10 roofing and exterior siding maintenance tips

A leaky gutter can cause water problems in the basement as well as soil erosion. Since most gutters are made of either vinyl or aluminum, even the smallest gaps are hard to bridge with silicone caulk or roofing tar.

Here's how to make a strong seal:

1. Measure and cut a square of fiberglass mesh that will drape down and cover the crack inside the gutter.

2. Spread wet/dry roofing cement on the inside of the gutter so that the mesh is embedded, with cement around its edges.

3. Press the mesh down to seal the crack. Leave to cure for a day.

4. Coat the mesh with roofing cement and smooth with a putty knife. Now you have a waterproof seal. When the cement is completely dry you can paint over it in the same colour as the guttering.

Strong winds can sometimes rip out asphalt shingles. Replace the missing shingle with one of the same colour or very similar. With a thin pry bar, poke up under the remaining part of the damaged shingle until you feel the nail and pry this up about an inch. Trim the tab of the new shingle to match the space and fit underneath to check for size. Trim more if needed. Spread roofing cement over the space and push the new shingle piece up underneath. Gently tap the top shingle down.

For detailed information on installation, read our article on how to install asphalt shingles. Do not hesitate to hire professionals if the task seems too complex.

With the right preparation before installation, pine or cedar clapboard siding can last a lifetime and more. Cedar does not have to be painted and can be left to weather to a silvery grey. However, pine should be painted to provide better protection from “wicking” – when rainwater finds its way up between the boards. Make sure that the rough side is facing outward, as this side will hold the paint better (whereas the smooth side will require repainting every few years).

Gutter downspouts are designed to move large volumes of water from the roof. But if there is no drainage system at the bottom, this water may run straight into the foundations and find its way into the basement.

Many home owners do not like fixed extensions on their gutters because these angled pieces make it hard to mow the lawn in that area.

There are now extension diverters which are activated by the weight of the water, rolling out with the water flow and back up again automatically when the water pressure stops. Alternatively, you can dig a trench around 30 cm (1 ft.) deep and lay a 10 cm (4 in.) pipe running away from the house. The downspout can be extended down to this pipe and attached with a 90° elbow. The pipe can end in a larger hole filled with gravel or run out to the curb.

Many roof chimney designs impede the natural flow of water when it rains. By building a tent-like structure called a “cricket” on the upward side, the water is able to run around either side of the chimney instead of pooling behind it. This is the same principle used by bridge builders to allow water to flow past the bridge pylons in a river.