The most important part
of the physical structure of your house is your roof.
This part of the house is exposed to high winds,
pouring rain, sleet and snow and therefore most
susceptible to damage. The roof of your house should
be inspected after every winter to assess roof damage.
Making this a habit will save you sudden unexpected
expenses, that can arise from repairs that are need to
repair a damaged roof. A well-maintained roof is the
best protection that you can give the physical
structure of your house.
Asphalt roofs are intended to last only for about
15 years. Roofs made of slate, clay and tile can last for longer
only when well maintained. Experts have found that most owners
do not inspect their roofs regularly. Here are a few things that
you should remember while inspecting your roof for damages:
Check if there any trees growing close to the
roof. Trees can cause enormous amount of damage to the roof.
Branches of trees that hang over the roof can break, puncture
and damage the roofing material. Leaves can block the gutter
system on the roof, allowing rainwater to collect and this can
cause leaks in the attic. Keep the trees close to the roof
trimmed at all times.
Check for black streaks or discoloration on
the roof. This discoloration is a result of mold, algae or
fungus growing. This is especially a problem when the humidity
is high and on roofs that are in the shade for a long time. If
the roof is not treated it can result in damage to the roofing
material causing leaks in the house. Trim trees to increase
air circulation and install zinc strips along the roof ridges.
These strips form zinc oxide when they react with rainwater,
which forms a protective coating, which prevents the growth of
mold, fungus etc.
Over a period of time roofing material can
get torn off or can get weak. This weak roofing material can
get blown off by strong winds, thus making the home interiors
vulnerable to water damage. While inspecting if you find that
the roof is damaged then repair it immediately, as it will
only get worse with time.
You can fix a number of these problems on your
own. But it is advisable to use a professional roofing
contractor to do the repair. Make inspection of the roof a
regular habit.
