When it comes to keeping your home or commercial property in good condition, you may be surprised by just how much begins and ends with the roof and guttering system. Your roof does more than protect the interior spaces from the outdoor elements, and your gutters do more than just keeping your roof dry. Understanding some of the most common faults found in roofs and guttering is one of the best ways to avoid issues with the potential to become expensive damages in the future, because this knowledge allows you to be proactive about preventative maintenance.
- Deteriorating Surfacing – Roof tiles can become broken or damaged over time, and they’re not always easily spotted from the ground. Unless you’re investing in routine inspections or happen to go up to the roof, you may not notice deteriorating surfacing until leaks begin to appear inside your home.
- Damaged or Inadequate Flashings – Flashing is an integral part of your total roofing system, as it directs the flow of moisture around openings and seams. This flashing can begin to rust over time or become damaged, and it’s not uncommon for inadequate flashing to be installed in the first place.
- Sagging Roofs – Increased roof loading, poor framing jobs and corroded fixings can all contribute to sagging pitched roofs.
- Unprotected Gutters – One of the most common but least expected issues regarding gutters is the presence of pests who have taken up residence within the roof space, using unprotected gutters as a method of entry.
- Blockages and Leaks – Fallen leaves and other debris can easily block gutters, leaving them incapable of performing their proper function. When blocked gutters mean water is not directed away from the roof and foundation of your home, structural damage can and often does occur.
- Organic Growth – Whether or not the growth of mould and lichen is a fault is largely in the eye of the beholder. Some Australian homeowners have been known to deliberately seed their roof space to promote organic growth, while others go to great lengths to remove this material. Removal actually presents the greatest risk for damage to the roof, though, because some of the chemicals marketed for this purpose are highly corrosive, and can damage guttering or flashing.
- Corroded or Damaged Guttering – Over time, guttering can corrode or become damaged by the elements, leading to holes and leaks. Just as blockages impede the normal function of gutters, so too does physical damage. Leaking areas can easily lead to moisture intrusion in unwanted areas.
- Solar Panel Damage – Solar panels are a great way to save money while doing your part to help save the planet, but they can also present a risk to your roof surfacing if not properly maintained. These panels can snag organic litter like falling leaves, which in turn prevents effective water shedding with the potential to cause leaks. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t install solar panels, though; only that you must make a point of keeping up with regular maintenance in order to ensure their effectiveness while protecting your roof.
All of these common faults have the potential to lead to issues with far-reaching implications, but there is a way to avoid damage. Make a point of inspecting your roof regularly, and working with a professional building inspection company to make sure there are no lurking issues. While you should be able to spot some of the most obvious issues before they become major faults, others may not be so obvious. This is where the trained eye of a qualified building inspector can make all the difference.
Don’t let roof and guttering issues lead to severe problems for your home or commercial property. Contact a qualified inspector today, and make sure you know where you stand before problems get worse.
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