As a homeowner, you already have a lot on your plate. Keeping a house running is no mean feat! Over our years in the residential roofing Auckland services industry, we’ve found that because of this, many homeowners don’t want to even think about their roof maintenance. It tends to be an out-of-sight-of-mind issue.
But there is some good news. Roof maintenance can be as simple as it is effective. While your well-installed roof is designed to last a very long time with minimal maintenance, the key to successful maintenance is consistency.
If you can make professional roof maintenance part of your seasonal to-do list, you’ll have no trouble keeping your roof in good repair for decades to come. Regular inspections and proactive repairs will ensure that if damage occurs, you’ll identify it quickly and be able to resolve it without small issues escalating into costly headaches.
At Solution Roofing, we believe in making residential roofing services as pain-free as possible for our customers. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our top (easy) tips for maintaining your residential roof. Let’s dive in.
Conduct Regular DIY Inspections
The foundation of any good roof maintenance routine is a simple visual check-up every so often. Once a month, take a moment to walk the perimeter of your home and visually inspect your roof from the ground. Much like keeping an eye on your vehicle or a favourite piece of technology in your home, this visual inspection may quickly alert you to any issues you might have missed.
Always conduct your visual inspection from the ground. Going onto your roof can be dangerous and causes many homeowners to incur fall injuries every year. If you’d like a more thorough inspection or you spot an issue that needs to be looked at further, make sure to contact your residential roofing services professionals.
Remove Gutter Debris (Safely)
After storms or extreme weather events, debris can collect on your roof and in your gutter system. While it may seem harmless, the accumulation of debris can cause major problems for you down the line. When it comes to residential roofing Auckland-wide, this issue is fairly common, as Auckland is notorious for some pretty hectic weather patterns.
The most common issue we see from neglecting this maintenance task is the dreaded clogged gutter. With no room to drain, water starts accumulating on the roof and overflowing where it shouldn’t. This can age your roof prematurely by inviting lichen, pests, and even mould into your roofing system.
The solution? Regularly clean your gutters. If you spot debris accumulating, call a professional residential roofing services team. They will arrive with all the tools and equipment required to get the job done well and safely.
Get Damage Repaired Quickly
Escalation is a real issue when it comes to your residential roof. Some property owners choose to ignore minor damage in the hopes that it will resolve itself. But, over the years, we’ve found that it only makes things worse and that things can get bad quickly.
For example, a small leak can quickly evolve into a large one. Water ingress can damage your roof deck, rot out your insulation, damage your cladding and lead to catastrophic structural damage.
Your roof is a carefully sealed structure, and when it’s breached, you need to act quickly. In most cases, it’s much cheaper to repair the damage as soon as it happens rather than waiting a few months to get it seen to. It’s also generally far less stressful!
Prevent Moss & Lichen Growth
While moss and lichen may seem harmless in small amounts, they can actually spell disaster for your roof if allowed to grow freely. Overgrown moss or algae can prevent water from draining properly off your roof, creating pooling. Over time, these puddles create more algae, and the constant presence of water can cause the roofing material to degrade, rusting and corroding to form holes.
These seemingly harmless growths have the potential to turn your roof from a protective covering that will last around 18 years into a compromised cover that won’t last the year. Luckily, it’s actually quite easy to prevent them from growing.
Certain metals repel the growth of moss and lichen, so installing strips of these metal types ensures the growth of moss and lichen is heavily reduced, helping to keep your roof in good shape. You can also opt for dedicated treatments that will clear the moss and retard future growth.
It can also help to trim overhanging branches, as these encourage water to collect on your roof. They also offer a bridge for pests who are looking for a way up.
Opt for Regular Professional Maintenance
The smartest approach is to let the professionals take a look at your roof every so often. This is one of the most important residential roofing services you can opt for as a homeowner. Regular professional inspections and maintenance will do wonders for your roof’s ongoing health and offset the need for a premature replacement.
Rather than being unpleasantly surprised by a major roofing issue, choose a roofing team you can trust to check in and let you know where issues are emerging and developing. This will also help you budget for larger repairs, replacement or re-roofing up ahead.
Keep your roof in tip-top shape for decades to come.
Save on time, money, and stress by partnering with Solution Roofing, the number one name in residential roofing Auckland-wide. We offer everything from planning and installations to regular maintenance for properties of all types.
Is your roof overdue for a bit of maintenance? Get in touch with our team to arrange a pain-free residential roofing services quote.