Protecting your roof from developing roof leaks or getting any sort of damage is essential. After all, you want to keep the people inside safe from harm. And you want to enhance the curb appeal of the house, while also having ideal insulation to help keep the temperature inside the house well-maintained no matter what the weather outside is like. So… you need to understand the importance of keeping the roof leak-proof.
Generally, the main reasons behind roof leaks are stormy weather, strong winds, or the deterioration of the condition of the roof when it’s not well-maintained or is getting old.
So how can you determine whether your roof is suffering from leaks?
- Do you encounter signs of wet stains on the ceiling or the walls of the house?
- Do you see the growth of mold and mildew on surfaces due to trapped moisture content?
- Are shingles damaged, blown-off, curled-up, or buckled-up?
- Do you see signs of water stains on the roof decking?
- Is water dripping from the gutters even without rain or snow melting?
- Is the flashing around the chimney damaged?
You don’t want leaks. So what should you do when you want your roof to be in good shape and leak-proof?
How can you keep your roof protected from leaks?
#1 Get the Roof Regularly Inspected And Maintained:
Most of the time, homeowners avoid roof maintenance because it seems like a tedious task and requires time and effort. When the condition of the roof goes unnoticed for a long time, though, you might have severe roof damage. Ideally, call professional roofing contractors to get your roof inspected at least yearly. They will let you know the exact condition of the roof and what needs to be done. You can even hire them to get your roof maintained after every seasonal change or after a storm has occurred. This regular maintenance will keep your roof well protected from leaks.
#2 Keep The Roof Surface Clean And Tidy:
You want to ensure that the roof surface does not have any debris such as tree branches, critter poop, stones, pebbles, wet leaves or any sort of dirt. If debris is not cleaned from time to time, it will clog the gutters and create problems leading to roof leaks. Use leaf blowers to blow off the debris and then a water hose to remove the dirt and other debris from the roof surface. When debris remains on the roof surface, it might get stuck to the surface and trap moisture… This moisture content can seep inside the underlying roofing system and cause structural damage.
#3 Ensure That The Roof Gutters Are Clean:
Similar to the roof, gutters also face a huge problem because of debris. Keep your gutters free from debris to prevent them from ice dams or water-clogging situations. Moreover, you need to ensure that new gutters being installed have a proper slope so that everything gets drained down and out to the downspout. If not, the clogged debris or ice dams will cause damage to the gutters and cause water leaks.
#4 Keep The Entire Roof Surface Sealed Perfectly:
Most often, it is the sealant of the roof that gets degraded or worn out due to extreme weathering and climatic changes. When the sealants are not strong enough, it can lead to water leaks through the roof edges, window sills, or around the chimney.
#5 Keep The Flashing Area Well-Protected:
The flashing is fixed around the chimney and all over the edges of the ventilation. It ensures that the roof is protected from any water leak situation. If the flashing is damaged, get it repaired before it leads to water leakage.
Summary:
This 2021 ultimate guide of roof protection from water leaks should help you understand the significance of the roof, how water damage can cause huge problems to the house, and how to keep the house (and its roof) protected from water leaks. Follow these aforementioned steps in order to keep your house, roof and family secure and safe.