The roof on your home is obviously very important and it is made up of numerous sections, with either a timber or steel inner framework, while guttering ensures that excess rainwater has somewhere to go. Slate is one of the most popular roofing materials and if you have neglected your roof lately, here are a few important things you should know about your roof.
1. A roof needs ventilation – A lot of people mistakenly think that their roof needs to be sealed off, when, in fact, there should be an airflow through the interior of the roof. Timber slats usually provide an airflow and they could be positioned at both ends of the roof to facilitate good ventilation.
2. A flat roof is not flat – The word ‘flat’ leads us to believe the roof is perfectly level, when in fact, it is always slanted slightly to the rear or one side, in order to facilitate water run-off. There are numerous materials used in flat roofing; tar, rubber and felt are some popular materials, which provide a watertight surface.
3. Roof designs are many – Those who live in a cold climate would have a different roof shape to those who live in a tropical region, while some roof designs are better than others in terms of wind protection. If you are looking to replace your roof, talk to a local roofer who can show you many designs and help you to choose one that is most suitable. If you are planning a new build in a suburb, you might have to fall into line regarding roof styles.
4. Issues never fix themselves – When a few roof tiles are blown off during a gale, this means water can now enter the internal roof structure and when the fascia and soffit boards become old, it just gets worse. Most homeowners arrange for a yearly roof inspection, when the contractor carries out any minor repairs that might be required before the damage occurs. If you need professional roof repair in Sydney, or in anywhere else around the world, Google is your best friend and can take you to the website of a local Suffolk County Roof Repair.
5. Nothing lasts forever – That includes your roof, which might have a lifespan of 10-30 years, depending on what it is made of and the quality of the installation. Some homeowners prefer a steel roof, which could last up to 50 years and most roofing companies provide metal roofs in a range of attractive colours. Any roofer could inspect your roof and estimate its lifespan, which gives you time to save money.
Roof maintenance is an essential aspect of property management, which is why you should ask a local roofing contractor to carry out a roof inspection and the best time to do this is in the summer. When you are thinking about acquiring a property, you should have the building surveyed prior to making a commitment, as any serious issues would be very costly to address.
