If you have a relatively minor repair that you want to make to your roof, it doesn’t mean you have to call the professionals. Sometimes, you can take care of things on your own, which can help you to save time and money. However, if you will be performing your own roof repair, you have to be careful and abide by some very simple and basic guidelines. Let’s look at some tips that can help you along the way.
Always Be Safe
First, when you are getting on your roof, whether it is your home, business or RV, you need to think about safety. Do not get up onto the roof when it is snowy or raining outside. Always have someone else around who knows you are on the roof and who can get help in the event you need it. Be careful getting up and down the ladder as well, and never move too quickly on the roof. There is always the danger of slipping and falling, but wearing rubber soled shoes can give you a better grip.
Finding a Leak
A good way to find out exactly where you have a leak is to take a garden hose up to the roof and then spray into different sections of the roof. Have someone inside who can let you know when the leak starts. This can give you a very good indication of the leak’s location, which is important when you – or the pros – repair it.
Keep the Gutters Clear of Debris
One of the ways to prevent some of the issues that people have with their roof in the first place is simply to keep the gutters nice and clean. This is one of the biggest causes of roof leaks, and it is something that you can fix easily. Just make sure you check your gutters several times through the course of the year – once a month or once every other month can suffice. Keeping them clear greatly reduces the chance of a leak.
Regular Inspections
One of the best ways to keep on top of potential repairs and to deal with them before they get out of hand is to conduct regular inspections inside and outside the home. Look for evidence of the roof sagging and leaking, and look for things such as broken shingles and damaged gutters to see the trouble spots.
What to Do?
Once you know that you have some problems, you need to consider how to go about the roof repair. Is it something that you can do on your own? If you have a flat roof, for example, you will be able to use liquid roof repair systems and take care of many of the issues. If there’s a gaping hole in the roof, however, you will need to use the services of a professional. Never do more than you are comfortable with when it comes to repairs. You do not want to get in over your head and into a situation where your mistakes add to the repair costs.