Roof maintenance and repairs are some of the most important things you have to deal with as a homeowner. However, not all homeowners truly understand the very best practices they can use to keep their roofing in great condition. Read the following paragraphs to learn some tips you can use about how to find and fix roof leaks.
Never start looking for leaks until after the rain has stopped. You might even need to wait for the roof to dry. A roof is usually a sloped surface, and it’s already elevated. Losing your footing and slipping up here can kill you.
If you’re not sure how to fix any leak permanently, do it temporarily. Get some heavy plastic and then nail it down. It’s not the greatest way to address a leak, but if you’re not sure how to deal with it or just don’t have the supplies available for a proper job, this will buy you some precious time.
Look over your materials before you use them on your roof. Improper installation is a primary cause of leaks, be it cracked shingles or inappropriately sized nails. Make sure that everything is in great shape and matches the rest of your roof before you patch something.
If need be, get a friend and a garden hose to help you find leaks. If you talk to each other over your wireless or cell phones, you can water-test the roof to find the weak spots in the roof.
Anytime you get on your roof, clear it of all debris, be it branches or leaves. As debris gets built-up, water will pool. When water pools, it can contribute to rotting underneath the shingles, which costs you money and means leaks.
Don’t ever let the constant need for roof repairs get you down, especially if you have to keep buying new shingles and nails. A roof that is well-tended is going to last a lot longer than one that isn’t, possibly even up to half cheaper per year, so you’re actually saving money in the long run.
You might think about painting your roof, but this isn’t always a good idea. In some cases, roof painting can actually void warranties. Check out your homeowner’s insurance policy before you do anything to see if you’re allowed to do it in the first place. Also, check out any HoA bylaws that might apply as well.
After you do any roof work up there, wait for the next rain to come along and then check your attic. This way, you’ll know that any repairs you did resolve your leaks correctly. You’ll also see if any other shingles or parts were damaged or not, or just if you missed something.
If you’re like many homeowners, then you know how crucial it is to keep your roof ship shape. On the other hand, many homeowners have no idea how they can go about maintaining one. Now that you have read this article, hopefully, you have learned a few things about finding and fixing your roof leaks. You can of course always hire contractors and professionals to handle such things for you, even down to cleaning out your gutters and doing semi-annual roof inspections and maintenance. Roof repair company near me is a good resource to find experts in the field. On the other hand, the more you can do on your own, the more money you save, and the more true ownership you take for your home. It’s also a very useful skillset to have after big storms when many of the roofers in your city might be busy helping everyone else. You might even get good enough at it to help out family, friends, and neighbors in exchange for other favors that work to your advantage later.