Picture the scene: You’ve just sat down to watch the first episode of the new drama series you’ve been looking forward to all week, when you hear a drip, drip, drip. Thinking it’s the kitchen tap, you go to investigate. When it becomes apparent that it’s not the kitchen tap, you check the bathroom but there’s nothing to see there either. You return to the sofa, irritated to have missed the first few minutes of the programme, but now convinced that you’re hearing things. However the drip persists. You turn down the volume on the T.V. and follow the sound, only to discover that there are large drips of water falling onto the bedroom floor. Yes, your roof is leaking, and unfortunately there’s no easy way to turn that off!

Luckily, this true story had a happy ending and a swift repair meant that the remainder of what actually turned out to be a very mediocre drama series could be watched without the additional sound effects! The point to note, however, is that neglecting the proper maintenance of your roof can lead to inconvenience, financial outlay, and potentially some serious damage to your home.

What can go wrong with your roof?

The most common problem with roofs is water leakage. Left unchecked, this can cause damage to your loft space, interior walls and in the long term can even compromise the structure of your house. Exposure to varied weather conditions and temperatures can lead to the gradual deterioration of your roof and keeping an eye out for any signs of this (eg. damp patches on walls or ceilings) can save you a lot of unnecessary stress further down the line.

Another tell-tale sign of a potential problem is scratching noises coming from your loft. It’s not uncommon for little animals to find their way into your loft space and decide to stay! This can cause the original hole which allowed them access to become wider, and further damage can be caused over time; dealing with this fairly quickly is a very good idea and will prevent what can sometimes amount to quite a considerable amount of damage.

Keeping your guttering clear is an essential part of maintaining your roof as leaves, twigs and other debris can easily cause blockages. These blockages prevent rainwater from draining away properly and will inevitably lead to water pooling on your roof. It’s advisable to clean your gutters at least once a year; if your property is too high to allow you to do this yourself, find a reputable company that can carry out this service for you. Arranging for a professional to take care of this for you on an annual basis means that you’re not going to forget to do it, and that it’s going to be done properly.

It goes without saying that severe weather conditions can cause havoc when it comes to roofs. High winds can cause slates to become dislodged or blown off completely. Although it can be difficult to inspect your roof properly following a storm, do walk round your house keeping an eye out for any evidence lying around in the garden. If you see anything suspicious (eg. pieces of broken slate) get it checked out immediately by a professional.

Prevention is better than cure

It’s an old saying but it’s true nonetheless, getting your roof checked regularly by a professional can save you a great deal of stress and expense in the long run. If you’re looking for advice on any aspect of roof repair or replacement, Kirkland Contracts can help, call Kirkland Contracts on 0800 310 2950.