Roof fires are no joke. Maintaining your roof is one of the surest ways to ensure that it stands the test of time. As such, many property owners usually ensure that they protect their roofs from anything that could cause a leak. That includes carrying out regular roof inspections, checking the attic, maintaining the gutter system, and lots more. But, unfortunately, many of them fail to check out for common fire hazards that could quickly ravage their roofs.
Roof fires cause way more damage to a property than leaks do. Eventually, homeowners realize that repairing roof fire damage costs more than fixing a leaking roof. Roofs are highly susceptible to fires, and many house fires start on the rooftop. As such, preventing your roof from catching fire significantly reduces your risk of house fires.
The key to preventing roof fires is understanding what causes them. That way, you can reduce your risk of roof fires by tackling those factors. Consulting with experienced Greenville roofing contractors will also help you with a personalized plan for avoiding fire outbreaks.
The following are the most common causes of roof fires:
One of the most common reasons why houses catch fire is an electrical malfunction due to faulty wiring. Usually, roof space is full of different electrical installations and wiring because it helps keep them hidden. An electric malfunction from faulty wiring or burned wires can easily trigger fire in the attic.
The quality and type of roofing material you use can significantly affect your roof’s susceptibility to a fire outbreak. Roof materials can be prone to fires depending on their ratings. Generally, there are three categories of fire ratings when it comes to roof materials. They are Class A, B, and C. Class A roof materials are the most fire-resistant while class C is the least fire-resistant.
There are also unrated roof materials that offer zero to no protection from fire whatsoever. So if you use these non-fire-resistant materials for your roof, even a lightning strike can easily lead to roof fires.
Dirty chimneys can increase your roof’s susceptibility to fire. That’s because when you use a chimney, it lets out some burned materials that form debris at the chimney top. These materials can catch a fire that spreads and worsens on your roof.
Many homeowners try to avoid leaking roofs by all means because they know how much it lessens roof durability. However, that’s not the only reason to prevent roof leaks. A leaking roof also increases your risk of having a roof fire.
When your roof leaks, water drops into your attic. The droplets can trickle into electrical appliances and cause electrical malfunctions. As mentioned earlier, such malfunctioning can cause a bad fire outbreak.
There are many benefits to having attic insulation. It helps you save energy bills, controls room temperature, controls air leakage, and lots more. However, having improperly installed attic insulation can produce more damaging effects than you realize. For one, it can cause a fire, especially when it’s too close to a heat source.
If you want to reduce the risk of fire damage to your roof, you can start by doing the following:
Class A roofing materials give the most protection against fire. Therefore, ensuring that you use such materials for your roof significantly reduces it’s risk of fire damage.
Since water from leaking roofs can damage electrical systems in the attic, you must avoid leaks as much as possible. Schedule regular roof inspections and repair holes and gaps immediately after you notice them. An expert Greenville roofer can help with your roof inspection.
Clean your chimneys to avoid accumulating combustible debris at the top. Also, ensure that your roof is always dirt-free.
Monitor electrical insulations to ensure that they’re well done. Also, inspect them regularly and check for faults. If you notice any malfunctioning, have them fixed immediately.
Merely knowing how to prevent a roof fire is good, but not enough. You must take active steps to avoid such ugly occurrences through proper maintenance cultures. You can only achieve that when you contact us at Lanier Roofing Services.
Our Greenville roofing experts are the most dedicated and competent workmen you can find anywhere. Apart from maintaining your roof, we’d also give you top-notch, personalized advice on what’s best for your roof. Contact us for all your roofing needs immediately.
* Subject to approved credit through Foundation Finance Company LLC and business acceptance. Terms and conditions may vary. Contact business prior to applying to discuss available offers. Business will provide terms and disclosures upon credit approval.
