Roof Repair and Maintenance

Published by: Nicole Kinsman
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

Replacing a roof can be a costly and stressful experience for home owners. With routine maintenance and repair the life of your roof can be extended. There are several steps a homeowner can take to provide routine care for their roof. And as an added bonus many of these techniques can cost little to no money for the home owner.

The first technique that can be employed by home owners is perform a regular visual inspection of the roof. The inspection should be performed once every one to two months to determine the condition of the roof as well as insuring the roof is free of debris. Debris such as branches and leaves from over hanging trees can trap moisture and cause the roof to deteriorate faster. It is recommended that cleaning this debris be performed regularly to minimize the risk of damage. If the roof has a gutter system, debris should be removed from this area as well. Excess debris in the gutters can clog the system, thereby leaving standing water on the roof.

Tall trees are most often the number one cause of roof debris. Therefore, another measure that can be taken is to routinely trim and maintain tall trees. Any trees or other foliage should be trimmed at the beginning of the rainy season. For most areas this season falls within the months of May and April. When trimming these tress the first area of concern is over hanging branches. These branches will add to the amount of debris on the roof as well as pose a risk of damaging the roof if the fall. These branches should be trimmed back so that they are no longer over the roof.

If your roof is in need of repair even after taking these steps, many of the repairs can be done easily by the home owner. The first step to take is to gage the extent of the damage to the roof. Most of the time all the is required when repairing a roof is to replace a few shingles. When performing this repair the first step to take is to purchase some shingles as well as roofing nails. Roofing nails must be used due to the fact that they have a special coating that prevents rust and corrosion. Once you have purchased the proper materials simply replace the damaged or missing shingles. For more involved repairs or for roofs made of tin or gravel you may want to contact a licensed roofer to make the necessary repairs.

Home owners should get in the habit of performing routine roof maintenance at least every other month. While routine roof maintenance can take time from a home owners busy schedule, it will pay off in the long run. Proper roof maintenance can save the home owner both time and money.

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