Your roof provides a number of benefits which you may often take for granted. Even if you have it regularly maintained and cared for, it’s still vulnerable to unexpected weather and fire hazards. While these may seem unavoidable, there are several ways to ensure they won’t compromise your safety and damage your home. Here’s what our roofing replacement team at Window World of Boston recommends:

Check your existing insulation. Normally, you have insulation installed within the walls, ceilings, and especially the attic. Insulation isn’t a direct cause of fire; rather, fires tend to start when poor wiring within the insulation shorts out. To protect your insulation as well as your roofing system, have it inspected by a professional contractor who can properly install your roof’s insulation. They’ll also check other areas of your home to determine if you have adequate insulation installed.

Clean your roof and surroundings regularly. If you always have leaves, twigs, plastic, grass and similar debris lying on your roof and don’t clean them off, these will not only affect its effectiveness against the weather elements, they could also be fuel for a fire. Firewood that’s stored near or under your deck for barbecues and outdoor gatherings could quickly go up in flames should an accidental spark hit it. You may be fine even if you don’t immediately notice a fire on your roof if you installed fire-proof materials, but it’s best to avoid the risk altogether by clearing off your roof regularly. 

You can also hire a trusted roofing contractor to clear the roof for you. Not only will they do a more thorough job of clearing off the debris, they can also unclog your gutters while they’re at it. They can trim any overhanging branches to prevent leaves and twigs from falling on your roof, as well. As for firewood and other items, make sure they’re properly stored away from your home when not being used.

Have your wiring and electrical systems checked. Faulty electrical wiring is a fire waiting to happen. It’s one of the leading causes of roof fires, which can occur frequently during seasons where there’s an increased demand for electrical equipment to keep indoor temperatures within comfortable levels. There’s always a chance that part of your electrical system will have faulty wiring, which can ignite and potentially cause a fire in your home.

As an experienced, reputable roofing company, we’re well aware of the dangers that come with poor electrical systems. Exposure to certain elements such as water and moisture can cause serious damage to the electrical components. They can also potentially cause sparks that will ignite any surrounding materials and start a fire. 

Your roofing system will normally have conduit pipes, electrical installations or some other type of wiring running within the insulation in the attic, so it pays to have these systems thoroughly checked by a professional. They’ll have the knowledge and means to properly address any problems that may be found. This is especially important if you think that you’ll use your air conditioning system more often during the summer or your heat pump during the winter months. 

Have your chimneys cleaned regularly. If you have a fireplace that you use often during late fall and winter, it’s a good idea to have it cleaned before these seasons arrive. When you use your fireplace, the combusted materials that make up the debris and soot go up the chimney, forming creosote. This is a layer of dark brown or black tar that can catch fire when ignited. To prevent creosote from accumulating in your chimney, it’s important to have it cleaned at least once a year before you use it.

Don’t ignore damaged and exposed sections of your roof. Even with fireproof materials, your roof’s protection against fire hazards isn’t always effective in certain areas that are exposed to natural elements. Loose, damaged or missing shingles or flashing aren’t just weak points through which water can penetrate: they’re also potential fire hazards that can endanger your roofing system. It won’t be hard for a fire to get into these weak points and spread faster as it burns through the inner layers and the rest of the structure, which can lead to a collapse.

Any type of damage found should be addressed properly by a professional roofing contractor. They’ll do a routine but thorough inspection, repair any damage they may find and even provide suggestions on how future problems can be prevented to keep your roof intact!

Use fire-resistant roofing materials. If you think a full replacement is more cost-effective than frequent repairs, we strongly recommend that you install roofing material that has a high fire rating. Knowing the roof fire ratings will help you distinguish which level of safety and fire resistance your home needs to protect you, your family and your belongings. Class A offers the best fire resistance and is usually worth the investment. Class B roofs tend to be slightly cheaper but still offer good fire resistance. Class C roofs are the cheapest but offer the least amount of fire resistance out of the three, and sometimes aren’t even allowed by certain building codes. 

Class A roof replacement materials are often recommended by professional contractors simply because they offer the best value and protection. Some of our best roofing products are made by Owens Corning®, which has been a pioneer in roofing for over 80 years. As a trusted name in the roofing industry, we’re qualified to install their best products, including TruDefinition® Duration® Shingles as well as Berkshire® Shingles. If you want to know more about their benefits, call us today and let’s talk about your roofing project! 

Have it maintained by a trusted professional. Keep in mind that your roofing system does more than just boost your home’s visual appeal: it also plays a vital role in keeping your home protected from fire and other natural elements. However, regular maintenance is recommended to keep fire risks low while staying in top condition throughout its expected lifespan. As part of the warranty, most systems require maintenance by a trusted contractor who can check and address any issues or problems that may potentially damage or endanger your roof. 

As a locally-trusted roofing company, you can count on Window World of Boston to get the job done right. Call us at (781) 262-3925 if you’re from Woburn, (781) 343-7129 if you’re in Pembroke, or (508) 845-6676 if you live in Shrewsbury. You can also fill out our convenient online form!