Time to repair your roof? Top tips on when you should invest:

Repairing your roof, no matter how small or large the work is, is an investment! Protecting my family and the value of my home seems like a sound investment to me.

 Do you know the current condition of your roof? It is an aspect of our homes that most of us pay very little attention to, unaware as to whether there are any signs of damage. We’d be concerned if there was a crack in our wall, or a missing brick, so why are we less concerned when the damage is happening on our roof?

Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements. A small leak can very quickly escalate in to a major project. You can assess your roof internally and externally

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Grab a torch and a ladder and head up to the attic. There are 4 things you do not want to see:

• Dark spots on the interior of the roofing
• Signs of leaking or water damage
• Any light from outside shining through
• Places where the roof is low or sagging

On the outside of your roof, you should be looking for:

• Cracked, ripped, torn or missing shingles
• Signs of moisture rot and mould. Although sometimes difficult to spot, the area should have a distinctive change of colour, fungi or an area where water collects.
• Check drainage. If the water can’t flow off your roof, there is only one place it will end up going, in your house. Drainage should be attached properly and clear of blockages (not the nicest of jobs but better than having an unwanted pool in your house).
• Any vents in your house should lead to outside. Vents collect water and condensation and if not directed properly can be the cause of leaks.
• Scan the roof for loose material, particularly around chimneys or vents.

Anyone with wooden material in their roof should look out for termites, rot and sagging. Wood can be a beautiful feature in a home but is often the most vulnerable to damp and other damage.

I’m not for one minute saying that your attic should become the most used space in your home, or that you need to justify to neighbors why you are constantly standing outside staring at your roof, binoculars in hand. A good guide is to take a quick inspection; it only has to be 10 minutes, at the end of every season. This way the inspection is regular enough and will allow for any damage harsh weather might have caused.

If any of the above applies to you and your home, don’t panic. Get a professional in ASAP! Most roofing repairs are fairly inexpensive if found early enough, the costs only begin to amount when the problem has been left to cause damage to your home and the interior build.

I guess the moral of the story is, ‘prevention is better than the cure’. Hopefully, by catching any damage early you can protect your home and the loved ones that live in it while keeping any expense to a minimum.

Guest Author By-line:

Hillary Ealey is a unique blogger with an interest in anything Home Improvement or Home Decoration. This article was contribute on behalf of LEAFIELD PROJECTS.