Roof solutions for your home

Home renovations often focus on the interior of the building, but attention must also be paid to its exterior. If you've got beautifully painted walls and fresh carpet but your roof is looking a little worse for wear, it may be time to consider updating this vital part of your home.

Paint

DIY painting is one of the most effective ways to update your roof and have it looking as good as new. For especially tall buildings, you may want to consider hiring access equipment like a scissor lift to help safely and easily transport your tools and yourself to the areas that need painting.

This reduces the risks associated with ladder use, as scissor lifts have a safety cage where workers are contained to prevent toppling over. You can also keep paint brushes and pails here so all tools and products are within easy reach.

When it comes to painting roofs, you'll need to consider the material it's made out of and its finish. The age and condition also come into play, as these will determine the level of priming the roof requires.

Some paints on the market have new technology to help regulate household temperature, allowing homes to stay cooler under the harsh summer sun.

Insulation

While you're focusing on your roof, consider the impact ceiling insulation can have on the heat of your home and also your power bill.

Insulation in the ceiling is usually the easiest, least expensive and most effective insulation to have in the home. Since hot air rises, ceiling insulation can prevent warmth escaping in winter while providing a seal to prevent hot air getting in during summer.

Gutters

Not only do old, damaged gutters ruin the look of your house, but they can also spill water when it rains. You can replace both your spouting and your downpipes yourself, and this can be made easier by using the scissor lift mentioned previously.

It's good practice to keep gutters free from dirt, leaves and rubbish to prevent them getting clogged up and spilling water. Water should run freely down gutters and through downpipes. If it runs slowly or becomes blocked up, it's likely you have a clogged gutter or downpipe, but this can be easily cleared.