If you did not build your house, then there is no way to guarantee the quality of the roof installation that was done. Quality roofing is important to the protection and integrity of a building and poor installation or maintenance can result in expensive damages. When it comes to getting the most from your roof, there are a few tips to remember when it comes to maintenance. By identifying problems while they are still small, you can avoid disastrous results.
How to Extend the Life of Your Roof?
- Understand typical damage: It is a good idea to know what you should expect when you are looking at your roof. Damage occurs in all types of conditions so you need to know what you are looking for during the year. There are three main causes for any damage that you will come across during an inspection.
- Installation errors: contractors that carelessly damaged roofing during installation are not uncommon. Dynamic damage occurs when a roofer actively damages the roof such as dropping a tool that causes a puncture and static damage is caused by excessive pressure that causes damage below the roofing. If this is not mentioned by a contractor it can be tricky to identify the precise cause. One way to avoid this is to have all workers sign in and out when accessing the roof for work.
- Seasonal factors: Storms and freeze-thaw cycles can damage roofing directly or as a result of expansion and contraction cycles. Over time, without proper inspections and maintenance, weather can damage the interior and exterior of your roofing system.
- Wear and tear: Roofing is not designed to last forever. Even though there are some durable roofing materials available today, eventually very roof succumbs to wear and tear.
- Inspections: You need to be inspecting your roof at least once or twice a year. It is best to have a qualified roofing contractor assess the condition of your roof so as to properly identify weak spots and potential damage. The earlier these problems are identified and fixed, the less dangerous and expensive the damage will be. It is a good idea to keep track of the roofing material warranty and make sure inspections are done within this time so that all damages are covered appropriately.
- Know your materials: You should always be prepared for emergency situations in life. Roofing emergencies can happen to and you don’t want to find yourself without spare materials the day water comes gushing through your roof. Make sure you know the materials used in your roof and how to repair them.
Roofing Materials
Depending on the material, you should have the appropriate repair products on hand to use such as:
- Plastic roofing cement: this should be for wet applications as it is most often required during wet weather. The chemicals in the cement allow the plastic roofing to adhere to a surface creating a quick seal to a damaged area.
- Self-adhering roofing tape: There are a number of tapes to choose from so do some research and get what fits best. Make sure you get one that has a decent shelf life because you will likely not use the whole roll at once.
- Duct tape: This can be helpful in a pinch so long as it is high-quality. Before application, make sure the surface is dry and remember that this fix is only temporary and the damage will need to be looked over by a professional first chance you get.
- Polyurethane caulk: This can only be sued when water leaks at penetration in the roof and is applied as a seal around the jack and the pipe.
- Avoid common mistakes: Knowing what materials are safe for your roofing system is the best way to avoid mistakes and damage. One of the most common errors made is with seals. Many people overheat the seas or patch which creates a bigger problem as too much heat disrupts the integrity of the roofing membrane.
Conclusion
By regularly inspecting, maintaining, and knowing your roofing system you can avoid serious damage. While roofing materials will naturally wear with time, you can get the most from your roof be understanding what it is made from and what it needs. Maintenance and small repairs will be less costly than when damage strikes from a neglected roofing system.