Of course, knowing whether you have a problem with your roof requires understanding the main issues it can attract. Some people simply don’t know what to look for and when to call for help. 

That’s where this blog comes into the picture. It runs through the main things that can go wrong with a roof and, of course, how to fix them. 

Damaged Shingles

Problem number one for many roofs is damaged shingles. Sometimes individual sections can break away from the rafters. 

If this happens, you can sometimes get roofing pros to nail them back down. However, they may have more damage (especially if they have come away during a storm). 

In rarer cases, shingles can physically dry out. Over time, the oils they contain drain away, leaving them brittle and fragile. 

Dealing with this problem requires specialist treatment with products like Roof Maxx. These add lubrication back to the tiles, helping them to remain supple and waterproof. 

Ice Dams

You also want to be careful of ice dams, or ridges that can develop on the edge of the roof in winter. These occur when warm air in the attic melts the snow on the roof, causing it to melt, and then refreeze lower down when things get colder again. 

Large dams are a problem because of their weight and the fact that they can stop water from running off the roof and into the guttering. Over time, the situation can get worse, potentially putting the entire building at risk. 

Fortunately, you can deal with ice dams by heating your roof slightly on days when you think temperatures will dip significantly. Even providing a small amount of warmth can make a tremendous difference. 

Lack Of Ventilation

Lack of ventilation is another thing that can go wrong with your roof. If moisture can’t get out of the attic, it will try to penetrate the surrounding materials, leading to mold and additional damage. 

The easiest way to solve this problem is to get someone in to survey the roof and see whether the problem you have with condensation is indeed the absence of ventilation. If it is, you can put new ventilation in the walls or even use dehumidifying systems to resolve the issue. 

Animal Damage

Animal damage is another problem roofs can face. Squirrels and raccoons can actually chew on various roof features, causing damage over time that’s not related to the weather. 

There isn’t much you can do about this problem other than keep an eye out for it. Some owners try to deter animals with barriers but these aren’t always effective.

Clogged Gutters

Finally, clogged gutters can undermine the purpose of your roof and cause water to cascade down your walls, causing damage. 

Fortunately, solving this problem simply requires cleaning them out, either by hand or with a purpose-built vacuum.

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1. Get Flood Smart

If you live in an area where even the ducks start investing in life jackets, consider flood-proofing your home because although there are experts who can help you, flood clean up is no picnic. Start with the basics: elevate your utilities, install flood vents, and make sure your sump pump is as reliable as your favorite superhero (and just as powerful). Consider landscaping that directs water away from your home, like a gently sloping yard, which can also double as a killer sledding hill in the winter. 

2. Shake, Rattle, and Roll with Earthquake Readiness

Earthquakes don’t mess around, and neither should you. Secure heavy furniture and appliances to the walls—think bookshelves, fridges, and that giant TV. Flexible connections for gas and water can prevent leaks after a shake-up. And remember, during an earthquake, doorframes are your friend. Well, unless it’s a particularly nasty quake, then you might want to buddy up with the underside of a sturdy table.

3. Batten Down for Hurricanes

When the wind howls louder than a teen at a boy band concert, it’s time to batten down the hatches. Hurricane-proof your house by installing storm shutters and ensuring your roof and garage door can withstand high winds. It’s like putting a windbreaker on your house—functional, potentially stylish, and very necessary. And if local authorities say it’s time to evacuate, don’t be the hero—grab your emergency kit and follow their advice. Your house can wear its windbreaker without you.

4. Fireproofing for the Fiery Tempered

Wildfires are nature’s way of saying, “I’m still the boss.” To keep the flames at bay, create a defensible space around your home. This means clearing away dead plants, grass, and debris that could fuel a fire. Choose fire-resistant plants and materials whenever possible. It’s like telling a fire, “Not today, buddy.”

5. Tornado Alley Tactics

If tornadoes are a regular part of your seasonal playlist, a storm shelter or a safe room is a brilliant investment. Reinforce this safe haven with steel doors and concrete walls. It’s the VIP lounge of your home when the weather decides to crank it up to eleven.

6. Tech to the Rescue

Embrace technology with home improvements like smart water leak detectors, which can warn you of leaks before they turn into floods. Automatic shutoff valves are also a brilliant add-on to prevent water damage. Because nothing’s worse than coming home to an indoor swimming pool you didn’t want.

7. Insurance Assurance

Lastly, ensure your insurance is as robust as your disaster-prep strategies. Regularly review your coverage to make sure it’s up to snuff because sometimes the real disaster is finding out you’re not covered for that tree through your roof.

Protecting your home from natural disasters will give you a fighting chance of keeping your home safe and intact, so why wouldn’t you?

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Memory

KEEPING MEMORIES ALIVE: HOW TO PRESERVE FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

To make sure family heirlooms are loved, respected and treasured for years to come, take the time to write out an explanation for the item. If the article is your great, great grandfather’s pocket watch that he received from his employer on his wedding day in Ireland, write that down. If you don’t and the story isn’t remembered, that watch just becomes an antique with no meaning.

Just take a note card and answer these 6 simple questions:

1. Who?
2. What?
3. When?
4. Where?
5. Why?
6. How?

If there is some emotional connection to the heirloom like a story, include that as well. If the family sewing machine traveled across the United States in the back of a wagon during the California Gold Rush, write it down. Any item that has been passed down from one generation to the next has stories to tell and it is up to you to preserve those as well.

Temperature

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Fluctuating temperature is a large factor for destroying family heirlooms. Old articles can’t handle incredibly hot or cold temperatures. For this reason, you should try and store your antiques in places that stay around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid storing your old items in the attic, basement, barn, shed or even near windows or heating vents.

Humidity

Basic Tips for Storing Family Heirlooms

Humidity can murder antiques, especially if it is furniture. If you bring an old piano or rocking chair from the dry desert of New Mexico over to the incredibly humid climate of Louisiana, you’re likely to have the wood split as it tries to pull in all of the moisture. Try to keep your antiques in relatively dry areas so they don’t begin to accumulate mold, but remember that too dry can also lead to things drying out and splitting. Keep heirlooms in an environment that they are used to being in and avoid intense humidity or dryness.

Light

Preserve and Protect Family Heirlooms & Treasures

Ultraviolet light can be dangerous for your antiques because it breaks down the chemicals in the pigmentation of photographs, papers, plastics, and other valuables. If you have old pictures that have begun to fade they might have fallen victim to this decay. Just keep in mind that less light is typically better for preserving your family heirlooms.

Dust

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Not only is dust bothersome, but it can also be detrimental to your family heirlooms. Dust can be wiped away relatively easily, but if it is left to sit for too long it can trap in moisture, causing mold to grow. It can also invite bugs to make homes in old books or wood, and it can weaken materials. Just make sure to be diligent in your dust removal.

If you are especially worried about keeping a family heirloom in good condition you can visit a specialist to help you in the care of your article. Most jewelers should be able to help you with watches and jewelry. Visit your local library or college for help in preserving books and documents. Good luck with keeping your families’ memories alive and preserved.

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