Your roof keeps working day and night to make sure that your house is secured from the hostile climate of Australia. Whether it’s the hot summer sun or the wet winters, your roof works like an efficient shield. Though your roof remains your house’s unsung hero by protecting it from adverse environmental factors, it’s your responsibility as a homeowner to take care of it.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
The roof should be inspected at least twice a year, once in autumn and once in the spring. Check your roof for missing, cracked, or curled shingles or deteriorated flash around chimneys and vents. First, use your binoculars from the ground to look for dips in the roof or debris. Don’t wait for a problem to become structural. Frequently check your attic for heat gain, too.
Check and Replace Missing or Damaged Roofing Material
Loose roof tiles affect your roof’s watertight nature. Repair your roofing tiles that may be cracked or missing. Otherwise, loose ones ought to be promptly replaced as well. Focus on those that may be at the edges of your roofs. Valleys on your roofs should also be accorded special attention, since much water passes through them. Make sure new roof tiles look like your existing ones.
Address Moss and Algae Growth
In Australia’s wet environment, it’s very easy to notice growth of either moss or algae on roofs. Moss and algal growth tend to retain high levels of moisture. That contributes to the deteriorating of roofs. Removal of moss on roofs should be carried out using chemicals that can act from top to bottom without forcing water through roofs. That’s an approach that can prevent growth of new moss.
Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters can invite water to back up and affect your roof, fascia board, or foundation. Gutters should regularly be cleaned by removing the leaves that accumulate. Ensure that your downspout stretches at least two meters away from your foundation. Installation of gutter covers could be very helpful, so keep this in mind.
Remove Overhanging Trees
The proximity of the tree’s branches to your roofing system poses various risks. These may include damaging your roofing system due to strong wind gusts, use as pathways by pests that may gain access to your house, as well as the debris that may accumulate in your gutters. You may want to consider pruning these branches to create at least a meter gap between them and your roofing system. Large trees surrounding your house may require the services of an arborist.
Ensure Proper Attic Ventilation
The attic ventilation system prevents moisture that may rot the roof decking. The attic ventilation system should ensure that the soffit vents remain unblocked and that the ridgeline vents work properly. The attic ventilation system assists in controlling temperatures within the attic. The energy bills may increase as temperatures within the attic become high, and nobody wants this. In cold climates, ice dams form.
Engage a Specialist for Repairing
While homeowners can handle simple house repairs on their own, complex jobs should always be handled by professionals, such as colorbond roof experts. Registered roofers have the skills, equipment, and insurance necessary to offer roof services. They can identify hidden problems as well as ensure that whatever services are carried out on roofs meet Australian roof standards. Experts also conduct periodic checks on roofs to identify problems that homeowners may overlook.
Protect Your Investment Through Consistent Care
Roofing upkeep jobs may appear like a frustrating investment, but they pale in comparison to the cost of a new roof. Through these important roofing upkeep jobs, homeowners can ensure that the life of the roofing system they put on the house is prolonged. Your roof upkeep prevents very expensive water damage. In addition to that, your property value increases!
