Proper Roof Maintenance for the Hands-Off Landlord

As a landlord, one of your primary responsibilities is to make sure that all of your tenants are safe and comfortable in their properties. Even if you are a hands-off landlord, you still want to make sure that you’re staying up to date with any issues that your tenants may be having and solve these problems as soon as possible to continue a peaceful relationship with those that rent from you.

One step you can always make is calling a roofing contractor to do a professional roof inspection at least once a year to give you and your residents peace of mind that everything is going smooth as can be with your roof.

But on top of this annual roofing inspection, here are a few other steps you can take to ensure that your roof is up to the task of protecting your occupants.

1. Check the Insulation

One of your roofing system’s essential functions is to keep the hot air in and cold air out of your property, and this is the responsibility of proper insulation.

A common cause for roof leaks is inadequate roof insulation, and these leaks can cause spikes in energy bills while also leading to moisture in your property’s roof. If there are constant complaints of higher than usual energy bills with no clear explanation, there might be a problem with the insulation.

2. Re-caulk the flashing, if necessary

The flashing creates a waterproof seal between where your roof and the walls of the house meet. This flashing helps guide the flow of water that is on your roof around openings. Without it, water can get into your property and cause significant structural damage.

And if you use low-grade caulking, it can crack and expose your tenants to the elements. One critical sign that your flashing might have an issue is large water spots on the ceiling inside the property, so if you see these, you’ll want to re-caulk and repair the flashing as soon as possible.

3. Check for moss and algae

This unsightly growth not only looks unappealing but can cause severe damage to the structural integrity of your roof. And unwanted plant growth also creates an excellent environment for mold to grow, which can spread to other areas of the property and cause even more headaches.

This problem is simple to solve if you can catch it quickly, usually not taking more than a scrubber and some water, so keep an eye on shaded areas to tackle this issue before it causes real difficulties to your property’s roof.

4. Trim your Trees

Those branches hanging over your roof are a major mess just waiting for that gust of wind or heavy snowfall. The critical problem that comes along with these overhanging branches is them crashing into your roof, creating a hole, and leaving your tenants exposed to the elements, most likely during a storm.

While that is the most observable problem that can come with those overhanging branches, you should also be aware of plenty of less obvious ones.

Overgrown branches can damage shingles and enable the growth of moss, making it easier for animals to enter. The leaves from trees can cause an uneven distribution of pressure on your roof’s beams and clog your gutters, as well.

5. Clean the gutters

The gutters provide a vital role in maintaining your home, giving excess water and melting snow a path off the roof and away from the foundation. Suppose debris and other bacteria block this path.

In that case, the water has no place to go, and you will eventually have damage to not only your roof but your landscape, your siding, and your foundation, which can end up being very financially detrimental.

6. Remove excess snow

As the seasons begin to change and those colorful leaves begin to fall to the ground, your roof is entering its busy season. Winter can provide the harshest environment for your roof, throwing high-speed winds and heavy snowfall at it for months at a time.

One of the biggest challenges your rental property’s roof will face is the weight of the excess snow. The extra pressure can cause it to collapse if not dealt with in a timely matter, so you’ll want to make sure you keep an eye on the accumulation and remove this extra weight whenever possible.

7. Make all necessary repairs

The best time to get all your roofing repairs done is right when you see them. A minor issue can turn into a major hassle and financial nightmare if left unattended. And you don’t want to be wishing you did those small repairs as you watch a storm roll through, ready to wreak its havoc.

As long as you’re performing all of these steps at least once a year while also staying vigilant on any issues your properties’ roofs may be having, you should be all set to be as hands-off a landlord as can be.

And if you want to be even more hands-off, booking an inspection with a professional roofing company can help your roof stay up to date safely and effectively. 

You and your tenants will have the peace of mind that the roof is ready to protect no matter what’s thrown at it, and your residents will be extra confident that you are providing them with a safe place to live when they see you doing these roof maintenance steps.

Posted on 11/18/2020 in Uncategorized