(Newswire.net — August 28, 2013) Vancouver, BC — When it comes to the roof we should all have a maintenance schedule to look at twice a year. Spring and fall is the best time to clean gutters, and while you are up on the ladder take a look at the roof. There is a wide variety of roofing material, but no matter the type on your home a close up look will reveal any obvious problems. Roof shingles rot over time and are easy to spot up close. They start to warp and shed granules, or you will see nails working their way out. Other signs of weathering will be obvious around vents, chimney, skylights and other roof installations.
Gutters Get Plugged
Gutters tend to fill up with tree droppings in wooded areas and debris in windy regions. No matter what is filling the gutters, once they are plugged the water starts spilling over the edge and collects around your home. When water builds up around the foundation, pressure from the weight of that water will begin to crack foundation walls and cause leaks.
Wet Basement Problems
Once foundation walls crack water will find its way in. A wet basement causes no end of trouble destroying floor, walls, furniture and if left unchecked can eventually cause toxic mold to form. This leads to what is termed as “sick building syndrome” and can lead to illness, allergies and related health problems.
Prevention VS Repairs
So many homeowners could avoid needless bills by taking simple precautions and setting up a maintenance schedule. We suggest making a list of things around the home that have moving parts, that are exposed to the elements or use filters. One of the biggest reasons plumbers and roofers exist is because of neglect. Think about that for a moment and realize how much money you could save by spending 10 or 12 hours each year replacing the furnace filter, cleaning the dryer vents, and of course cleaning your Vancouver gutters twice a year. # # #