Roofs are undeniably an essential structural element of any construction. Why? Well, because they do the most and are your family’s first line of defence against the elements.
Even worse, our roofs are constantly exposed to different weather patterns and fluctuating temperatures throughout the year. One moment it’s cold and snowing, and the next, your roof is either facing off against fierce sun exposure or blustery winds and torrential rain.
Couple all these together and you’ll see why your roof needs some Tender Loving Care (TLC) every once in a while.
With that in mind, here are 5 ways you can help increase your roof’s longevity and keep it looking its best.
- Promptly Take Care of Any Invaders
While our nation’s climate is lovely, it can also result in pest problems, including rats, mice, bats, and squirrels looking for warm places to live after winter temperatures set in. After finding their way inside, these pests then chew apart the roofing materials to make the entryways larger.
Even worse, they can destroy wiring and insulation or even cause moisture damage and introduce bacteria and bad smells through droppings and food.
To ensure this nightmare never unfolds on your home’s roof, sufficiently cover all entry points and carry out roof repairs in fall to safeguard your roof from these unwanted visitors.
- Check the Siding For Damage Signs
Whenever your home’s siding has an issue, it can affect your roof’s integrity (and vice versa!) So, during roof inspections, give the siding quick once-overs to ensure soffits and panels are secure.
- Keep Big Branches on Overhanging Trees Under Control
Overhanging branches and trees that directly lead to your home’s roof create the connection required by critters that may want to nest in your loft. Big branches can also damage or scrape your roof because of unsightly shingle blow-offs.
That’s not all. The shade tree branches created on your roof also promote the efficient growth of moss. If you’ve ever dealt with moss, you know that it’s a nightmare to eliminate once it establishes.
As such, the general rule of thumb is to keep tree branches trimmed at least 10ft away from your roof. If you have no experience in this department, get in touch with an Ottawa roofing professional, and they’ll help you out.
- Prevent Ice Dam Formation
It’s undeniable that ice dams are pretty to look at. However, anytime you let them build up, it spells doom for your roof. Even worse, getting your roof back to its mint conditions after damages from ice dams is intensive and costly, so you’ll want to avoid that.
What can you do? Take the necessary steps to insulate your home and roof. The goal is to ensure your roof stays cool at the same temperature levels as the external environment. That’ll keep snow closest to the roof from thawing and freezing onto the roof’s colder parts.
- Get to Know Your Roof
Take images of your roof when it’s in tip-top condition, and familiarize yourself with how it looks when everything is right. From there, you only need to look and listen. After any strong winds, rain, or hail, give your roof a check afterward and use the images you took to ensure that everything is intact.
Things you should look for include:
- Any noticeable storm damage on your roof structure
- Curled shingles
- Missing shingles
- Damaged flashing around skylights or chimneys
- Damaged flashing around the vents
If any of these are noticeable (however subtle), it’s time to look out for some roof repair options.
