Day: July 14, 2022

As the high winds, rain, and snow of the Scottish winter finally make way for some warmer weather, it is time to investigate how your roof has coped with these extreme conditions and conduct essential maintenance.

A damaged roof is a major flaw in your home’s protection against the elements and what appears just a minor issue at the moment could escalate into a major problem in the long-term leading to expensive repair bills and doing extensive damage to your property.

By following these 7 key maintenance tips this summer you can help keep your roof in top condition, keeping your home and family safe in the years to come.

1. Check for moss and mould

As we all know too well, summer is not always a guarantee of good weather, and a combination of humidity and rain can prove the perfect breeding ground for moss and mould growth.

Over time, moss and algae build up can cause your roof shingles to deteriorate and significantly speed up roof decay.

Heavy moss collection, particularly ion gutters and around flashing, can also lead to water build up that can lead to cracking and leakages.

Once moss or mould is in place, it won’t take long for issues to begin to occur, so the moment you notice signs of either make sure to have your roof professionally cleaned.

2. Check your loft

To make sure the exterior of your roof is in top condition you should hire a professional to conduct a thorough examination.

However, what you can do yourself to check for some of the more obvious signs of damage is to have a look around in your loft.

Any damp patches, browning, or mould on the inside of your roof is a clear indication that it has been compromised and that repairs need to be done.

3. Replace tiles and shingles

Replacing a single broken tile on your roof may not seem like much of a big deal but installing new shingles or Slate Roofs Glasgow over aging ones can actually do more harm than good.

Not to mention the fact that walking over thus undamaged shingles could cause further damage to be done.

Patchwork repairs conducted in the wrong manner can seriously damage the overall health and safety of your roof, so it is essential that you have all tile and shingle repairs conducted by a respected professional roofing company.

4. Trim Trees

Tree branches that hang over your roof can cause all sorts of damage to occur.

In a storm, branches of even the strongest tree can break and fall off, damaging tiles and leading to expensive repairs being required.

Even if this doesn’t happen, low hanging branches can scrape along the surface of your roof, tearing asphalt and removing shingles.

To prevent this from happening, you should take extra care to trim branches from trees close to your home, as well as removing fallen leaves and twigs from your guttering.

5. Remove Debris

Over the autumn, winter, and spring it is inevitable that a certain amount of debris will have accumulated on the surface of your roof and needs to be removed.

If you are intent on cleaning your own roof, make sure that you wear slip resistant shoes and use a leaf blower for those hard to reach sections.

It is recommended, however, that you hire a professional to conduct this service as they will know exactly how to remove debris in the most effective and safe manner.

NEVER pressure wash your roof as this risks dislodging shingles and exposing your roof to further damage.

6. Clean gutters

Cleaning your gutters might not be your idea of a dream summer afternoon activity, but it is an essential task that you might as well get done whilst it isn’t freezing cold and hammering it down with rain.

If your gutters get clogged up by leaves, twigs, and other debris, water will begin to accumulate on the roof, sitting underneath your shingles and creating the perfect breeding ground for mould and decay.

If you notice that your gutters have begun to sag, this is a clear sign that they have not been cleaned out in some time and that a significant amount of debris has accumulated.

Seeing evidence of insect or rodent activity on or near to your roof is another indication of clogging as squirrels, mice, and other small animals often use blocked drains to build their nests.

7. Call the professionals

The consequences of failing to take roof maintenance seriously can be significant, and attempting maintenance without the proper knowledge and equipment is a dangerous and unwise plan.

For this reason, it is recommended that you have your roof inspections, cleaning, and repairs conducted by a professional roofing company this summer, making sure that your property is fully protected for many years to come.