Roof Maintenance: Inspection, Safety and Prevention

Roof maintenance is one of the most underrated maintenance activities. We often take the protection that a roof provides for granted until we notice a leak or a crack on the walls. Thankfully, you can prevent these from getting out of hand by simply performing a few checks yourself.

If you have read our post on Working at Height, you understand the necessity of planning your work to prevent accidents such as falls from height. If you haven’t, read our article detailing the steps of carrying out a risk assessment beforehand.

Roofs should be inspected at least twice a year, once before extreme weather to prepare it and once after to repair any damage taken during. This can be done by a building staff, roof architect, roof engineer, roofing contractor or yourself!

What is a roof made of?

First, it’s important to understand what are the elements you’ll need to look out for. These are the parts that make up the roof:

Flashing, made of a metal sheet made from aluminium or steel, placed over joints (chimneys, vents, skylights, windows) to prevent water leakage
Shingles are commonly made of asphalt and cover nearly the entirety of the roof
Underlayment is the layer between the decking and shingles that provides an additional barrier against rain and wind
Gutters collect water and drain it to a safe distance away
Downspout, a pipe for draining water from gutters
Fascias are made of a vinyl or wood horizontal boards, and are attached to the edge of the roof to prevent water and wind from damaging the interior of the building
Vents allow warm humid air to escape from the interior

Inspect your roof regularly

Thoroughly inspect your roof several times a year to notice small problems that could potentially turn into big ones. Ensure you have all the paperwork you need, including the contact details of the companies that built the roof, previous inspectors, technical services, contractors. Take some notes and have a roof plan available if you notice broken parts.

Start from the inside, water or dark stains on ceiling, mould or odours.
Check internal and external walls for any cracks, as these could be caused by pipes and conduit.
It’s possible to carry out external inspections using binoculars.
Check for water pooling, since this can weaken the roof deck and lead to leaks.
Inspect the roof for moss, as moss holds a lot of water and can weaken the roof deck.
Notice missing or broken flashing, shingles and fascias.
Check gutters and downspouts as moss, leaves and debris could block them.

Safety first!

Safety is paramount while performing these maintenance tasks. Carefully plan the tasks and always stay mindful of your surroundings throughout. Hire a professional if you are not confident enough to carry out roof maintenance and work at height.

Perform maintenance on a clear dry day, for maximum visibility and to reduce the risks of slipping and tripping.
Always have someone hold ladders and climbing equipment rather than venture up alone.
Roof safety harnesses secure workers to the roof and can as a result help prevent falls from larger buildings and steeper roofs.
Ensure you have the adequate safety measures in place, depending on whether it’s a sloping or flat roof, for example have safety nets or scaffolds. Section off safe and unsafe areas for more fragile roofs.
Read the HSE guidelines for doing your own work on roofs.

Roof maintenance tips

After inspecting the roof, it’s time to clean and repair faults. Perform these maintenance tasks yourself if you are confident and comfortable enough. Hire a professional to carry out these tasks if you are unsure of what to do.

Remove branches, leaves and debris from the roof surface. Use either a rake or a brush and scrub dirt and grime from visible and reachable areas.
Spray roof moss remover on top of moss build-ups, follow instructions and then brush away moss.
Use work gloves and small scoop to remove any debris and rotten leaves stuck in the gutters.
For inaccessible debris inside the gutter, use a garden hose at normal pressure and flush the debris out.
If building has a chimney, close off the fireplace, clean the chimney interior with a brush and clean the vents.

Invest in durable equipment

Depending on your budget, storage area and your needs, consider investing in ladders for inspection and carrying out maintenance.

Extension Ladders are ideal for indoor and outdoor use. Simply slide off the multiple sections to the desired height and lock into position.
Telescopic Ladders are convenient and compact. They are perfect for workplace and household use and save up on storage space.
Roof Ladders are lightweight and robust and the hook is perfect for secure roof climbing.
Combination Ladders are preferable if you enjoy DIY work and need steps, a work platform, ladder and step ladder all in one.
Roof Safety Harness, Safety Nets and Helmets to prevent injuries and falls.
Quality gardening equipment such as a robust Brush, Rake, Scoop, Work Gloves, Garden Hose
Moss Killer for Roofs

Prevention is key

Replacing a roof is an expensive affair, protect your investment by maintaining your roof regularly and carrying out preventive checks.

Invest in gutter screens or covers to reduce the amount of debris that gets collected.
Faulty roofs don’t always cause mould. Make sure there is adequate ventilation inside the building.
Invest in zinc strips to keep moss from coming back, as runoff from strips inhibits the growth of moss. Make sure you don’t use this if you live near a stream or sea where the runoff can harm marine life.
Trim branches that could damage your roof with violent winds or with the build-up of fallen leaves.
Do quick checks after storms for damaged shingles and flashing.

Make it part of your routine to glance upwards every now and then and take action to repair damaged parts as soon as you notice them. By taking good care of your roof regularly, you can ensure that its protection lasts longer! Visit us at Access Equipment Direct2U for all of your access needs, and chat with us if you’d like a free site survey! We offer Free Delivery to UK Mainland.