Getting a new roof for your home or fixing the one you have now can be an expensive proposition. But doing it yourself is nasty, messy and sometimes actually dangerous. This is why it can be hard to decide just what to do when you can see that your roof is going to need some help to get you through another Houston winter. But there are a few things you can do now that will help, whether you have clay or metal roofing Houston homeowners. Take these tips to heart and you might be able to put off that big roofing job for a new more years.
Finding a Leak
Sometimes you only have a small leak and don’t need to replace the whole roof, just the area where the leak exists. But how to find that leak that you saw when it was raining but of course now it isn’t, can be tough. One way is to take a hose and run it over the roof, watching for where it lands when that leak shows up again. This way you aren’t up on the roof in the rain, a dangerous place for anyone, and can pinpoint the leak area to make sure your roofers simply take care of the one area of concern.
Clean Out Those Gutters
While none of us love to do this, clogged gutters are one of the biggest ways that you will develop leaks on your roof. When leaves fill up your gutters, the rain water has nowhere to go and will instead pool on your roof, causing too much pressure on that particular area. Grab the ladder and make a habit of checking out those gutters, especially in the fall when all those leaves are coming down and bound to cause problems for you. Better yet, get that teenage boy in front of the computer to take a break and do it for you.
Watch for Ice Buildup in Winter
Our heated homes can cause problems for our roofs when they create areas where the ice on the roof can build up and then melt and drip into the areas between the tiles. This will then become ice again, creating a damaging area that can in the end introduce water to the interior walls of the home.
Watch for ice buildup on the roof in the winter, particularly after a big snowstorm. Be sure to clear off the roof if the snow becomes heavy, most roofs are not designed to take a heavy snowfall and the last few years have seen some records broken in many parts of the country. Winter can be hard on the roof, so be sure to check it from time to time if the weather gets severe.
Check Roof Boots and Shingles for Damage
Wind can be a major damage creator as well as rain and snow. The best way to watch for damages from all of these is to schedule a regular inspection of the roof, particularly the roof boots. These are the areas where you have added in skylights and other intrusions into the roof, with the special rubber that wraps the edges to protect them from water damage.
But these boots can get brittle from heat, damaged by wind and then soon are letting water into unprotected areas and into the house. By the same count, shingles can be lifted in heavy winds exposing the tarpaper below to the elements. Always check your roof after big storms to ensure that minor damage doesn’t grow into something that will cost you plenty to fix.
