A roof needs to be adequately cared for to keep it in the best condition for as long as possible. It is something that homeowners often forget. However, this procedure will help save your family’s budget. If you think this is unnecessary, you are mistaken.
Maintaining your roof in good condition and regularly cleaning it of moss or dirt ensures a long service life. And if you don’t want to do it yourself, roof cleaning professionals will be happy to assist you. Below, we will outline the proper care for various types of roofing.
Periodic Inspection
Maintenance always begins with this procedure. It is advisable to inspect the roof periodically for its condition. It has several reasons:
- Preventing serious damage. Visual inspections will help detect and eliminate minor damage in a timely manner, which can, over time, lead to serious problems. Approximately 80% of leaks occur due to minor defects that were not identified and corrected on time.
- Extending the service life of the roof. Each type of roofing has its own service life. For example, asphalt tiles typically last 20-30 years, metal tiles last 40-70 years, and ceramic tiles can last up to 100 years. However, without proper care, the service life of any roof is significantly reduced.
- Saving on repairs. The timely elimination of minor damage will be significantly cheaper than major repairs or complete replacement. According to experts, the cost of regular maintenance is about 1-2% of the cost of significant repairs.
It is necessary to systematically check that its integrity is not damaged and that it does not leak. It is essential to inspect the roof in the fall and spring, when there is a lot of precipitation and the snow begins to melt. Thanks to this, you will be able to quickly detect problems with the roof and promptly eliminate damage to the waterproof coating.
The necessary procedures directly depend on the type of roof. It can be:
- steel with a protective polymer coating;
- soft;
- consisting of tiles.
Determine what type of roof you have and adequately care for it.
Steel Roof
Iron roofs have long been a popular choice in the Russian Federation. Manufacturers cover it with a high-quality protective coating that protects the roof from the effects of various adverse factors. However, corrosion processes cannot be avoided if precipitation, dry leaves, debris, and dirt are not promptly removed from it.
You should do regularly clean the roof of dirt. Regular cleaning is also necessary. Remove dust and debris using a lint brush. It should be soft so that the coating does not get scratched. It is better to wash the roof with plain water, as detergents containing chemicals can damage it.
It is better to clean snow from the roof with a scraper or shovel. You need to work carefully with these tools, because you can easily damage the top protective layer of the roof.
The roof needs to be painted once every 3 years. If scratches and dents appear on it before this period, then repairs and painting must be done immediately. It should be noted that all roofing work must be carried out with safety precautions in mind.
Soft Roof
The technology of installing a “soft roof” involves laying bitumen roofing materials. This type of roof also requires clearing away debris, leaves, snow, and removing excess moisture.
In addition, lichen or moss may appear on the northern part of the roof. They will harm the roof because they accumulate a lot of moisture. This vegetation must be removed from the covering. Inspect the roof condition at the end of the summer season and in the spring.
In winter, it is necessary to regularly clean the roof of snow with a shovel. It will protect it from leaks in the spring. Thanks to this, it will also be possible to prevent an avalanche of snow from accumulating on the roof.
Roof Tile
Roof tiles are a high-quality and reliable material. They are often laid in order to save time on roof maintenance. However, this does not mean that nothing needs to be done at all.
In winter, snow must also be cleared from it. Conventional tools (shovels and scrapers) are not suitable for this type of work, because they can damage this coating. It is necessary to sweep snow off the tiles with a soft broom.
Also, watch for ice formation on them. It is unlikely that you will be able to remove it yourself, so invite experienced craftsmen. Systematically check the tiles for cracks and chips at the joints. If there are any, eliminate them immediately. Otherwise, the roof will leak in these areas, and the damage to the material cannot be avoided.
Experts advise washing the roof thoroughly with water and painting it every 5 years. It is necessary to paint the roof at an air temperature of no more than 20°C. It is also worth noting that roof repairs and preventive work must be carried out in shoes with soft rubber soles.
Conclusion
The roof is not just the top of the house; it is its reliable protection from bad weather, moisture, and other external factors. However, the roof requires proper care. The order of actions and procedures largely depends on the type of coating.
However, they are all equally important to maintaining the integrity of your home. Do not neglect these simple rules, and your roof will serve you for many years, reliably protecting you from any whims of nature.