John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”
Sometimes it’s easy to forget about the areas of your home you don’t see everyday, but that’s exactly when problems arise. Stay ahead of repairs by regularly inspecting them to avoid worse problems later.
It’s easy to neglect the roof and gutters on your rental property, but a little proactive, (read: PREVENTATIVE!!!), maintenance protects the value of your rental investment and avoids costly repairs and expenses that result from emergencies, (Did you ever wonder why limbs seem to have a preference for collapsing on roofs late on Saturday nights? Yeah? So do we…).
Maintenance Tips for Roof and Gutters
- Replace curling, buckling or cracking shingles
- Ensure no gaps in the flashing around skylights, vent pipes and chimneys
- Seal all seams and joints properly, and block small entry holes used by pests
- Ensure gutters are secured and sloped correctly for proper drainage to prevent standing water
- Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent leakage and back-up
- Clear debris from roofline valleys and other build-up areas
- Trim branches near or overhanging the roof on a sunny week day afternoon; rather that than cutting it off the roof at 2 AM on a rainy Saturday morning, (you’ll find that professional tree services prefer to work on weekdays too, their prices reflect the fact) – Added Benefit: This task is VERY high on the list of preventative measures advocated by rodent control vendors to prevent furry visitors in the attic, (rats, squirrels and raccoons)
Fall is a great time to inspect your roof and rain gutters on your rental property in preparation for the rainy season. Real Property Management SAC-METRO can assist you in evaluating your roof to avoid problems so that you aren’t left with a major repair in the spring.