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The roof is an essential part of the house structure – but it does take a lot of beating. Heavy rain, extreme heat, and tree debris can damage the roof, and over time this can cause mold, leaks, and structural problems.

Thankfully you can avoid this (as well as a hefty bill!) by taking steps to maintain your roof. Here are five things you can do to keep your roof in tip-top condition.

Look At The Roof (From The Inside And The Outside)

Twice a year, you should look at the roof from both the inside and the outside. Go into the attic with a torch and inspect the walls, ceiling, and floors for damage or damp, and if you find any damage, make sure to repair it as soon as possible.

For the outside of the roof, you will need to use binoculars or a ladder. Inspect all of the shingles closely, and if you see any damage, call a professional to come over and assess it. This will reduce the chance of leaks or structural damage in the future.

Remove Debris

It is also important to remove debris from the roof every few months or so. It can be tempting to assume the wind will blow the leaves away, but normally they gather in the drain and become heavy and moldy. This can eat away at the shingles, and it can also cause blockages, so it is well worth removing the leaves when they start to build up.

Speak To An Expert

If you have assessed the roof and there is a quite a bit of damage, consider seek out roofing companies Kitchener based, such as The Roofman. It is possible to do minor repairs yourself, but if there is a large hole or lots of shingles, you shouldn’t risk your health. Every year there are around 300 deaths and over 164,000 injuries caused by falls from ladders, so it isn’t worth risking your safety; hire someone who knows how to the job properly!

Trim Nearby Trees

Do you notice that debris builds up on your roof quickly? If so, it could be because due to nearby trees in your garden. If this is the case, you may want to trim the trees so that they don’t hang over the gutter, as this means you won’t have to constantly clean the gutters. It also means the gutter is less likely to be damaged by swinging branches when it is windy.

It is also worth noting that some trees shed more than others, so if you are thinking about planting new trees in your garden, you might want to go for a tree that doesn’t shed all year round.

Avoid Power Washing The Roof

If you own a power washer, you may be tempted to use it to clean the roof, but this should definitely be avoided. Most power washers have a water jet that is pressurized at around 200 times the pressure of air, which is very strong. Within a few seconds, it can easily remove shingles or tiles, and the water can also get underneath shingles that are still attached, causing mildew, for example.

Photo by Sindre Strøm from Pexels