Roof Maintenance Tips For HMO Landlords
The roof is one of those parts of the house that can frighten its owners just by saying its name. Understandable, given how important our roofs are…and how expensive they are to repair! You’d think that every Kent landlord would be knowledgeable about roof maintenance, wouldn’t you?
Unfortunately, despite knowing that prevention is preferable to cure, our roofs are frequently neglected. Who knows if it’s a case of out-of-sight-out-of-mind or simply putting off the inevitable expense.
Whatever the reason, leaving the uppermost part of our property unattended is a costly mistake. Keeping this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of roof maintenance tips for landlords in Kent to help keep your roof in good condition. But, before we get there, consider the following…
Check frequently and act quickly
The best way to avoid a large problem is to catch it early. Regular roof inspections will alert you to any minor issues that may be developing, so it’s a worthwhile task.
How often should you inspect your roof? Twice a year is ideal, with the best times being before and after winter. Checking the roof in the autumn and spring will allow you to get things in order before the bad weather arrives, and then you can see if the colder months have wreaked havoc on your roof.
In terms of what you should look for on the outside, look for the following:
- Tiles or slates that are missing or broken
- Guttering that is broken or misaligned
- The flashing around the chimney and/or dormer windows is still flush.
- Algae or moss growth
From the inside, you should also look for the following:
- Water stains on wood or insulation
- Sunlight filtering through
- Any evidence of decay or mould
- Damage or sagging that can be seen
If you come across anything suspicious, don’t waste time. Remember that the purpose of performing regular inspections is to detect problems as early as possible, so get things fixed as soon as possible.
5 Roof maintenance tips for landlords
If you want to be proactive and keep your roof in the best possible condition all year, consider the following suggestions:
Clear out your gutters
Keeping your gutters clear will allow them to do their job of removing water from your property as quickly as possible. Gutters can become clogged very quickly, especially during the autumn months, so check them at least once every six months.
Remove any debris
This is primarily for those who have flat roofs on a portion of their property, but it can also apply to pitched roofs. If you allow debris to accumulate in your gutters, it will also find a home on your roof.
A debris buildup is both unsightly and potentially dangerous to your roof. Even something as innocuous as a small pile of leaves can cause major issues if left unattended, so have them removed.
Trim those trees
Speaking of leaves, allowing them to get too close to your roof can cause a slew of issues. During high winds and storms, they will not only drop their leaves directly onto your roof and into the guttering, but they may also damage the roof itself.
Branches and limbs from nearby trees may become dislodged from the main body of the tree or simply lift a tile from its fixings, so keep any nearby trees well back from your property.
Don’t let moss be the boss
Although a small amount of moss may appear to be harmless, it can cause major problems…both for your roof and your wallet. Large moss patches can hold a surprising amount of water, which is never a good thing.
If left to its own devices, said water will rot roofing materials and can even cause tiles to crack or become dislodged, especially when the temperature drops and the water freezes and then thaws. To sum up, if you notice moss or algae on your roof, get rid of it!
Insulation and ventilation
Bringing things inside for a moment, it’s always a good idea to inspect the underside of your roof whenever possible. Look around your attic or loft for obvious signs of penetration, such as water marks, mould forming, or visible cracks where sunlight is peeking through.
While insulation is commonly thought of as a way to keep hot air in and cold air out by forming a thermal barrier, it also serves another purpose: it protects your roof. The same is true for ventilation.
For example, if your insulation is inadequate, it may result in ice dams forming on your roof during heavy snowfall. This is due to heat escaping from your home through the roof causing the snow on your roof to melt and then refreeze abnormally quickly.
Similarly, adequate ventilation will help regulate roof temperatures and reduce condensation, which is a major contributor to the reduction in the life expectancy of roofing materials. It can also render expensive insulation ineffective if left unattended for extended periods of time, so the two go hand in hand.
CAUTION: Many of the above suggestions require access to the roof to be carried out. While it may be tempting to do it yourself, working on the roof of any property is a job for professionals who have the proper safety equipment. Please do not attempt to perform maintenance on your own. Make no excuses: if you aren’t a roofer, hire one.
Make roof maintenance a priority
To reiterate a point made throughout this post, avoiding hefty roofing bills is the goal here. You should be able to do so by following the roof maintenance tips listed above and performing regular checks.
Even if you have to pay a roofer to come out and fix a few tiles here and there, doing so early will help prevent major problems and keep your outgoings to a minimum, which is good news for both Landlords in Kent
If you want to go all-out, consider the following…
Set up a sinking fund (or similar)
While this may appear to be unnecessary for freehold homeowners, it can be just as beneficial to them as it is to leaseholders and their landlords. Creating a sinking fund, whether personal or more traditionally business-oriented, will cushion the blow if the worst happens.
Since it can be time-consuming and stressful to carry out these checks frequently, especially if you have a large property portfolio, it makes sense to rely on a trusted HMO property management company like Rooms in Kent.
Our expert team will handle all aspects of HMO property management on your behalf to maximise your investment.
Contact us today on 01233 367 367 or at lettings@roomsinkent.co.uk find out how we can help.
