Central Scotland gets more than its fair share of wind, rain and snow, and therefore the roofs in this part of the world need to be in good condition, just in case some weather blows in with damage and disruption on its mind. True, we don’t spend six months of every year worrying about hurricanes, like they do in the Caribbean, but named storms are now a thing in the UK and we seem to be seeing more of them than ever. So, what really needs to be done to maintain a roof in our neck of the woods?
How to Identify and Fix Roof Leaks
Leaks are the obvious bad guys in roof maintenance. A leak lets in water, and water where it’s not meant to be causes damage. It can start off as a small stain on a ceiling or wall, but if it isn’t tackled quickly, that can lead to more serious damage: crumbling plaster, peeling paint and rotting wood come next, with insects and vermin hot on their heels. It’s a slippery slope, but the good news is that damage can be kept to a minimum if you check regularly and act fast.
Ideally, of course, you would spot and fix a potential leak before the next drop of rain can come along and sneak in like an infinitely agile burglar. But how do you spot trouble before it happens? The simple answer is to establish a relationship with a good roofing company in Central Scotland and get them to carry out regular inspections. This doesn’t mean getting work done when you don’t need it: if you deal with a reputable firm, they will do a check-up free of charge, and even if there is nothing to report, you know you’ve got someone on the case when you eventually do need them – and you will, one day.
What trouble looks like to the layperson and what it looks like to an expert are two different things. While a householder will be looking for obvious issues such as broken and missing tiles or slates, getting a good look at the roof in the first place is not easy. Nobody should be balancing precariously on a ladder, looking for trouble, because the trouble you find may not be of the bricks-and-mortar kind, but the broken bones variety.
What is needed is a professional job: a skilled roofer carrying out a safe, detailed inspection and reporting their findings to you. With camera phones now they can even take pictures to show you what they have found. It could be a split in a bit of flashing – the joining/sealing material that keeps water out of seams and corners. A fine, solid roof can be let down by a small fissure where it meets a wall, and you would have to get pretty close to it to notice. If it is not spotted, though, the next time you find yourself humming Riders on the Storm or Why Does It Always Rain on Me, your cheery sing-song could be spoiled by the sight of water damage inside, where it counts.
Dealing With Moss and Algae Growth on Roofs
Vegetation on your roof is unsightly and potentially troublesome. That doesn’t have to mean grass growing in your gutters, but in this case moss and algae are weeds and they should be removed. They get into joints, grow under things and generally cause trouble that may be low-key at first but is the initial stage of rickety roof syndrome. You don’t tolerate growths on your walls, outside or in, so why put up with these? Dictionaries define moss as a very small plant that grows on wet surfaces, rocks and trees. They don’t mention roofs, because moss and algae existed for millennia before man started putting nice tiles and slates on roofs.
This is all part of roof maintenance, and it makes sense, because it pays to keep your roof in good condition.
