Blog Post

Essential Roof Maintenance Tips for British Households

  • By W.R Leivers
  • 03 Apr, 2019
Roofer at work

When it comes to the areas of your home that require regular maintenance, your roof should be one of the most important ones to focus on. It serves a protective shield for the rest of your home and is hard at work every single day sheltering your household from the outdoors and keeping your property well insulated. Without proper maintenance, your roof is vulnerable to damage and deterioration due to daily exposure to the elements. 

Unfortunately, the roof is also an area which is often neglected by many British homeowners. This results in the need for frequent roof repairs and also repairs for other parts of your home that may have been damaged by a leaking roof. This can be a costly and inconvenient process, so you should do everything possible to avoid the need for it. 

Put in a bit of time and effort to learn how to maintain your roof and you won’t need to be in constant touch with your local roofing companies. Not sure where to start and what you need to do to avoid the need for constant roof fixes? Read on for some essential roof maintenance tips to keep your roof in top condition no matter what the weather:

Inspect your roof on a regular basis 

One of the most common mistakes made by homeowners is a simple lack of checking their roof on a regular basis. At Leivers Roofing, we’d suggest conducting a thorough inspection of your roof a minimum of three times a year. You should also schedule this inspection in around the right seasons. 

The harsh British winter can have an impact on your roof, so make sure that you inspect for any signs of damage in the early spring season. Our summers are also getting a lot more intense, so check for any signs of damage from harmful UV rays in early autumn. Remember, weather conditions can be one of the primary reasons your roof deteriorates. 

Even if there hasn’t been a storm or anything too radical, your roof could still suffer due to daily exposure to the elements. 

Here’s what to look for during your roof inspection: 

●    Any clogged gutters

●    Missing roof shingles

●    Damaged drain components

●    Signs of deterioration 

It is worth finding good local roofing companies to conduct this inspection for you, at least the first few times you do it. They will know exactly what to look for and what could lead to a leaking roof. They’ll also be able to conduct the inspection safely as they’ll be used to navigating and making their way around many different types of roofs. Remember, while there will be an initial investment involved in hiring them to check your roof, you could potentially save a lot of money as roof leak repair can be a lot more expensive. 

We would also recommend getting a professional roof assessment done for any house that you’re considering moving into before you move. Roofing professionals will recognise any potential issues and supply a quote for any roof repair needed.

Get in touch with local roofing companies if you spot any need for roof repair 

One of the worst things you can do is neglect any signs of damage. If you think there may be a need for repair, get in touch with a local roofing specialist immediately. Acting quickly will save you money as you’ll deal with the issue before it escalates into something a lot more costly and damaging to the rest of your home.

Get any overhanging trees trimmed 

While having your property surrounded by trees creates a lovely ambience and provides lots of shade, it can also have a damaging effect on your roof. Overhanging trees in the roof area can result in lots of fallen branches and leaves on your roof. Not only can the branches scrape and damage your roof materials, but the debris can also end up clogging up your roof gutters. 

Windy weather conditions will make this much more likely to happen, so always check your roof after a stormy situation. Avoid the issue completely by getting any overhanging trees trimmed regularly by a professional arborist.

Roof gutters should be cleaned up on a regular basis to prevent a leaking roof 

A clogged up gutter is often the reason for leaky roofs, thanks to the rainy British weather. Make sure that any leaves or other debris is cleaned out from your roof gutters on a regular basis, otherwise rainwater won’t be able out fast enough. This water can seep through into your attic and eventually make its way to the rest of your property. 

Roofing companies often offer roof gutter cleaning services, and we’d suggest getting these done at least twice a year. Keep an eye on your rain gutters after any particularly rainy bouts of weather.

Any damaged roofing materials should be replaced immediately 

To avoid the need for roof leak repair, you should take quick action when it comes to any type of roof damage. For example, if you spot any damaged roof shingles or a bit of worn out roof cladding, get these professionally replaced immediately. 

Leaving them on your roof for too long could lead to the need for more expensive and time consuming roof repairs. Replacing any damaged materials means you’re also less likely to ever need total roof replacement. You’re also less likely to experience a leaking roof, no matter how rainy it gets in your parts.

Find a good roofing company to service your roof on an annual basis 

The best preventative step you can take to avoid any roof related issues is to hire a specialist for annual roof servicing. This will involve a team of roofing contractors conducting an inspection of your roof and dealing with any issues, big or small. There may not be any issues but you’ll have the peace of mind that your roof has held up against whatever the weather has thrown its way. This early detection could also end up saving you a lot of money and the need for roof fixes in the future. 

Having the contact of a good team of roofing specialists will also serve you well if you do every require any roof repairs in the future. Don’t attempt any major repair yourself. This could be dangerous without the right skills and experience, and you may inadvertently end up making the problem a lot worse.  

The often rainy and windy British weather makes it important for you to keep a close eye on your roof to monitor what impact it could be having. Due to the ever changing weather conditions, roof maintenance is essential for all households – no matter how high-quality the materials used may be. 

Remember, a leaking roof and expensive repairs are a result of neglecting your roof. Deal with each issue as it happens and you won’t need to worry about this. Your roof is strong and sturdy and built to withstand a host of weather conditions!  

In need of professional roof maintenance and repairs in Nottingham and Derby? 

At Leivers Roofing, we have years of experience working with all types of roofing materials. If you’re not sure what’s causing your leaking roof, we’d be happy to provide a roof inspection to recommend the best course of action. For more information on our services, get in touch with us today.

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