your house. They say prevention is better than cure and, in this case, nothing could be truer.
It is especially important to have maintenance checks in winter because the regular process of ice freezing and melting onto your roof can cause leaks in weakened areas. A roofing company will be able to check for any existing leaks or if there are any areas of concern which could potentially cause problems in the near future.
Your gutters may be blocked
As the leaves begin to fall off the trees, they often settle in gutters which can easily lead to them getting blocked. If you have not checked your gutters since the beginning of winter, it is highly advisable to do this now because leaves may have been sitting in there for months or even years. A blockage means that your gutters will not be able to drain water away from your home which could cause damage.
If you do not have a safe way of gaining access to your gutters, please call a Roofing Company who will be able to help you.
Your vents may be blocked
Vents need to be kept clear at all times. If they are blocked or clogged, this can lead to poor drainage and bad smells lingering. It is highly unlikely that you would know if your vents are blocked so it is very important to get a professional to come in and take a look.
It can prevent pests making their way into your home
It is not just the winter chill that you are trying to keep out of your homes at this time of year, pests can be a big problem too. Freezing cold temperatures and scarce food supplies make winter a very difficult time for any wild animal so it is not uncommon for rodents to try and make their way into buildings.
Never underestimate how determined a hungry rodent can be. If they spot a potential entry point into your home, they will find a way in and believe it or not, not even your roof is safe. If you have trees surrounding your property, they will climb up them and onto your roof. Even if you do not have trees nearby, you are still at risk because rats can even climb up bricks.
Once on your roof, if there are any loose tiles or holes, rodents can make their way into the attic where you can guarantee they will make themselves right at home. You may think you would know about it if you had rats or mice but they will do everything they can to avoid human contact and if they are hiding in your loft, chances are you will not know about it. Typically, most people do not realise they have an infestation until significant damage has been caused.
Regular roof maintenance will ensure that there are no possible entry points on your roof which dramatically reduces the likelihood of sharing your home with unwanted guests.
For more information about roof maintenance or to request a free quotation, please contact Keay Roofing Services Ltd and we will be more than happy to help.
Keay Roofing Services Ltd
TEL: 01753-358267
E-MAIL: office@keayroofingservices.com