A leaky roof can be hard to get a handle on if you aren’t prepared. Keeping your roof in good repair means that you need to stay on top of it. Here are some of the techniques that you can use to help your roof last longer.
Focus on Problem Areas
Roofs that aren’t as steeply pitched or are underneath vegetation can prove to be problematic. Focusing on these areas can help to keep the leaks out of your home. Removing moss and replacing shingles that are worn will help you to achieve this goal. Another thing to consider is applying a sealant over these types of spots. Many of these types of sealants can be applied like paint to give you a few more years on the life of your roof.
Invest in Sealing
Leaks can form in other parts of your roof that you may not have considered. For example, nail heads or the flashing around your siding could be another area for water intrusion. Investing in sealing these areas will stop water from getting into your home. Make sure to use a sealant that’s rated for your roof. You don’t want to waste the time and effort sealing these places only to have the sealant become damaged and flake off.
Replace It
Roof replacement is the failsafe method to protecting your investment. This is the only surefire way that will ensure that you won’t develop a leak in some of area of your roof. Using a licensed installer will also ensure that your roof will be up to the task for years to come. Look into algae control shingles if your home is in a wet climate or underneath trees. This will help to protect your roof for an even longer period of time.
Inspect Points of Entry
There are other points of entry that could be causing your roof to leak. These include chimneys, plumbing boots, and ventilation caps. You may want to consider replacing them and redoing the sealant around their bases. Gutters are another reason that you may have water backing up underneath your shingles. Keeping them clean can help with this problem. You may also want to invest in metal flashing behind your gutters to prevent other types of water entry.
Investigating your roof is the first place to start so that you can fix your problem appropriately. Use these tips to get you started on the process of maintaining the health of your roof.