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Roof Maintenance Tips for A Safe and Healthy Home

Our home’s roofing is as important as its foundation. Without the roof, there is nothing to protect your home against elements that could endanger your family and possessions. However, despite its importance, many homeowners don’t see the importance of keeping their roofs maintained.   While some don’t realise the importance of regular roof maintenance, some think that since their roofs are made of quality materials, they will surely last for a long time without checking on them. But this isn’t the case. For your roof to last for the longest time possible and prevent costly repairs, regular maintenance is essential.  If you have no idea how to do it, here are a few roof maintenance tips you can list down to keep your roof healthy and safe for as long as possible.  Keep debris out of your roof  Leaves, branches, and animal debris are among the primary culprits of blocked drains and gutters. If you notice these on your roof, especially after a storm, remove them right away. Failing to do so will cause the rain and snow to be trapped on the roof and eventually cause different problems that require a huge amount of money for repair.  Perform a regular and thorough roof inspection  A roof inspection every few months will help you spot issues earlier and fix them as soon as possible. This will prevent the problem from aggravating and keep your roof healthy all year round. Leaving minor issues untreated is a huge mistake and could lead to costly or irreparable damage in the future.  If you are scared of getting on the roof or you think you don’t have enough skills to do it, it is wise to hire professional roofers to perform the roof inspection for you. Aside from their capability of getting on the roof easily without any problem, they are also trained and experienced to spot and repair issues right away.  Cut trees or branches that are looming over your house  If you have trees looming over your home, it is essential to cut or trim them regularly. If not, they will cause damage not only to your roof but to other parts of your home. During bad weather, the tree or its branches might fall on your roof, causing cracks and holes that would be very costly to repair.  Be vigilant of molds and fungus  Noticed your roof become streaked or turning into a different colour? That could be a sign of fungi, algae, or mold infestation, which could become troublesome sooner than later. Ignoring fungi and mold will not only affect the aesthetics of your roof, but it can also cause deterioration and cost you a massive amount of money on repairs or replacement.  Low Cost Roofing  We are the best team to call for any of your roofing concerns. Our skilled and experienced roofing contractors can provide you with the most suitable solution for any of your roofing needs. We carry out all types of roofing projects, such as inspection, repair, replacement, and more.  Contact us for any of your roofing needs, and let us take care of everything. 

Autumn Checklist For Your Roof

In the summer, it’s easy to forget about your roof with warm sunny days we forget about potential damage to our home such as leaks, overflowing gutters, and lost shingles.

As autumn arrives it’s a good idea to finish all of the outside jobs before the cold weather sets in. Our autumn Checklist helps to ensure that you carry out all those end-of-the-year jobs that will help to protect your roof as we enter the colder seasons.

Foliage in your gutters

As the autumn leaves begin to fall windy weather can cause foliage to land on your roof and gutters. Foliage can cause a risk of a blockage in your gutters that could eventually cause an overflow and leak into your roof. Acting now and clearing out your gutters guarantees that your gutters are clean and blockage free.

roof repair autumn checklist

Chimney Flashing

Chimneys are a common source of leaks it’s important to check the flashing and make sure that it isn’t damaged. Vents should be investigated to make sure that the sealant isn’t cracking or peeling away. Any structure that penetrates through the roof and requires sealing to ensure that your roof doesn’t leak should be looked at it.

Broken Roof Tiles

The main issue with cracked roof tiles is the gap that is created allowing water to enter your roof. This can cause all types of damage, such as mold and mildew resulting in health hazards, damaged walls and ceilings, and damage to belongings.

Moss

Make sure your roof is free of moss. Not only does moss look bad but left on your roof it might damage your roof. Moss roots can actually lift shingles and moss tends to trap moisture, eventually rotting wood.

Roof Inspection

It’s always a good idea to have your roof inspected at least once a year. The cost of an annual inspection and preventative maintenance can save you thousands when compared to the costs of emergency repair and personal injury costs.

To learn more about all the services we offer at Low Cost Roofing, you can contact us via our simple inquiry form or call us on 01782 851 395 and 07581 388 962.

4 Tips to Make Your Roof More Valuable

Admit it or not, the only time most of us think about the condition of our roof is when we experience terrible weather, and our ceiling starts to leak. However, now is the time that you should be aware of and be interested in the value of your roof. Aside from protecting your home and loved ones, a high-quality and sturdy roof adds massive value to your home and can even increase its resale value if well taken care of. But how can you enhance the value of your roof? Here are four helpful tips that you can consider.

Keep it properly ventilated

Aside from keeping the rain, snow, and other harmful elements from entering our home, another essential function of a pitched roofing system is to create a space so that the hot air rising from the inside doesn’t get trapped under the rafters, which will damage our roof deck eventually. If there isn’t enough ventilation on your attic, the moisture can build up and will cause damage sooner than you expected. To get rid of this problem, make sure to keep your roofing system adequately ventilated with the help of professional roofing contractors.

