When your home has an expensive slate roof, you must ensure that you maintain it correctly and keep it in excellent condition. Doing so can help prolong the lifespan of your slate roof and help prevent expensive repair bills when it gets damaged. Taking the time and making the effort to care for your roof can save you money in the long term, and it is relatively simple to do.
Below are some tips to help you look after your slate roof and keep it in fantastic condition, so your home looks great and is leak-free.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
You will want to regularly give your slate roof a quick visual inspection, which does not mean you have to get some ladders and climb up to look at it. You will need to look for anything out of the ordinary, and you can do this from the ground. You will want to give it a quick check over after storms and strong winds and look for missing or damaged tiles as well as broken flashing. You will also want to have it professionally inspected once a year to ensure no significant problems, so you will need to call the best slate roofing Sydney or your city’s roofing specialist to work on the repair.
Keep Your Gutters Clear
Whatever types of gutters you have in your home, you will also need to maintain them correctly and keep them clear of debris. The gutters and downspouts are designed to remove water from your roof, and if they are blocked, they can cause leaks to form, potentially damaging your roof. All you need to do is clean your gutters once or twice a year; the start of spring and just before autumn are the best times to do this task.
Look After Your Chimney
You will also need to ensure that you look after your chimney and keep it in excellent condition, which will also benefit your roof. If you have a brick chimney, you will need to get it repointed every few years and replace the mortar holding the bricks in place. It is a simple job to point a chimney, and it is one that you can do yourself. You can even find instructional video online on how to do it. It’s still best to use the services of a professional company, and the job will not take them long at all.
Keep On Top Of Roof Repairs
When you notice a problem with your roof, you will want to get it fixed as quickly as possible. If you leave the problem for a while, it can cause further damage and spread, costing you more to repair. When you notice a cracked or broken slate tile, get your local roofing company on the job and have them replace it quickly.
Check Your Flashing
You will need to check the flashing for your roof and ensure the water does not get on the inside of your home. If your home has copper flashing, this can last for as long as 70 years and requires only a little maintenance. However, if the flashing on your home is made from galvanised steel, this only lasts for around 15-20 years before it needs replacing. Ensure your flashing is in excellent order and no moisture can get into your home, and you can help keep your roof and home in fantastic condition.
