Protecting Your Home: Roof Maintenance

Performing home maintenance is an important part of being a homeowner, but some maintenance needs are more obvious than others. One part of a house where repair needs can easily go unnoticed is the roof, most of us do not go up on our roofs regularly after all. However, neglecting roof repairs can be a serious issue, especially in a city like Ottawa where weather can change rapidly and put serious strain on a roof’s integrity. A neglected roof can lead to issues as minor as increased heating bills to structural damage as water leaks through into the supporting structures below. Here are some helpful tips to keep your roof in good repair, and avoid any costly issues.

Perform regular checks

You should inspect your roof at least twice a year, and after major storms that you think may have potentially caused damage. Safety is a priority here, of course, and it is likely worth hiring a professional if you are not absolutely certain you can clamber around on your roof safely. While inspecting the roof, make sure to check for loose or damaged shingles, signs that the shingles or other items on the roof have been significantly worn, and areas where the caulking and weather-stripping has become worn or torn away. Once the inspection has been performed and you know where your roof stands, you can decide how to proceed.

Handle repairs immediately

Your roof is one of the key defences your home has against the weather, so any problems that are found during your inspection should be addressed immediately. The fix may be as simple as replacing a few damaged shingles, to as complex as repairing a section of roof or replacing the shingling entirely. In any case, it is important to perform the necessary work as quickly as possible to avoid any greater damage from accumulating. Even with the urgent nature of these repairs, it is worth getting multiple estimates and carefully considering your options, since it may be more cost-effective to completely replace a roof that is nearing the end of its life than fix a section that will need to be replaced soon anyway.

Replace your shingles when necessary

Replacing the shingling on your house is an expensive prospect that no one wants to do, but it is vital to do it when your roof’s lifespan is up. Shingling takes a large amount of wear and tear, and each different type has a different amount of time before it should be replaced. There are many different options, from wood to asphalt to concrete. Each type of shingle has advantages, but in Ottawa the best choices are likely to be asphalt or composite shingles, rubber shingles, or metal. Asphalt is the cheapest of the three, but is also the least durable and has the shortest lifespan. Rubber shingles are fairly new, so it is important to find a company with a great deal of experience and a reputable name, but they are fairly inexpensive, very durable and have a long lifespan. Metal also has a very long lifespan and is very resistant to damage, but is one of the more expensive options. It is important to examine your own situation and decide what is the best choice for your home.

Roof maintenance is something that most people don’t think about until disaster makes it necessary, but hopefully these tips will make it a less worrisome and simpler prospect.