What if I told you that there are a few things you can do to protect your home from leaks and other roofing problems? In this blog post, we’ll share 8 tips for homeowners.
Never Use Asphalt Roofing Tar On A Metal Or Concrete Roof
Asphalt roofing tar is like superglue, and it will stick to your roof for good. It also does not go well with metal or concrete roofs because the roofing tar creates a chemical reaction that breaks down roof materials.
If you’ve used roofing glue on any part of your roof, be sure to scrape it off as soon as possible. You can use a roof cement solvent solution to help remove sticky roofing tar residue after you have removed it with a putty knife.
Check Gaps around Skylights And Chimneys
Place a balled-up sheet over chimney stacks and skylight shafts throughout your home before going inside for the night. Look for changes in daylight or draftiness once morning comes. If there are gaps, roofing caulk can help seal and protect your roof from leaks and other roofing problems.
Be sure to check skylights for flashing membrane tears or damage before adding roofing cement to the asphalt roof.
Check Your Roof Regularly
You should look over your roof at least once a year for loose shingles, cracked tiles, etc. Check dead branches hanging above your roofline as well because they may be able to cause roof damage in high winds if they fall onto or puncture a hole through the roof’s surface.
If you have not done so recently, consider hiring an experienced roofer to inspect and repair any issues on your roof.
Don’t Let Roofing Debris Build Up
If roofing materials or roofing insulation collects in the gutters, roof runoff and downspouts can become clogged. This buildup of roofing debris will limit water flow and cause roof damage over time. Be sure to clean out your gutters at least twice a year (some roofers recommend cleaning them four times per year) so that natural roof runoff can do its job at eroding away small problems before they turn into big ones.
Patch Roofing Material Before It’s Too Late
If your shingles seem to be curling, buckling or missing, it could be time to repair that roof before problems become worse. Fortunately, asphalt roofing tiles are fairly easy and inexpensive to replace so you can add more roofing material if necessary instead of having a complete roof replacement done down the line.
It is also important to know where original materials were made for warranty purposes. If you cannot find an original product label with manufacture location information, ask the roofer what materials they will use before making final payment because some manufacturers do not cover warranty work on products that failed due to installation issues.
Repair Roof Damage Before The Roofing Season Begins
You may not notice roof damage until snow melts in spring because your roof is covered with snow for months. If you get roof repairs done in winter, a roofer can often make temporary repairs to stop leaks while permanent roof damages are repaired at another time of year. Otherwise, make sure the roofer you hire will return and repair roof damage caused by the other contractor when they fail to do their job properly.
When it comes to roofing materials like asphalt tiles or metal sheets, be sure to hire a roofing company that specializes in those materials.
If your house is experiencing water leakage problems on an annual basis or extensive weather-related damage has occurred more than once, roofing replacement may be necessary.
If you have roofing repairs done in summer or fall, a roofer can often make temporary repairs to stop leaks while permanent roof damages are repaired at another time of year. Otherwise, make sure the roofer you hire will return and repair roof damage caused by the other contractor when they fail to do their job properly.
Roofing is an integral part of any home that offers security along with protection from elements outside your home. If you notice water leaking through your roof or into your attic space after heavy rains or sub-zero days, it’s important to get roof repairs done so water does not cause extensive damage to the interior of your home as well as mold problems that could impact indoor air quality.
