Your home is most likely, one of the largest – if not the largest – investments you’ve ever made. That’s why it’s important to ensure that it’s maintained and structurally sound, especially if it’s an older build. That includes your roof. Out of sight, out of mind isn’t always a good thing, as we can easily disregard the maintenance of crucial areas until it’s too late. If your roof springs a leak, it can be a major headache for you, and a costly repair. So here are a few tips to help you ensure that your home is protected against a leaky roof.
Clean Your Gutters
It’s often the simple things in life that can make all the difference, and that goes for your roof. During those long winter months, a lot of debris and junk can easily accumulate through your gutters, preventing proper drainage. Without proper drainage, rainwater can easily accumulate and pool in areas along the roof, weakening it over time.
Every spring, hire a contractor, or grab a handy friend and a ladder to clean out those leaves. While you’re at it, it’s a good opportunity to evaluate the state of your gutters and downspouts. Does rainwater flow as it should safely away from your home? Are they are any missing, broken, rusted, or otherwise damaged sections that should be replaced or repaired? Now is the perfect time to take care of this important maintenance task before the cold weather returns.
Trim Tree Branches
In addition to cleaning out your gutters, you may also want to take a look at your trees. If there are any branches that are hanging over your roof and gutters, it may be worth trimming them back to reduce the amount of debris that can accumulate and eventually leading to pooling water. Small animals like squirrels and racoons also use tree branches to climb onto your roof and squeeze their way into your attic if there are any holes, so trimming tree branches is also important for this reason. If upon inspection you notice signs of rot or any other concerns with the tree, you may want to investigate removing the tree altogether to keep your home safe.
Reseal the Edges
Along the edges and vents of your roof are what are called flashing and pipe boots. These materials are crucial for waterproofing your roof and preventing leaks. It’s a good idea to check them out each year and reseal them. All it requires is some additional caulking and epoxy to do the job. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, hiring a professional roofer to reseal it for you is always a worthy investment that may save you a lot of money in the long run.
Roof Inspection
Finally, at least every two or three years, you should hire a roof inspector to take a thorough look at the status of it. This way you can potentially avoid any nasty surprises and costly repairs. Otherwise, you may be left with far more advanced roof problem that requires more costly and expensive repairs that you may have been able to avoid with an ounce of prevention.
Keeping on top of your roof maintenance is the best way to avoid leaky surprises. Always perform annual checks. Don’t let debris accumulate in the gutters, and trim extending tree branches when necessary. Reseal the edges after each winter, and always get a professional to inspect it every few years.
Lucas Contracting is one of the most well-reputed roofing contractors in the Ottawa area. We provide roof repairs, shingle replacement, flat roofing, seamless gutters, Wakefield Bridge, Euroshield, and Decra installations for home and business owners in Ottawa, Kanata, Orleans, Barrhaven, Gatineau, and throughout the National Capital Region.
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