How to Maintain Your Roof for Longer Service

The roof system is the most vulnerable part of all exterior sections of your building. Talk of wind, ultraviolet radiation, snow, hail, rain, and all other elements, your roof system has seen them all. The performance of any roof structure depends on how it was installed, its design, and the quality of materials used to construct it. Roof maintenance plays a crucial role in preventing potential roof problems and in ensuring the roof is watertight under all conditions. Through early identification and quick repair of roofing problems, your roof system can last you for a very long time.

Professional Maintenance

According to experts, roof maintenance should be done on a bi-annual basis preferably in spring and fall. Instead of hiring just anyone to do your roof inspections, go for a trained roofing professional who has the expertise and the experience. Having a procedure in place where roof inspections are done routinely will help you detect problems early enough and this makes repairs manageable.

When to Do Roof Inspections

Inspections and maintenance are best done before and after extreme weather events such as tornadoes, hailstorms, and hurricanes. Moisture survey should be done periodically together with the normal visual survey. Just to mention, there are 3 main types of moisture survey that can be conducted on your roof system. All of these survey systems measure certain aspects of roof materials that change in the presence of water.

• Infrared Scan – This measures the quantity of heat retained or lost through insulation.
• Nuclear Isotopic Meters – These send hydrogen ions into the roof and then take count of the number that bounces back.
• Electrical Capacitance and Resistance – This system measures the ability of the roof to conduct electricity.

What to Expect During Roof Maintenance

Whenever you hire a roofing professional to perform routine maintenance, there are certain items you should expect him to focus on because of their vulnerability to damage. These include:

• Flashings – Most leaks originate from these areas. Locations such as walls, perimeters, skylights, and penetrations are some of the most susceptible areas. Flashings are more stressed because of differential movement, thermal movement, and UV degradation.
• Field – Items such as lap integrity, surface wear, and overall degradation can weigh heavily on the field of your roof. This calls for regular inspection.

Some of the activities your roof professional will most likely undertake as part of the maintenance exercise are: Loose Debris Removal Debris including branches and leaves tend to accumulate on roofs in winter. If you cannot remove this debris yourself because of their location or the structure of your roofing system, you can call in a roofing professional in Bournemouth to help you with the cleanup exercise. Most cleanups and maintenance tasks involving debris removal are done when the roof is dry so as to prevent slippage. General Repair and Inspection The professional will check the attic for stains that may indicate water leakage into your home. They also examine the roof for loose, lifted, or missing shingles as well as accumulation of mold and moss. Flashing or shingles should be repaired and replaced where necessary so that your roof can be a tightened piece of hardware. If you see your roof curling, peeling, or partially lifting shingles in one area more than the other, chances are that the roof is coming to the end of its useful life. A professional roofer can help you determine if you should indeed replace your roof. Gutters, Fascia, Soffits, and Downspouts These systems are part of your roof architecture and must be inspected and cleaned as well. Debris tends to accumulate on downspouts and gutters. To get rid of this, you Bournemouth roofing expert uses a small scoop to remove the debris and for the grime and dirt, a soft-bristled cleaning brush can do the job. In the course of the process, the expert will also look for missing caulk and instances of paint peeling. Replacements are best done at this time so that the whole exercise can be completed all at once. Not all roof maintenance exercises are to be done by roofing professionals. Simple tasks such as debris cleanup and unblocking gutters and drainage lines can be done by building personnel.