Considering roofs are an integral part of every household that protects the residents and their property, it’s crucial to keep it in the best condition at all times. Roofs are sturdy, secure, and durable, but they still need proper maintenance to perform their main function flawlessly and withstand the harsh treatment of weather elements.
Roof maintenance comes as a mandatory task every homeowner should perform to prevent leaks and extend the roof’s lifespan. If you’re not sure how to do it, follow our guide to roof leak prevention. We explain every step of the process in detail and provide some additional info to help you take care of your roof properly and prevent costly troublesome leaks.
Before we start with the list of things you can do to prevent leaks, it’s important to mention the common signs of roof leaks. Hopefully, after reading our guide, you’ll be able to avoid leaks and damage to your property. However, if you notice some of the following things, repairs, and replacements might be the only solution.
Don’t despair if you do detect a leak in your roof. In most cases, a simple repair will do the trick and resolve the issue. Plus, once you learn to recognize and detect leaks, you’ll be more versed in repairing and preventing them in the future.
There are a couple of things you can do on your own to mitigate roof leaks. First of all, you’ll want to minimize interior water damage. You can do this by moving items such as furniture and electronics that might get damaged by water. If you can’t move your belongings, cover them with plastic sheets. Secondly, collect the water with a bucket, so it doesn’t splash on the floors. If the water leaks through the ceiling, you can also pin a small hole in it to prevent damage to the paint.
Now, when it comes to repairs, most homeowners can patch and fix smaller holes and cracks in the roof all on their own. Replacing a few damaged shingles is an easy process too, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing it alone, contact a professional contractor. Experts will identify the issue and resolve it in a breeze – you won’t have to move a finger, and your roof will get the care it needs.
Roof leaks take time to develop, but they are usually discovered when it’s too late. The main reason behind this is a late inspection. The roof needs proper care to withstand heavy weather abuse, yet most homeowners neglect it. The fact is, if you want to avoid leaks in the roof altogether and prolong its lifespan, you have to perform regular checkups and repairs. These are not demanding tasks, and they become even easier after a little bit of practice. It’s only important to know when and what to do to prevent roof leaks.
Here are our top maintenance steps for avoiding roof leaks:
We can’t stress enough how important it is to run regular roof inspections. This can save your home from bothersome and costly leaks, and it doesn’t even demand a lot of effort and energy. You don’t always need to rely on a professional to run a visual checkup of your roof. It’s enough to look around the house, inspect the condition of the walls and shingles, and check the color of the roof to get a general insight into the overall condition of the roof.
If you notice a minor change in the roof discoloration or structure, you should take action immediately. Replacing some shingles or patching a few holes is simple and can save you from excessive damage in the future.
After the outdoor inspection, you can go inside and examine the attic. This is another place that will give up the leak and help you pinpoint the root of the problem. For example, if you notice wet spots on the floors or light coming through the holes of the attic, you probably have a leak somewhere in the roof. Mold or mildew growth is also a bad sign you should act upon inspection.
The roof requires regular cleanups just like the other parts of your house. Leaves and debris can pile up on the roof and retain water longer than necessary, which often results in standing water, wet spots, and mold on the surface. To avoid this from happening, make sure to run a thorough roof cleanup at the start of every season.
Gutters also require regular cleaning. It’s not enough to install them correctly but keep them dry and free of moisture and debris as well. Clean gutters function properly and prevent leaks. Once they get clogged, rainwater stays up on the roof and pressures the shingles, causing irreparable damage. To avoid full roof replacement due to damaged shingles, make sure to keep gutters clean and secure.
While you’re into the roof inspection and maintenance, check the sealant and caulk. They also wear out over time and require replacement now and then for full leak protection. When you re-seal and re-caulk on time, you maintain spots prone to water damage, such as window sills, chimneys, openings in the attic, and more.
Now, while the task is pretty straightforward and you can do it on your own, going for professional roofing services is also a good option that won’t be too hard on your pocketbook. If you feel you can’t re-seal and re-caulk alone for any reason at all, roofing experts can do it for you at a reasonable price.
You should call a professional roofing contractor if you are not well-versed in roof inspections, maintenance, or repairs. Although many people enjoy DIY work, not all homeowners are excited about getting up and about the roof. Professional roofers are experienced in the matter and can perform related tasks in a breeze. They also provide top-notch services for protecting your home from leaks in the long term.
Thus, you should call professionals if you feel uncomfortable with maintaining or repairing your roof for any reason or you would like to leave the job to experts. Roofing contractors are also a better option for resolving already developed leaks and other existing issues.
Roof leak prevention is much easier with the help of professionals. If you’re considering an option to hire someone to work on your roof instead of doing the job yourself, take a look at the main benefits of hiring roofing contractors.
When you hire professionals to replace and install your roof, you also get proper roof sealing. Reliable contractors will follow roof leak protection protocols and install underlayment beneath your roof to ensure safety and longevity. With adequate sealing, the roof is less likely to hold water and leak, even if you lose some shingles during the storm.
Of course, if you can install the roof and the sealing on your own, we say go for it! But hiring qualified and experienced contractors to perform the job might be a better option.
No matter how hard a homeowner tries to take care of the roof, leaks can still happen. An untrained eye can simply miss some warning signs and let the problem evolve. That’s why we recommend hiring a roofing contractor, at least for annual inspections and repairs. Experts will warn you about underlying issues and advise you on additional steps you can take to maintain the roof.
If you live in Arizona, you know what kind of havoc monsoons can wreak on the roof. The dynamic state weather poses an immense challenge to residential homes, which is why regular roof inspections and proper maintenance are crucial. Still, the situation often requires more work than most homeowners can provide.
If you want to prepare for the monsoon season and prevent terrible consequences, consider hiring a roofing contractor in Phoenix. Professionals will run the necessary tests, repairs, and replacements to prevent leaks and successfully protect your entire home.
Capstone Roofing is here to help you combine DIY maintenance and professional roofing services for ultimate results. With years of experience in the roofing industry, we provide unmatched accuracy and protection for our customers. Whether you need a roof inspection, repair, or replacement, we are at your disposal. Capstone Roofing is serving customers in the entire state of Arizona, and we provide roofing support for both daily situations and emergencies. Contact us today and make sure your home is safe!