A roofing fire won't just damage the roof — it can bring down the whole house. Some roofs catch fire more easily than others do. If you are worried about fire outbreaks, say your area experiences frequent wildfires, then you should make your roof as fire-resistant as possible. Below are some tips to help you prevent roof fires.
Use Fire-Resistant Materials
The first tip is to use fire-resistant materials for your roof. Such materials don't catch fire as easily as other materials. Look for class A-rated materials if you want the highest fire-resistant possible. The downside of this tip is that it is only useful during roofing installation or replacement — it won't help with an existing roof.
Maintain Electrical System
Many houses have electrical wiring behind the ceiling. These electrical systems can trigger electrical fire under the roof. For example, rodents can chew on electrical insulation and allow contact between different wires. That can trigger sparks or arcs that can trigger electrical fires. Inspect and maintain electrical wiring to prevent such incidents.
Prevent Roof Leaks
Leaks can trigger a fire in two main ways. First, the leaks can allow water penetration into the attic. The water can cause electrical fires if it contacts attic electrical wiring. Secondly, the same holes or cracks that allow leakages can allow embers of fire into the roof if there is a nearby fire (such as wildfire). Repair roof damages or leaks as soon as they occur to avoid such disasters.
Trim Nearby Trees
Many roofs don't catch fire easily, but they will do so if constantly exposed to flames, embers, or high temperatures. Tall trees around the house can easily ignite the roof during a fire outbreak. The bushier the trees are, the riskier they are in terms of fire. Leave a defensive space between the house and the first line of trees, if possible. Otherwise, trim the trees so that their branches don't brush on the roof.
Clean the Chimney
A dirty chimney is a recipe for disaster. Flammable materials build up in the chimney whenever you light up the chimney fire. After some time, the accumulation of combustibles risks ignition by sparks or embers from the chimney fire. Regularly cleaning the chimney should keep the accumulation of combustibles minimal and reduce the fire risk.
The above tips should help you avoid roofing fires. Consult a roofing contractor in case fire does damage your home. The contractor will fix the damage and put measures in place to reduce the risk of future fires.
For more information, reach out to a roofing contractor in your area.
