We've waited so long to enjoy  the sun; to sit on the deck while the barbeque sizzles and sip our cold drinks. The last thing we want to consider is the damage it is inflicting on our properties. Inflicting right now, as we sit relaxing...

Wooden decks, roofs and even interiors can really take a beating each year, simply by being exposed to the sun. For those of us who live in permanently sunny areas, the damage can be inflicted quickly and it is a known fast that roofs do not last as long in desert areas.

What of other areas? We know how to protect the exterior, but in order to  apply  stain and paint but we have to wait, because it is too damp and then suddenly the sun is here - and its hot! We are getting sunburn trying to stop our homes from getting sun burn!

The good news is that some protection is more thorough than others, and if this is applied at least your labor will be paid off. Some of the well recommended stains are Cabot's, Total Wood Protection (with UV protection), and Penofin.

Also beneficial is a yearly check on your roof and  woodwork. The woodwork inspection, you can probably carry out yourself, but often the roof inspection often gets a quick upward glance and that's it.

Tiled roofs that need attention can often be spotted by close observation. Get up on the roof and look carefully for tiles with corners lifted, tiles slightly askew, curling edges or ones with a tear. If you see substantial damage, it is best to call in a roofing contractor.

Home repairs are only recommended for minor problems. Check that the roofing felt underneath is not cracked or damaged, if it is, you will need to repair this, usually by re-tarring it, before replacing the tile.

It is fairly easy to buy a packet of roof tiles at the hardware store and replace a damaged tile. Simply position it and nail it on by attaching the tile at each corner. It is recommended to 'waterproof ' the nail head by painting it with roof tar, or try the USA Topcoat designed for asphalt shingle roofs (a three  coat process).

It is more difficult with flat roofs covered in rolled asphalt. One easy way to check it is to have someone  'spotting' in your attic and get up on the roof with a flashlight. If there is a light showing through, there must be a crack in your roofing.

Another indicator is moisture on your one of your beams, not that this will necessarily tell you the whereabouts of a leak, as water runs along beams etc. You could follow the trail, and if you think you have found it then try the flashlight test.

There are many products on the market to patch up an asphalt roof, but obviously a roofing contractor is your best bet. However, if you are  toying with the idea of a new roof, and just want to stop the leaks for a while longer, then spot repairs may do the trick!

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