When it comes to our home, there are loads of things that can go wrong. In fact, we end up having to spend a small fortune on repairs every year. But one place which often can be forgotten about is the roof. After all, we are unlikely to look up there when we are going about our daily life. But there could be problems developing which could soon end in costly repairs. Therefore, here are some things you can do to avoid a roof-ache!

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Keep an eye on your attic

For a lot of us, we tend to use our attic to store items that we can’t find homes for. In fact, it can end up being a haven of old toys, luggage, and Christmas haven. And it means we rarely go up into the attic. But to ensure you notice problems with your roof, you need to be ensuring you are checking in the attic. After all, there can be signs in the room which mean there is a problem with your roof. For one thing, if there is a lot of light coming into your attic, it could be a sign that you are missing shingles. And they will need to be replaced quickly before you end up with a leak in your home. Also, if you notice water spots on your attic walls, it’s a sign that there is a problem with your roof flashing. Therefore, keep an eye on this to ensure you notice a problem quickly.

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Watch out for shingles in your yard

You also need to be careful to watch out for shingles in your yard. After all, if there are loose shingles found in your back garden, it’s likely they have come off your roof. And if you do have missing shingles, your roof is unlikely to be protected from the natural elements. So if a storm hits, you could soon find a leak in your property. Therefore, as soon as you notice shingles, it’s a good idea to contact a roofing company. That way, they can go up onto the roof and see how many is missing. They can also help you to make the decision whether you need to replace the roof. In fact, a lot of roofing companies like Anderson Contractors will give you a free quote so you can decide whether it’s something you can afford to do. And remember most roofs only last on average 15 years. So it might be time to replace it if it’s older than that!

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Get an annual roof inspection

While you might forget to look at your roof, you can still keep on top of it if you get someone to come out to check it annually. After all, the roofer will check everything to make sure it’s all in top nick. And then will make any fixes that are needed to keep it in good condition. That way, you can stop any problems in their track before they get worse and cause you a small fortune. You can also schedule them to come every year so that even if you forget, you will get a reminder telling you to book it!

Remember to ensure you are covered by home insurance. That way, you can get the funds you need if something does go wrong with the roof!

Have you been feeling a little down in the dumps lately? Perhaps you are getting plenty of sleep, but you are still tired. Did you know that if we aren’t getting enough natural light, then we can become sick and depressed! This isn’t good news to anyone who works from home or in an office all day. So while we can’t do much about your office set up, we can give you some great ideas for increasing your natural light at home!

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A cool way to bring more light into the home is using solar tubes or tunnels.  These are tubes installed through the roof and directed into the darker rooms of your home. Such as bathrooms with no exterior wall. They are as efficient as windows, and in some cases even better and are perfect when natural light only comes in through an open door. It is possible that some of these tubes may need to be bent during installation which can reduce some of the light that is reflected in. However, it is still a better solution than using electric lighting. When the solar tube is short and straight the power of the natural light is intensified.  Solar lights don’t let you see outside, though, which might make them the last choice you want if you are trying to install better lighting. They are cheap though and more efficient than electric light.

Chatting to your local roofing specialist might help to understand how a solar tube works and there are lots of great companies out there who can help you get to grips with it, CLM Roofing could be a good source of information.

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The obvious way to bring more light in is to add more windows, and you have a variety of options to choose from. Installing new windows can be a very expensive move forward. However, a roof light is probably the cheapest way of achieving what you want.   You can easily install roof lights to improve the natural light within a dark space. Even on a dull, gray, damp day, the area is flooded with light, and your rooms will seem larger and happier. Of course, if you want to get dramatic then you could consider a glass roof, this is especially useful in the center of a home, although you will need to talk to a skilled architect to understand if it is possible. Sash windows are a great option, and you could even replace rear doors or part of a wall with patio doors. Bringing lots of natural light into your room and, when you need it, a good dose of fresh air!

Bringing more light into the home is imperative and you cannot underestimate how much of an impact light has on your health. If you really can’t find ways of bringing in the natural light then use a light lamp in your bedroom. You may find you feel better and sleep better too.

Let the light shine in!

We aim to ensure our home stays in good condition so that we don’t run into problems. After all, issues with your humble abode could end up costing you a small fortune. And could jeopardize your property sale in the future. But a lot of people focus on certain locations like the kitchen, and forget to look after areas which could cause you huge problems. Therefore, here are some areas you need to make sure you don’t forget to keep on top of in your home.

