When it comes to protecting your home from the elements, your roof has a crucial role to play. It’s there to stop wind, rain, hail and sunshine from damaging your home, so it’s understandably important to keep it in good working order. A roof replacement can easily set you back thousands of dollars, so proper maintenance is key. To extend the life of your roof, regular preventive maintenance and inspections are a must. Here are a few of our best roof maintenance tips to help you ensure it lasts for many years to come.
- Clean your gutters
If you’re wondering how to maintain your roof, then one of the most important things you can do is keep your gutters clean. If your gutters are full of leaves and debris then you’ll quickly run into trouble because water isn’t going to have anywhere else to go but into your roof. Clogged gutters can lead to leaks and improper water flow around your home which can damage its foundations. Clogged gutters can also be a magnet for pests and insects which could cause an infestation inside your home.
If you’re guilty of neglecting your gutters, it’s time to change that. They’re not only a vital part of protecting your roof, but also other interior and exterior features of your home.
- Trim back trees
If you have any tall trees growing around your property, it’s a good idea to keep them trimmed back, especially if they overhang your roof. Not only can trees drop branches, which will damage your roof, but they can also drop leaves and other debris which can cause damage or attract pests. Keep at least a few feet of space between your trees and your roof, and ensure you trim back any overgrown branches every 3-6 months or so to avoid any potential damage. This will make the job of keeping your gutters clear and your roof clean much easier.
- Get your roof inspected annually
Regular inspections of your roof will help you to identify any issues that have arisen throughout the year. It’s a good idea for you to take a look at least once a year or so, or after particularly rainy or stormy weather. This will help you to get any potential problems under control before they cause more damage. The earlier you diagnose and solve an issue the better. Minor damage on a roof can quickly become a much more severe and costly issue if left untreated. You should also consider having a professional come to assess your roof every one to two years or so as part of your regular home maintenance and make sure you call in the experts if your roof sounds different and you suspect there may be an issue.
- Ensure your home is properly insulated
Proper insulation will both protect the lifespan of your roof and increase the comfort of your home. The surface of your roof can get very hot in the summer months, especially in harsh Australian conditions and so it’s important that your home is able to efficiently move hot and cold air efficiently throughout the home, otherwise it can lead to shingle cracking or lifting up. You should ensure that your insulation is professionally installed and that no vents are blocked in order to maximise the longevity of your roof.
- Clear debris off your roof
In the same way that you should keep your gutters clear from debris, you should also keep your roof clear from leaves and other debris. Debris piles are attractive breeding grounds for pests and also increase the likelihood that your roof may be punctured or damaged in some way. Damp debris can also cause shingles to curl or breakaway and may cause leaks into your ceiling. It’s especially important to inspect your roof for new debris after a storm, as windy and wild weather conditions can cause sticks, twigs or even stones to collide with your roof.
What if I’m installing a new roof?
If you’re installing new roof Trusses then one of the best things you can do to make it last longer is to have it fabricated from Bluescope TRUECORE® steel.
Why? Because Bluescope TRUECORE® steel is pre-fabricated to be straight, termite and borer proof, and fireproof – making it ideal for use in Australian homes.
If you’re looking to install a new roof or update an existing one, get in contact with us today. We’re one of Perth’s leading roofing suppliers and can supply you with a range of COLORBOND® roof sheets for both residential and commercial purposes. They are designed to be impervious to many of the common issues you’ll experience with older roofing products.
Plus, our in-house quality control systems and low overheads, means we can supply superior quality COLORBOND® roof panels and sheeting in a wide range of colours at competitive prices
