Rental Property Roof Maintenance Tips for Landlords

The roofs of our homes are our first defense against adverse weather conditions. They help keep us sheltered from elements such as extreme wind, rain and snow. However, it is pretty easy to forget about their upkeep until there is a problem.

By then, the problem will have caused serious damage; not only to the roof itself but also to the interior of your home. Some of these issues can include:

• Increased repair costs. The longer you prolong making the repairs, the more serious the problem will become and the more expensive it will be to fix.
• Infestation by animals and pests. If the damage to your roofing system is bad enough and the holes are large enough, your home could become infested with small animals, such as rodents and racoons.
• Growth of mold. A wet roof layer, wet insulation and clogged gutters can all provide perfect conditions for mold to grow. Mold is not only expensive to fix, but it can also cause a number of health implications to you and your family.
• Increased energy bills. The same holes that allow water to leak through will also leak out hot air during winter and cold air during summer.
• This is probably the most common effect of neglecting roof maintenance. When your roof begins to leak, it can cause immense damage to your house and belongings.

What’s more, a damaged roof can also take a toll on the value of your property. The exact amount will, of course, depend on the extent of the damage.

With that in mind, let’s now look at 6 rental property roof maintenance tips for landlords with a little help from OmniKey Realty Texas.

Tip #1: Inspect your roof on a regular basis.

Regularly checking your roof will enable you to catch problems early before they become serious and costly to fix. Most experts agree that this should be done at least two times every year. During the inspection process, make sure to check:

• The roof shingles – are any missing?
• The flashing – does it look like it has buckled?
• Roof gutters – do they look like they are sagging or broken?
• Shingle granules – are these showing up in your gutters?
• Moss, Algae and lichens – can you spot these growths on the shaded parts of your roof?

If you spot any of these issues, get in touch with a roofing expert immediately.

Tip #2: Clear the gutters of any debris.

Your gutters are just as crucial as your roof. Gutters help direct rainwater away from your house. If your gutters are damaged, then a number of issues can occur.

For one, over time, they can lead to foundation issues. Your foundation may crack, sink, become uneven or heave upwards. Plus, fixing any of these issues will cost you an arm and a leg.

Besides foundation damage, other issues that can arise from damaged gutters include siding and landscape damage.

Luckily, maintaining the gutters of a roof is fairly simple. You will just need a sturdy ladder and a scoop. With these, all you will need to do is climb up the ladder and shovel out leaves, dirt and other debris off the gutter.

While it may seem simple, you must make sure to do it as carefully as you can.

Tip #3: Look for any moss, algae or lichens.

Plant growths on your roof can seriously damage your roof’s structural integrity. What’s even worse is that they create perfect conditions for mold to grow. When mold grows, there is the potential for it to spread to other areas of your home.

As these usually don’t grow in areas that receive sunlight, make sure to look in areas that are shaded.

Tip #4: Trim any overgrown tree leaves.

As much as we love our trees, they can sometimes pose a danger to our homes. Not only do they put you and your family at risk of getting knocked down by fallen limbs, but overgrown branches can also damage roof shingles. As well, leaves from trees can cause an uneven distribution of pressure on your roof’s beams, which can weaken them.

Tip #5: Clear snow from your roof.

Too much snow on your roof can cause structural damage. Moreover, the ice dams formed when snow melts on the warmer, upper part of the roof can put excess weight on it.

Use a snow flake to clear any snow that has built up on your roof. Do it carefully, lest you risk damaging your roof. You may also consider hiring a professional.

Tip #6: Re-caulk the flashing.

Do you see any cracks on the flashing installed on the vents, skylights, valleys or chimney? If you do, re-caulking may be necessary. Flashing helps prevent water from seeping into the roofing materials.

Maintaining the roof should be part of your regular property maintenance checklist. Regularly inspecting your roof for damage can help in avoiding potentially costly issues down the road.