Check your soffits and fascia regularly

Often ignored components of a home roofing system, but soffits and fascia play a vital role in protecting our home against harmful elements. If installed and maintained correctly, it also contributes to our home’s overall appearance. Soffits and fascia always work hand-in-hand together. A soffit board covers the ends of the rafters, while fascia, on the other hand, protects the space under the eaves. Not only that, but these two components also keep birds and vermin from getting inside your attic. You would know that your roofing system is not in good shape and is exposed to risks if your soffits and fascia are showing signs of abrasion. If you want to increase your roofing system’s value, to repair and replace these components is essential. Although not always necessary, replacing your roof before the warranty expires is a good move if you want to enhance its value. However, in some cases, especially those roofs that are exposed to hailstorms or falling branches, they maybe need to replaced sooner. If your roof’s warranty is near its end and you want to know if a replacement is needed or not, contacting your trusted professional roofers would be advantageous. These professionals will inspect and determine if you need to invest in new roofing right away.

Install Skylights

Not having enough natural light is a common problem for many homeowners. Natural light is essential, and its absence inside your home can make occupants feel dark and gloomy even in the middle of the summer season. By installing skylights, dark rooms, and other areas of your home can brighten up. Skylights also increase the value of your home. A worthy investment if you are planning to sell it in the future.

To learn more about all the services we offer at Low Cost Roofing, you can contact us via our simple inquiry form or call us on 01782 851 395 and 07581 388 962.

Early Signs You May Need a Roof Replacement

Your roof is probably the most important protective component of your home. So how do you know when it’s time to replace the roof? No roof lasts forever, especially not so beautiful British weather, but there are ways to estimate how long your current roof should last. When estimating the lifespan of your roof, it’s important to take into consideration the state of your roof, especially if you’re not sure when or how it was installed. Here’s how to notice and deal with potential issues before they become big ones.

1. Watch Your Neighbours

If your house was built around the same time as your neighbours, keep an eye out for when they’re replacing their roofs. If several neighbours are replacing their roofs around the same time, you should consider installing a new roof on your home. This is especially important if you haven’t lived in your home for very long and are unsure of the age of the roof.

2. Age of the Roof

The life expectancy of your roof depends factors that include the roof design and the climate you live in, as well as the quality of installation and long-term care and maintenance. However as a rule of thumb, most roofs can last for 20-25 years before they need to be replaced. The lifespan of your roof will depend on initial installation and upkeep.

3. Water Stain

Water damage in the home or attic is the clearest sign of roof failure.But a leak alone isn’t conclusive proof that an entire roof needs to be replaced. If water sits in the roof-area for too long it can cause wood rot, mold, and other types of destruction.Be sure that the leak isn’t due to poor flashing around a skylight, chimney, vent or other penetration of the roof. Such a problem can be fixed without replacing the entire roof.

4. High Energy Bills

Exposure to extreme weather conditions can impact the functionality of your roof as the boards can start to buckle and break under the weight of the water, causing the roof to sag. If you suddenly see a spike in your air conditioning or heating costs, the cool or warm air may be leaking out through your roof. In turn, this can affect the interior of your home by creating a rather dangerous, unsafe structure, meaning the roof will need replacing immediately.

5. Sunlight through cracks

When examining the roof from inside your home, if you notice any gaps where sunlight appears through the roof boards then you must seek help from a professional roofing company straight away, if light can get in so can rain, cold air, and snow. The sooner you have this fixed, the less likely you are to have to replace the whole roof.

Act Now

Don’t wait until water is unexpectedly pouring into your home by way of a leaky roof. Start protecting your family and home by using some simple observation skills. If you find problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your roof as most repairs can be made before a major rebuild is necessary. To learn more about all the services we offer at Low Cost Roofing, you can check our website or call telephone numbers 01782 851 395 and 07581 388 962.

How To Know If Your Roof Needs Repair or Replacement

As property owners, among the problems we face, are the tearing down, damage, and leaks on our roofs regardless of its material. We often wonder about the best approach in fixing the issue – if we should have it repaired or replaced. To make a wise decision on whether to spend money on roof repair or if it’s time to have a replacement, here are some of the factors you should consider. Your Roof’s Material The life span of your roofing system primarily depends on the type(steep-sloped, low-sloped) and material(polymer, asphalt, metal, etc. ) that is used. They use different ways to identify the problem and require different construction methods. Knowing and understanding your existing roof will help you make the best decision and plan accordingly. Your Roof’s Warranty Performing an independent repair on your roofing might cause the cancellation of its warranty. Most roofings that are under warranty require manufacturer-approved or certified contractors to perform inspections and repairs. It would be best if you take advantage of paying less or none at all while your roof’s warranty is still in effect. When the warranty ends, it’s now your discretion to either get a repair or replacement. Your Roof’s Maturity It might be difficult for you to determine if your roofing system already reached its maturity if you are living in a pre-owned home. But if you have ways of knowing how old is your existing roof, it would be easier for you to determine how long is the time left in its estimated service life. Knowing this information will also help you make the best judgment about whether to invest in a replacement or to perform a repair. Where is the Damage Located Knowing the location of your roof’s damage will also help you decide the best course of action to take. A few damages in some isolated parts of your roof only require repair. However, if the damage is located or affects a large area of your roofing, now that’s the time that you should consider a replacement. Buildings that are prone to severe weather conditions also require durable roofing; thus, replacement is what they need best. Look for Deep-Rooted Issues Sometimes hidden from our knowledge, there are underlying issues that make our roof more prone to damages. These include rainwater that sits on the settled section of low-sloped roofs or the ice build-ups during winter that melt and stays in the roofs for a very long time. Identifying such issues will help you decide which is the best solution – repair or replacement. If you need expert advice, feel free to contact us. We’d be more than glad to use our knowledge and expertise in helping you make the right choice.