Maintaining a Homes Roofing

Roofing is an essential housing need which is often taken for granted mainly due to the fact that it is not often seen. Owners of the house or the people who live there only take notice of the roof when something manifests in the ceiling or can be seen from the outside. Rain damage is the usually culprit when it comes to damage on the roof. There are ways to maintain certain roof types and to make them last a long as possible.

Metal Roofs

This is one of the most common roofing materials used in the United States of America these days. Galvanized steel or coated metal are the usual metal roof types. Fixed through corrugated sheets and clip on are the two kinds which are commonly used. One thing that helps with the maintenance is knowing the extent of the manufacturer's warranty. It is important to affix the sheeting as per the instructions of the manufacturer to avoid making the warranty null and void. The wrong way of putting up the sheets can also contribute to its early damage. The safer way to go about this is to ask qualified professionals to put up the roof.

Different kinds of metals may also react strongly to one another. Additional flashings, cladding or gutters can add to the complicated deterioration of the roofing. Debris is also another factor that can lead to rust and accumulation of water on top. It is important to clean the gutters regularly to prevent this.

Leaves and other debris can also cause water to be stuck in the gutters when it rains which can lead to heaviness. The gutters may give way due to the weight of the rain water and the debris in it. Dents from heavy branches falling on the roof can also be the starting point of rust. Regular check ups of potentially big dents should be done along with the cleaning of the gutters.

Tiles

Concrete, timber and asphalt tiles are also common materials used for roofing. Concrete, clay or terracotta tiles make really beautiful roof materials. Maintenance for these are often keeping track of broken or damaged tiles and replacing them. Since these tiles do remarkably well in temperature maintenance, many like them. The growth of moss and other plant of fungi can also contribute to damage of the tiles.

Timber shingles is most often threatened by the growth of plants or moss. Since they are organic and often retain moisture, plants often grow well on them. Warping or splitting can also occur in timber and these are considered damage shingles and should be replaced as soon as possible. Asphalt shingles have the same problems with other tiles; chipping, breaking and warping can occur to them.

Of all the different roofing materials available, metal is more commonly used, maybe due mainly to the lesser cost it offers. These are also easy to replace and takes little time to do so. Tile son the other hand, may be more expensive but they do last longer and have certain advantages such as temperature control and being aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.