The loft

It’s easy to forget about the loft when you are in your home. After all, it’s not somewhere that you go into every day. In fact, some people admit to only going in their loft a handful of times during the year. But it’s so important you keep on top of taking care of your loft. For one thing, it needs a regular clean. After all, it’s so easy for dust to build up in the attic. And if left, it could cause things like pests to occur. And not only this, but you need to watch out for condensation in the loft. You need to deal with this quickly, so that you don’t end up with a damp problem in your home. And as well as this, you need to ensure there is proper insulation in the loft. That way, you can ensure the heat from your system stays in the home and keeps your family nice and warm!

The roof

Another place you might forget to keep on top of is your roof. After all, it’s not an area you might look at every day. But if you aren’t keeping on top of it, small problems might be getting a lot worse. And you could end up with issues like leaks in your home. Therefore, it’s so important to make sure you keep on top of the roof. Check out the shingles to make sure none are missing. And if you think there is a problem but don’t want to get on the roof yourself, you could consider getting a contractor to do it. After all, roofing companies similar to TexasStar Roofing will do a free roof inspection and will let you know if there are any issues. You can then get this sorted before it turns into a huge problem. And remember your roof will need to be replaced every 15 years. As we said before, if you leave it longer than this, it will cause issues with leaks inside your home, and you might not be covered by an insurance policy.

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Your bathroom

You might be surprised that a lot of people forget to keep on top of their bathroom. They focus on making sure other rooms like their kitchen and lounge are okay. But if you don’t keep on top of your bathroom, you could end up with plumbing issues before long. Therefore, make sure you unblock any drains in the bathroom before it becomes a major problem. And clean the bathroom regularly so that you don’t get issues such as condensation and mold in the room.

And remember to keep on top of your garden too, especially before the freezing weather arrives!

If you’re thinking about updating your home to enhance its look and value, one thing you don’t want to do is leave out the roof. While the average lifespan of an average-grade asphalt shingled roof is 15 to 18 years, with a higher grade lasting even longer, once your roof reaches the 15-year mark you begin to see wear and tear. This not only can cause harm to your home’s interior with leaks or unsightly water stains but it can also mean not being able to secure a homeowner’s insurance policy. Or, at the very least, you may have to take a state offered policy until you make the necessary repairs or replace the roof.

“I want to wait until the last possible moment to get the most out of my roof.”

Think of your roof as a protective cover. It’s the first point of contact protecting your home’s interior from sun, rain, wind, hail and snow. The type of roof you may require depends in large part on where you live and the elements you experience. This can include living in extreme climates that have higher temperatures, heavy rains or significant amounts of snow that can decrease the integrity of your roof.

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Also, any objects resting on its surface, like tree limbs and leaves, can shorten its lifespan. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced your roof, chances are good that there are probably already soft spots developing. Instead of waiting for an inside sprinkle of rain, it’s in your best interest to call a licensed contractor in the business, like the experts at ABC Roofing. They can schedule an appointment to come out and do a thorough check of your roof. You may need a few shingles replaced, or they may recommend a new roof.

How do you know it’s time to replace the roof?

Replacing your roof is costly. It’s an expense that no homeowner wants to take on without warrant. Luckily, there are several signs you can look for to help determine if it’s time to have your roof replaced. Shingles should lay flat in uniform rows. If your shingles are now turning either up or down, they are not going to perform at their best. Also, if you’ve noticed that several shingles are missing, the area now has exposure to the elements. Living in an area prone to steady wind gusts can cause your shingles to crack. Generally, one side of the roof, the side that receives the most punishment, would show visible signs of damage. A damp climate may produce moss or algae that sticks and eventually allows dampness to penetrate the surface. More obvious and severe conditions can include a sagging roof or the ability to see daylight when up in the attic.

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When thinking about remodeling your home, it’s easy to overlook the obvious, your roof. Most people want to gut a kitchen or bathroom or slap on a new coat of paint in a living room or bedroom. Remember, your roof is the only thing protecting that new renovation. And if it has damage, you could watch your home improvements go right out the door. Depending on the type of roof you have, it’s a good idea to have it checked periodically, especially after a significant weather event. If you are not comfortable climbing a ladder, you can call a professional and get a written assessment.