Perhaps not always on the forefront of our minds, looking after your roof is something most only really consider in times of bad weather or when signs of damp start to appear through the living room ceiling. However, your roof has a pretty big role to fill and from blazing sunshine one minute to terrifying thunderstorms the next, it isn’t exactly having the easiest time up there.
To take some of the pressure off your DIY attempts, consider some of our dos and don’ts of looking after your roof.
DO this
- Get an annual roof inspection, enabling professionals to spot any areas of potential damage, preventing having to shell out for a new roof in the long run.
- Check your roof after poor weather, make sure your gutters aren’t over flowing and look for any possible broken tiles. To understand the importance of keeping your gutters clear,
click here. - Make sure your gutters are fastened correctly and tightly in order to prevent leaks
- Keep your roof clear of algae, moss and loose branches that could wreak havoc on your roof. Cutting down or tie back any overhanging branches is your best bet.
- It’s what’s on the inside that counts! Check the corners of your rooms for damp spots and shine a torch into your attic after periods of wet weather, looking for darker, discoloured patches that might indicate something is leaking.
- Call the professionals. The ultimate goal for many men is to be the king of DIY, however, good as YouTube videos are, there are many jobs out there that perhaps need a little more expertise than first thought. Don’t leave cracks in your work (literally) by neglecting to call out the professionals, we can give you some tips and tricks for the stuff you can do on your own, whilst simultaneously ensuring your roof is in excellent condition to last.
DON’T, ever, do this
- Wait. Putting off a small job, such as a leak or damp, with the idea of fixing it when you have a whole bunch of problems to sort. If you can see there’s an issue, trust us it is so much easier to fix if you catch it earlier.
- Clamber onto a wet roof if you are at all unsure. We know, we know, we just said its
important to check out your roof, however climbing onto a soggy roof could cause a whole host of problems, not least the issue of perhaps a few injuries. - Test weak spots by stepping on them. If you do decide you’re confident enough to get up there, do not step directly onto your tiles as they may crack or break under your weight (sorry), adding additional damage to the list
- Neglect top quality. Whilst you may be looking to finish your home for less money, it is important to make sure you take everything into account when choosing the materials for your roof, not just the price. This could save you time and money in the long run, check out our guide on the best materials to choose from here.
Tackling roofing issues by yourself isn’t a massive issue if you know what you’re doing; however, do not be afraid to ask for help, consider these dos and don’ts of looking after your roof before you go any further. Allowing the professionals to do their job saves so many dodgy DIY mistakes, so as ever; if you are at all unsure, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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