Roof Leak: A Powerful Reason To Schedule Roof Maintenance
Australian weather is unpredictable. Today is a clear sky, and you wake up to a downpour the next morning. Sometimes, it might rain so suddenly and powerfully that you fear your house will fall off.
Even if your house does not tumble down in the rain, your roof is prone to damage, leading to leaks. A leaky roof is a major issue causing havoc everywhere it happens. It will not only further damage your roof but also create a mess in your house by creating puddles.
Sometimes, the leaks are not even noticeable and are tucked away in the attic. Such leaks are even more dangerous. They will silently damage your roof to the point that you will need roof replacement Melbourne.
7 risks of a leaky roof
1. Mould and mildew
When the roof develops leaks, it builds up moisture content too. A damp roof is a perfect habitat for mould and mildew, and everyone knows about the health hazards they cause.
Furthermore, mould and mildew can pollute the air if your facility has HVAC systems. This results in skin issues, asthma, feeble immunity, and allergies in people. Also, the problem might get worse and call for roof replacement Melbourne.
2. Damaged ceilings and attics
As soon as your roof leaks, water finds its way into the ceiling and then into your attic. This results in damaged goods in the attic and staining and darkening of the ceiling.
3. Fire hazards
If your ceiling and attic have electrical wires, a leaking roof can short out wires and pose a serious fire hazard. Also, roof leaks impact your solar roof vents. So, ensure to turn off the power if you have a leaky roof and call roofing contractors.
Moreover, open wires also put forward the risk of electric shocks. So, even if your electrical system is not damaged, it is best to be safe and get your roof repaired.
4. Rotting frames
Intruding water will eventually find its way to your home’s framing. This will cause the wood to rot and compromise the frame’s integrity.
Moreover, the wood used in a house’s interior is not thoroughly treated as outdoor wood. Hence, such wood is more prone to damage from leaking roofs. So, look for signs like ceiling spots or drips, which indicates that water has already entered your home’s framing.
A roof leak does not stop at frame rotting. It causes other structural problems like the following and necessitates roof replacement Melbourne:
- Damages roof decking
- Rot in ceiling joists
- Decaying support beams and posts
- Roof collapse
5. Sagging drywall
Even if drywall is strong and durable, water exposure weakens it. It can prompt the drywall inside the facility to sag and go to rack and ruin.
This can regulate mould growth and negatively affect structural integrity.
6. Slip hazards
Water that has penetrated ceilings and the attic will now stream down on the floor. This happens because you disregarded the initial indications and let the roof stay just like that.
A leaky roof had caused multiple threats like wall and ceiling damage, fire hazard, mould, and now a slippery floor too.
7. Jeopardised structure
No matter how strong your home or solar roof vent is, they are prone to water damage that entails rotting. A tiny hole in your roof allows a small amount of water inside; this small damage can transform into major structural damage.
All the leaking water can go down to the foundation levels and start an unstoppable rot. The target area of roof leaks includes the following:
- Plaster and paint on walls
- Insulation · Fascia boards
- Wall framing
- Furniture
- Rafters and ceiling joists
- Ceiling fans and lights
So, how can we prevent roof leaks and the damage that comes along? What can we do to maintain the structural integrity of our roofs? We must not be like most homeowners, who install and forget their roofs. They fail to understand that roof maintenance is significant to avoid colossal repair costs.
Why is regular roof maintenance essential?
1. Prevent leaks
An adequately maintained roof will help you cut back on repairing prices and enhance your well-being. The most common places of roof leaks are broken masonry, cracks in chimneys, sealant joints, deteriorated mortar, and skylights.
However, you cannot notice every leak but can address them early through roof maintenance.
2. Improve the roof’s lifespan
Even if roofs are meant to last longer, they are not invincible. However, you can prolong their lives with regular roof maintenance. Turn a blind eye to minor issues, and you will need roof replacement Melbourne.
So, you should call roofing contractors twice yearly for inspection and maintenance.
