As we move into winter, there are a few things that you may want to do to protect your home. One point that should be on every fall/winter home maintenance list is to inspect your roof and do some steps to protect the roof from damage.
When it comes to keeping the elements out of your home, there are few things that are as important as your roof. However, many homeowners put very little thought to the roof until there is a problem. By taking some preventative steps and keeping an eye on things, you can extend the life of your roof, prevent water damage to the home and reduce the costs of future repairs.
Clean Roof and Gutters
When it is getting into the fall and winter, you need to have your gutters and roof cleaned. This is a job that you could possibly perform yourself or you could hire professionals. If your gutters are full of leaves and other debris, they can clog and this will expose the roof and the rest of the home to an increased risk of damage. Additionally, you may have leaves and other things built up on the surface of the roof. This build can hold moisture and it increases the chances of deterioration.
Check the Roof for Damage
It is also a good idea to inspect the roof and the gutters for damage. While you are up cleaning the roof and gutters, you want to make sure that the gutters are in good shape and see if there are any signs of deterioration and damage to the roof. Look for things like missing shingles, shingles that are cracked and curling and check the seals around things like a chimney, pipes or any other opening that may be coming through the roof. You can do some of this while you are up cleaning the roof or you can inspect it from the ground using a pair of binoculars.
Look for Signs of Leaks
You should try to be aware of any sign of leaking all through the year, but it can help to take the time to thoroughly inspect for signs of leaking once a year. Go through the house and look for any signs of water like damp places on the ceiling. You should also go into the attic to see if there are any signs that water is coming in.
Check Your Attic Vents
This is also a good opportunity to make sure that the attic vents are clear. These vents help to regulate the temperature in the attic and they can prevent damage to the roof. When the temperature varies too much between the inside of the attic and the roof, it can cause water to condensate on the interior of the roof, and the temperature variation can also cause material to expand and contract in ways that may result in gaps that can let water in.
Professional Inspections
If you want to keep your roof in good condition and catch any small problems before they turn into big problems, you are going to want to perform a basic inspection on your roof at least once a year. In addition to that, you are also going to want to hire a professional to inspect your roof every few years. The exact amount of time that you should wait between professional inspections can vary depending on the conditions to which the roof is exposed and the materials from which it is made. Depending on these different factors, your roof should get a professional inspection every 3-5 years.
For San Francisco homes that need roof inspection or repairs, Montclair Construction is the team to call. We build and repair roofs of all types and we know how to identify the early signs of trouble. By getting us out there before a major problem comes up, you can protect your home from significant damage and possibly reduce the chances that your roof will need significant repair work or an entire roof replacement. Contact our offices for a consultation on your next roof repair project.