Roof Rot

A common problem is caused by leaves from trees that pile up on the roof, turn to compost and rot out the wood shingles and roof framing iand spreading under composition shingles and rotting the plywood sheathing underneath.

Remedy: Rake off leaves each fall.

Gutters

 Another common problem is leaves , bird nests and other debris filling up the rain gutters causing them to overflow and rust out before their time.

Remedy: use a plastic scoop to clean out the gutters each fall. You can also install screens over gutters to keep them clean. For rusty gutters, wire brush and scrape out the loose rust and swab the inside of the rusty gutter with phosphoric acid and let it sit for a few hours. Then brush some tar, asphault roof emultion or other thick weatherproof coating on the inside of the gutter. This will stop the rust damage and extend the life of the gutter dramatically. 

Shingles

These must be replaced every 15-25 years depending on the shingle type and quality. Wood shingles should be oiled every 4 to 5 years with shingle oil to extend their life and durability.

Roof Tiles

The most common problem with roof tiles is that someone goes up on the roof to adjust a TV antenna, fetch a kite or some other thing and usually cracks or breaks every other tile they step on. This is 100% guaranteed if the person weighs over 150 pounds. The roof will start leaking and your troubles (and bills) have just begun.

Remedy: If you must go up on the roof, put on a pair of foam cushion knee pads and gently crawl on your hands and knees to evenly distribute your weight. If you have cracked tiles you can place fiberglass tape on the crack and then apply some latex roof emulsion with a brush over the tape. This will hold the two pieces together as well as preventing water from going down the crack. If the tiles are completely broken and/or some pieces lost, they must be removed and replaced with new ones.

Sewer Vent Pipes

Often are improperly wrapped with sealer tape or not sealed at all. This lets rain water leak down the side of the vent pipe into the walls causing mildew, wood rot and water damage.

Remedy: Wrap all vent pipe/roof jack connections with 5 mil pipe wrap tape or fiberglass tape and coat with latex roof emulsion.

Appliances

Clothes Dryer

Clothes dryers have a duct which carries the hot moisture laden air out of the dryer to the outside of the house. The two most important concerns are keeping the lint screen and dryer duct clean and free of obstructions. A clogged screen and/or duct can extend drying time, increase energy use and cost, make the dryer work harder and potentially cause a fire.

Remedy: clean lint filter after each load and the dryer exhaust duct every year.

Clothes Washer

Does your washer take a long time to fill?

Remedy: disconnect the water hoses at the back of the machine and check the little stainless steel screens inside the couplings once a year. They are usually full of all kinds of mineral debris and gucky stuff.