3. Save money
You might wonder how roof maintenance saves money if you already pay for maintenance yearly. However, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
This is because the price of maintenance and repairs is less when done early but increases with the intensity of the problem. So, you save money by avoiding major repairs and early roof replacement Melbourne.
4. Maintain property value
Of course, you want to keep your building’s roof in good shape if you want to improve your property’s curb appeal and value.
Working with a qualified roofing contractor can help maintain the outside of your building looking excellent for many years.
5. Fend off health problems
Roof leaks can offer ideal circumstances for mildew and mould growth. It can develop and spread swiftly and unnoticedly, creating health concerns.
Mould spores can spread throughout your home and become airborne. Mould pollution can endanger the entire family’s health. However, inspection and maintenance after the rainy season ensure that your roof is fresh, strong, and mould-free.
6. Gain peace of mind
Nothing beats being at peace, which is what accurate and proper roof inspection and maintenance can do for you.
Regular roof maintenance allows you to rest assured and believe your roof is in good condition. Also, it ensures that your roof has no leaks or mould build-up. Moreover, if there are any minor problems, they are rectified immediately, saving you from roof replacement Melbourne.
7. Avoid critters
Critters are attracted to degenerating roof areas and tend to increase the damage. You can avoid critters in the following ways:
- Keep trash containers sealed
- If possible, keep trash cans away from your home
- Use bright lights to frighten away critters
- Correctly insulate your home to keep critters away
- Regularly undergo roof maintenance to keep your roof intact and keep critters away
- Cracked shingles, damaged flashing, dirty chimneys, etc., entice critters. So, fix these issues
What do regular roof maintenance tasks include?
A professional roofer completes the following tasks annually to keep your roof healthy. However, maintenance tasks largely depend on the condition of your roof.
- Inspect the roof for peelings, stains, or missing shingles
- Examine pipe boots for damage or cracks
- Investigate evidence of animals or pests
- Take off debris from the roof and gutters
- Ensure that roof ventilation is working accurately
- Examine caulking and flashing for leaks
- Check and clean the chimney
The bottom line!
What divides a leaking, expensive, eyesore roof from an attractive, protective barrier? Regular roof maintenance.
Even if it is next to impossible to notice every leak, addressing them is extremely crucial. This can only be done by professional roof maintenance. Moreover, if roofers find that your roof is long past its productive life, they will suggest roof replacement Melbourne.
10 Proven Tips To Extend Your Roof’s Life
The roof is possibly the most crucial component of your home. This component of your house protects you and your things directly from the environmental elements. As a result, it is fairly surprising that many individuals take the condition of their roofs for granted.
Many homeowners only give heed to their roofs when they discover a big problem, such as a leak or storm damage.
Generally, a roof lives upto 15 to 20 years. However, it largely depends on the type of roofing material, roof care, and maintenance schedules.
Do you want your roof to last longer?
Follow this guide straight from renowned roofing contractors Melbourne and increase your roof’s longevity.
What are the causes of roof damage?
The roof is built to withstand impacts over the duration of its life. It does, however, require regular care to control or prevent damage from:
- The environmental elements. For example, hail, wind, snow, sunlight, rain, etc.
- Poor installation methods
- Alteration in building usage
- Plant waste or blue-algae growth as examples of biological growth
- Repairs and upkeep that are inconsistent
How to extend the roof’s life?
1. Schedule regular cleaning
Australia is known for its hot weather. So, your roof is exposed to warm, humid air, which promotes the growth of moss and algae.
They degrade your roof over time by taking granules from the tiles and creating spaces where rainwater gathers.
So, schedule roof cleaning to keep moss and algae from reducing the longevity of your roof. Soft power washing removes plants and dirt from the surface of your roof, leaving you with a clean surface and better curb appeal.
2. Annual roof inspections
Some problems may be invisible from the ground. Therefore, an annual examination with someone on your roof is essential. If you are uncomfortable climbing onto the roof, hire roofing contractors Melbourne to inspect it.
However, make sure you hire someone who can handle repairs rather than trying to sell you a full new roof! These little fixes might save you money in the long run.
3. Eliminate standing water
Using a brush or a squeegee, remove puddled water from the roof. This is especially crucial if your roof is flat and receives little direct sunlight throughout the day.
