If you're doing a home improvement job on your roof, there are certain things to look out for. Obviously, we want to create the maximum life for our roof, while keeping costs low. With a few tips, any home owner can keep a roof in tip-top shape with minimal investment.
Words of Wisdom with Skylights
Skylights are small windows in a roof that allows the sunlight to pour into the household. These can help save on both lighting costs and heating costs in some cases. But these advantages are double-edged: as skylights have been long associated with roofing problems.
Skylights are fairly expensive- even when installing them without the help of a contractor. They also tend to leak- causing more problems and possible damage to the interior of a home. To counteract possible damage, be sure to fit and seal the edges of the skylight to perfection. If you see several drops of water form from the skylight after the installation process, don't fret- condensation will commonly build up on skylights, even when no leaks are present.
Metal Shingles Vs Conventional Shingles:
There aren't many metal shingles on many personal homes. Instead, an organic alternative is used. Metal shingles don't degrade as easily as the organic material, but metal shingles cost more on average. Metal singles also do not have any traction- meaning that if any work needs to be done on a roof- make certain to be extremely careful. There are some forms of metal shingles that include grit or grooves to prevent slips and falls- but these are also expensive.
Metal shingles are more apparent on buildings. If you pay close attention, you'll notice that many buildings have metal alternatives. This goes to show that metal shingles are preferred for long roof life, but often the cost is too high for the average home owner to enjoy this alternative.
Concerns with Ice Damage:
Preventing ice damage can be tough, since the battle we are fighting is against water. When ice forms on a roof, heat from the house will melt part of the ice. This water will then trickle underneath the shingles in a roof, which then leaks into the attic.
To help prevent against ice and water damage, better insulation is needed. This will keep the attic cold, so the ice or snow doesn't melt. Some types of shingles are also created to be resistant to ice damage- and most types of metal shingles can withstand this foe with ease.
It might not seem like an urgent situation, but ice damage can actually be quite costly. The constant stream of water will seep into wood that supports the roof. Over time, this will weaken and degrade the wood. Eventually if this is left unattended to, the roof will become so weakened that it will collapse. Although this would take many years in most cases, even repairing partially damaged wood will set anyone back a pretty penny.
Final Thoughts on Roof Longevity:
Ensuring a roof will last a lifetime is important- as roofing jobs are fairly expensive. Be sure to follow the above tips to protect the investment that come with installing a proper roof. This ounce of prevention will be worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes- and it will end up saving a household possibly thousands in repairs.
