Repair and Maintenance of Roofing

The roofing on top of a homeowner’s abode may not be noticed much until it stops providing its protection. While inside a home, the flooring, walls and interior decorating are appreciated every day as the inhabitants have constant contact with it. The plumbing fixtures and cabinetry may be beautiful and upscale as it provides its daily service to the home’s dwellers. But the roof is out there keeping all contents of the home safe and sound day in and day out. When it stops working, the inhabitants suddenly realize how much work it was actually doing unnoticed. If you want to show appreciation for this humble yet crucial building component, give it the respect it deserves with preventive maintenance and repair.

The old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure is absolutely true when it comes to roofing. Here are some ways to maintain it:

- Go up on top of your house every few months to take a look around. Bring a broom with you and sweep off any leaves, branches, dirt or debris that may have landed there. Take special note of any nooks and crannies around the chimney or air conditioning unit, as these are places where problems can start.

- Look at the flashings to make certain that they are in good repair. Flashings are metal strips that cover corners and joints in order to add another layer of protection and to prevent leaking.

- Check the rain gutters located at the perimeter of the upper surface. Clear out any clogs and make certain that they are working as a deterrent to puddles which may remain on the shingles after a storm.

- Notice all of the shingles or tiles to see if they are firmly attached. If any looseness is in evidence, grab some roof cement and reattach.

- Look at all of the caulking and sealants up there. If there is any sign of cracking, peeling and deterioration, it’s time for the homeowner to step in. Scraping up old existing material and reapplying fresh caulking and sealant should do the trick.

- Is there any evidence of mildew, moss or algae growing up there? This can be eradicated by purchasing zinc control strips and attaching them to the regions where the problems are developing.

- Are there any tree limbs and branches hovering a bit too closely to the roof? Time to get out the chainsaw and trim away. Fallen tree parts are damage waiting to happen in terms of a home’s roofing.

By being proactive, a homeowner can keep their roofing up to doing its job. The roof will be happy to keep the inclement weather out while keeping the household inhabitants dry and cozy within.