Here’s the bad news: you can’t expect your home’s roof to last forever. Roofs simply weren’t built that way. Now, here’s the good news: you can still help to make your residential roof last longer before it needs to be replaced.
The key is to keep on top of routine responsibilities when it comes to maintenance and repair. Nonetheless, the job of strengthening a roof can start from when it is set to be initially installed, as the first of the following points attests…
Select the right material for your roof
Buying a new roof can be a lot like buying a new phone or laptop: the more money you spend on it, the better quality the product is likely to be and the longer it could last as a result.
So, if your domestic roof needs fully replacing, perhaps consider a material different to what you had originally envisioned. While a wood shingle roof can last 25-30 years, the estimated lifespan of a slate roof surpasses a hundred years, according to The Spruce.
Keep your attic well-insulated
Even if your loft space is already insulated, there could remain a big question mark over whether this has been done to the highest possible standard.
That’s why you could benefit from arranging for a professional to carry out an energy audit in your attic. Using a technique like thermal imaging, this worker could reliably discern signs of heat leakage in the loft and so suggest where it could do with new or better insulation.
Watch out for signs of dry rot
Once dry rot has took hold in your roof timbers, your roof could eventually be completely destroyed by it. The trick is therefore to catch it early, as you potentially could do if you notice cracks and streaks forming in suspicious places around your home’s interiors.
In this instance, roof shingles could have become brittle and started falling off due to the roof timbers rotting. A professional roof repair specialist can detect and rectify dry rot on your behalf.
Task a professional with undertaking an annual roof inspection
Having your roof inspected occasionally can help you to make sure that emerging issues with your roof are detected and acted upon — and consequently prevented from significantly worsening.
However, Today’s Homeowner warns that “inspecting the roof can be hazardous”, adding: “Have a professional conduct an annual inspection rather than risk your safety.”
If you need an inspection for roofing in Newcastle, for example, you could ask the locally-based Findley Roofing & Building for a free roof health check.
Have the roof trusses checked
These span the width of a roof and support it. Today’s Homeowner cautions: “Like any other support in the home, though, they can weaken over time, and may need to be replaced in older homes to prevent larger problems from occurring.”
The same roofing professional you ask to complete an all-round assessment of your roof’s health could let you know whether the existing roof trusses are problematic — and offer to replace them if so.
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