You may be wondering about the maintenance of your roof and how to best take care of it in order to guarantee longevity. In some cases you might have to call in the experts, especially if you are looking to get a roof restoration done or other major work carried out. Here at Above and Beyond Roof, we pride ourselves on being specialists in our field, so if you’re looking for a great reroofing company Melbourne wide and beyond, you’ve come to the right place. But depending on what sort of state your roof is in; it might be possible to “do it yourself” with regards to looking after and maintaining your roof.

Whilst we do recommend having your roof professionally inspected on a regular basis, you can care for your roof with a routine DIY approach. Here are some tips on how to do just that, along with some common roof issues and how to fix them safely.

Safety

It can be tempting to immediately run to fix a leak when you find one. But be careful not to rush resolving the issue, especially if the weather conditions aren’t great. Being on a roof when there’s rain, snow or ice is highly dangerous, and you run the risk of injuring yourself. Also if you’re rushing, chances are you will only temporarily be fixing the leak as there is often no quick fix in these sorts of situations. So just remember, safety first. Ensure you take appropriate precautions. Wearing suitable footwear is a must – go for shoes with a rubber sole that has grip in order to prevent slipping. Use a harness and make sure you work with a friend.

Gutters

One of the most common sites and causes of roof leaks are gutters clogged with leaves and other debris. For the most part, rainwater will rinse away any debris or dirt in the gutters, keeping them relatively clear. However, when this area gets clogged up it prevents rainwater from draining, which then leads to a build-up of water, causing leaks. A simple way to clean this yourself. Wear gloves and appropriate clothing. Tools you will need are a ladder, a pair of gloves, a brush, a small scoop and some tarp. Lay the tarp on the floor directly beneath where you’re working. Once securely on the ladder, use the brush to move debris onto the scoop before tossing them onto the tarp.

Spray

If you are trying to locate a leak, try and wait until there’s a sunny, dry day before climbing onto your roof with a hose. You can then begin to spray different areas to try and determine where the leak is. Avoid hosing the gutter as this will potentially force water underneath your roofing materials which leads to rot.

Dry Rot

Prevention is always better than cure, as the saying goes. So, when it comes down to it, what you’re looking to do is try and prevent dry rot from occurring in the first place. The best way to do this is to locate the source of moisture and repair any water leaks quickly. Dry rot occurs when there is a lack of ventilation rather than water damage, where fungus and mould begin to thrive and spread. The earlier you tackle and eliminate this, the better. Remove any affected wood and replace immediately. This one might be a job for a professional roofer though, so if you don’t think you can manage this on your own and you’re needing some assistance then definitely consider reaching out.

Inspect

Check the state of your roof and see what sort of condition it’s in. Depending on what material your roof is made from, you might have to replace certain areas if the design of your roof allows for it or redo nails. Sometimes shingles might be faulty and begin to show cracks after some time. This is why materials like COLORBOND® steel are great, because they don’t require as much maintenance as other materials.

If you’re needing any assistance with your roof and want to talk to a specialist, please get in touch with us as we’d love to help.