Everyday exposure to the sun, rain and other adverse weather conditions can wreak havoc with your roof. As well as this, general wear and tear slowly ages the membrane and a combination of these two factors is what results in leaks occurring or parts of the roof coming off.

Although the ageing of any product is inevitable, the good news is that with the right maintenance, you can extend the life of your roof and keep it looking great for much longer.

Be pro-active

 It’s easy to notice when the house needs a lick of paint, the boiler is playing up or the carpets could do with a good scrub. Because we very rarely access our roofs however, it’s all too easy to neglect them.

One of the best ways to preserve the life of your roof is to be pro-active when it comes to maintenance. How often you should have your roof inspected varies greatly depending on how old your property is, what your roof is made from and what the immediate environment surrounding the structure is.

As a general rule however, flat roofs should be viewed every two years, composition and tile roofs every three years and cedar and metal roofs every four to five years. If you have a lot of trees surrounding your house, you should up the frequency of checks because this increases the chances of harmful moss and debris accumulation. If your roof is also exposed to a lot of direct sunlight or high winds, you should also have your roof looked at more regularly.

Invest for the long-term

 If an issue does arise with your roof, don’t opt for the quickest and cheapest solution. Chances are that it will be a temporary measure and in a year’s time or even just a couple months down the line you will have to repeat the process and in which time, further damage could have been caused.

If the cost of a repair seems quite hefty, obtain a few quotes and rtemember that if done properly, it could protect your roof for its lifetime.

Flat roof drainage

 If you have a flat roof, it’s very important to consider drainage soluions. With a structure that is tilted, any rain water will naturally flow away but if your roof is flat, it will simply sit there until it evaporates or dries.

In the meantime, standing water on a flat roof can cause the structure to sag, it increases the likelihood of flooding, plants and moss may start to grow and it could result in premature deterioration of roofing materials.

Clean away any roof debris

 The different seasons can be hard on the roof of your house so it’s important to manage this accordingly. In winter, if there’s any snow or ice, try to get this removed as soon as possible. In the autumn, a lot of leaves tend to fall so as the season is coming to an end, clean your roof so it’s free from any leaves and other debris. Leaving them to sit there can clog up drains and gutters which will eventually restrict water flow and could lead to big problems.

After any major storm it’s also worth checking if any debris has accumulated or shingles have become lose or broken.