How To Reduce The Risk Of Fire Damage

The roof is a critical part of your house as it protects you and your family from all the natural elements; a damaged roof can barely fulfill this purpose.  The risk of fire damage to the roof is one of the most costly and emotionally devastating disasters one can experience. Fire not only damages your property but can cause loss of lives. Therefore, all property owners need to take effective steps to reduce the risk of fire damage.

Here we have compiled some of the effective ways to reduce the risk of fire damage to your roof

Use fire-resistant roofing materials

By using fire-resistant materials you can protect your roof from fire damage. Some of the common materials include clay, metal, and asphalt shingles. It is always better to consult your roofing contractor who can advise you on the best relevant materials to be used. Fire-resistant materials may cost a bit more but it’s worth an investment. Fire-resistant roofing materials are classified in categories- Class A, B, and C respectively according to their resistant capacity. There are also unrated materials, however, they are least resistant to fire.

Get your electrical wiring inspected

An issue with home’s electrical firing is one of the major causes of roof or attic fires. If you have an old property or you suspect faulty wiring then it is highly recommended to get electrical wiring inspected by a professional. Make a note if there are flickering bulbs, light fixtures that fail to turn on as this could be due to burned wires in the attic. Roof leaks can also cause an electrical malfunction in the attic.

Plug the gaps on the roof

Even if you have fire-resistant roofing material but your roof can still catch fire if there are sections of roof that are damaged. For instance, damaged flashings or missing shingles may allow the fire to spread in unprotected inner structure of the roofing system. Any gap on the roof which allows water leaks can also allow the fire to root and spread.

Clean your roof regularly

Debris on the roof not only makes it untidy but can also be dangerous in the event of a fire. If the debris continues to burn for a long period than the heat could overcome the resistance of the roofing material and eventually burn it. Therefore, make sure that you clean your roof regularly especially when there is a change of season.

Keep the chimney clean

It is important to keep the chimney clean if you don’t want the roof to burn down. When you light the chimney, the soot and the partially combusted material form part of the debris. The organic debris and these products of partial combustion together may ignite and send the spark up to the roof.

Install smoke detectors

A smoke detector is one of the most important lines of defense for your property. It is essential to detect smoke in the early stages to allow for timely action to prevent any further damage to the property.

To learn more about how to reduce the risk of fire damage to your roof contact experts from Allegiant Roofing today!