Preventing water damage to your home is one of the most important aspects of your home’s well being. Water can find it’s way into your home through plumbing issues, foundation cracks, walls, and yes, even your roof. Even a few drops of water can potentially cause structural damage, mold, and other humidity problems within in your home. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to waterproof your roof.
The goal of your roof is to withstand the harshest weather conditions without ever allowing a droplet of moisture inside the interior of your home. In order for your home to be able to do this, it must be in it’s best condition.
Inspect and Repair Your Roof
If you live in an extremely cold or hot weather climate be sure to inspect the condition of your roof before the peak winter and summer months in order to get it repaired before the arrival of the harsher weather. While inspecting your roof, look for any broken or cracked shingles or tiles that are in need of replacement to avoid any leaks and severe water damage. Also make sure to inspect the flashing around your chimney, or any other areas, in case it needs to be replaced. For more information on how to maintain your roof, read our blog post “DIY: Minor Roofing Problems That You Can Handle.”
Clean Out Debris in Your Gutters
Debris, like leaves, can block your gutter’s downspout, preventing water from draining off of your roof. To avoid this, clean out your gutters before each new season. This includes the eaves, troughs, and drainpipes to remove any leaves, tree branches or shingles that may be in your gutters. Then wash out any smaller pieces of debris with a water hose forcing the debris down the downspout of your gutters and monitoring for any clogging that may occur.
If you ever notice any water pooling in your gutters, it is a clear sign that the downspout is clogged. Attend to your gutters as quickly as possible to prevent any water spilling out of and down the house’s exterior that could cause major dampness and leak issues internally in your home.
Also inspect the condition of your gutters, if they appear to be damaged or rusted in any area they more than likely need to be replaced with new ones.
Trim Tree Branches
Cut any dead tree limbs that may be hovering near your house. Strong storms may cause dead branches to break and fall on your roof causing further damage. This is another good thing to do before the beginning of each season, especially the summer season when heavy rainfall is most present.
Water proofing your roof will give you a sense of ease about damage to your home. Taking the time to complete these proactive tasks regularly will greatly eliminate any water damage caused by your roof. If you do ever feel like your roof is leaking, call our expert, qualified roofers at (513) 279-8362 immediately.