Nearly every homeowner in Ottawa will agree that your home is one of the biggest financial investments you can make. You will spend most of your life in your home, and so your home and everything within it needs to be protected. That is why maintaining the roof on your home is so important. Even the tiniest of leaks can lead to major issues.
So, you should ask yourself whether you home is protected from a roof leak or not. Here are some things to consider:
Keep Your Gutters Clean
One of the most simple actions you can do to keep your roof protected from a leak is to clean out your gutters. Throughout the year, your roof is exposed to wind, rain, and flying debris. During the wintertime, ice and snow can clog the gutters, and anything that hadn’t been cleaned out before winter may congest the gutters or downspouts and prevent draining.
Every spring and fall, remove sticks and leaves and other things from the gutters. Make sure they are attached correctly to your house and that none of the parts are weakening. Anything that is missing or broken or cracked can be repaired or replaced, but make sure you do that before inclement weather arrives. Sagging is usually a hanger problem. This might be due to deteriorated fascia. You can seal holes with patches and some caulking.
Also, make sure that the gutters are pitched so that the water runs towards the downspout rather than sitting stagnant in the gutter. Standing water means that you will need to adjust the pitch.
Check The Spots Vulnerable To Leaks
Ottawa roofing contractors will tell you repeatedly that maintenance is the best defense you have against leaks. If you are not routinely checking your roof and keeping it free of debris, then you are weakening the main line of defense. That is why you should do some inspection and maintenance throughout the year. Get up on the roof and look for missing or high nails, buckling or brittle or curling shingles, and seek out places where leaks are most likely to occur.
Don’t have asphalt shingles on your roof? You should then tailor the inspection to the roofing material type. For instance, if you have wooden shakes, you should be looking for water damage and rot. Clay tiles might have fractured, so look for cracks.
For instance, you should check the flashing around the chimney, wall step flashings, furnace shingles, and skylights. If you have noticed that some spots on the roof feel weaker underfoot or if there are patches where shingles are missing their granules, you may have to some repairs. Go into your attic to check the insulation and search for mold while you are at it.
Any issue that you are uncomfortable with managing yourself should be left in the capable hands of an Ottawa roofer or roofing contractor. That way, you don’t have to worry about making a mistake. A trusted and professional contractor will be able to patch up any problems you find.
Keep Trees Trimmed
Another danger looms close but is not always visible. Some people prefer to have trees growing close to their household to help provide shade and cooler temperatures in the summer months. However, trees can be a double-edged sword. You see, any tall tree becomes a danger during more windy days, and if their branches snap, it can be disastrous for your home. Similarly, shed bark, leaves, and twigs can pile up on your rooftop or clog up the gutters.
Also, if you have trees that hang over the roof, you can giving free access to vermin that might find a way into your attic, such as squirrels and insects.
The good news is that you don’t have to leave your property barren of trees to protect your roof top from damages and pests. Trimming back the branches is often enough. In the event that your trees have grown out of control or are bowing over your roof or the branches are scraping, you should hire a tree trimming company to come in and assist. They will be able to give you advice about how much to cut off the tree to keep your roof safe.
Find Problems With Flashing and Fascia
Flashing is used to seal the entire roof system—walls, valleys, drainage, penetrations—and keep moisture out. Flashing is usually made from galvanized steel or aluminum. You can find it around dormers, skylights, chimneys, and more. However, because these pieces are made of metal, they are often susceptible to oxidation, denting, puncture, and tear-off. Sometimes, it just comes loose.
Fortunately, most flashing comes pre-cut and can be applied without much effort. All you need is some roof cement or caulk to get the job done.
Similarly, check the fascia—or the roof trim. Fascia acts like flashing but is meant to seal the edge of the roofing system from the elements, particularly water. It also protects the internal structure of your home. If you start seeing rot or other damages inside your home but cannot find a leak, call an Ottawa roofing contractor to inspect the fascia.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these tips will help you answer the question of whether your home is protected from roof leaks. Should you find problems with your roof after an inspection and don’t know how to complete the repairs or replacement, be sure to contact a reputable roofing contractor.
We have helping Ottawa homeowners with roofing issues for years. Let us help you too. Give us a call or fill out the contact form. We will be in touch.
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