Once the ponding water has been removed from the roof, try to discover what caused it. For example, tree limbs shade the roof all day or the roof pitch is incorrect or sagging.
Have a roofing professional come if required, as resolving the problem early might save money in the long run.
4. Reduce foot traffic on the roof
Foot traffic might cause your roof to wear out faster. It is expected that maintenance people and other professionals would need to go onto your roof from time to time if you have a solar roof vent on your roof.
Allow just selected persons to visit your roof on specific occasions to avoid high foot traffic. Also, before allowing someone to climb your roof to do maintenance or repairs, make sure to question any pointed or sharp items that might rupture your roofing membrane.
5. Ventilation and insulation are important
As you can see, water is the most serious threat to the lifespan of your roof. Heat, on the other hand, can also be an issue.
Hot air tends to accumulate in the attic if your house does not have enough ventilation. Moreover, it cannot go anywhere else.
Is this sufficient to set fire to your house? Certainly not.
However, it is similar to frying your roof on low heat all day…for years. Moreover, both wood and asphalt shingles degrade over time, and heat hastens this process.
6. Small damages can intensify
As homeowners, we generally resist stepping up on our rooftops for a thorough examination. However, if done carefully, you may be able to spot minor flaws before they become major difficulties.
Look for broken shingles, missing or cracked roof tiles, warped or splitting lead flashing, crumbling masonry, or even minor areas of decay and weakness. If they are ignored, it might become a significant costly problem.
If you cannot perform spot repairs or reseal on your own, contact roofing contractors Melbourne to avoid long-term problems.
7. Trim nearby bushes and trees
Trees provide life and beauty to your property, but if you do not keep a watch on them, they can cause damage to your roofing system.
Tree branches may scrape across rooftops, dislodging the protecting granules on the shingles. Branches and limbs may be knocked off and land on your roof during a storm. This inflicts physical damage and enables easy access for tiny animals to penetrate your home.
If trees are near your roof, ensure they are pruned and maintained regularly to decrease the possibility of them harming your roofing system.
Additionally, shrubs and other ground landscaping should also allow adequate space for your gutters to drain water away from your property, preventing foundation damage.
8. Clean your gutters
Rain, snow, and debris accumulate in your gutters over time. The extra weight puts strain on your roof, which can undermine the structural integrity of your home and cause early breaking.
Overflowing gutters can even damage the roof to the point of collapse in extreme circumstances. Older gutters may also be a breeding ground for mold, which can subsequently spread to the rest of your roof.
So, get your gutters cleaned and install gutter protectors. They serve as the first line of defense by keeping leaves out of your gutters.
You may also hire roofing contractors Melbourne to maintain your gutters.
9. Check your attic for leaks
Although you cannot continually inspect the surface of your roof for holes or broken shingles, you may check your attic for indicators of a roof leak, such as:
- Water stains on the ceiling or walls
- Mildew odor
- Water drippings or pools
As roof leaks are among the most common problems, it is critical to keep ahead by regularly examining your attic for symptoms of a leak. This can help you prolong the lifespan of your roof and arrange maintenance in a timely way.
10. Have your roof inspected following a severe weather event
Do you assess your home for indications of residential roofing deterioration after a hail storm or other severe weather event?
Storms have the potential to damage your shingles and metal ventilation systems. Storm damage is frequently related to leaks. If you require an urgent roof repair, do not delay to contact a skilled roofer.
Moreover, it is beneficial to have your own storm preparation strategy in place.
Begin by scanning the outside of your house from the ground up. Look for fallen shingles, hail damage, and leaks in your home. Document whatever you find for insurance purposes.
The bottom line!
Everything tends to survive longer if properly cared for. So, roof maintenance is essential for extending the life of your roof.
While there is no need to stress over the condition of your roof, it is always beneficial to be aware of the situation.
Because small roof concerns, if ignored, may lead to a bothersome, time-consuming, and costly problem. Hence, regular roof inspections from roofing contractors Melbourne will save you a lot of money in the long term.