Croydon homeowners looking to freshen up their property may think a paint job is all that is needed, but they often overlook the roof above them. It’s important to remember that the two are equally important. A tired and leaking roof can ruin an exterior decorating job within one winter and when damp patches and stains appear, they will ruin the freshly painted render and fascias.
Before booking external painting work, spend 20 minutes doing a simple roof check from the ground. Look for tiles that are slipped, cracked, or moss build-up on the north facing slopes, and sagging around the gutter line. These issues need addressing first, as painters will be decorating around a problem rather than solving it.
Why the Order of Work Matters
The first areas to suffer on a neglected roof are the guttering and fascia boards. When an overflowing gutter pours rainwater on to walls, it can create ugly tide marks while also speeding up the deterioration of the masonry paint. Before your decorator arrives, spend the money to have the roofline cleared, have any necessary repairs done, and re-bed any loose tiles to protect your investment in fresh paintwork for years, not months.
Choosing Colours That Work With Your Roof
The color of your roof is more important for kerb appeal than most homeowners realise. Warm red or brown clay tiles go well with cream, off-white, and soft sage exterior paint colors. Meanwhile, grey slate roofs pair beautifully with cooler shades of blue and grey. To avoid an expensive repaint, it may be useful to take a photo of your roof and test some paint swatches against it.
A Simple Seasonal Routine
As a Croydon homeowner, we suggest forming a yearly schedule for the following tasks: inspect your roof at the beginning of the season, perform any necessary repairs, clear out your gutters, and once the tougher jobs are done, call in the decorators. This helps avoid having to put up scaffolding numerous times, and helps keep costs down overall.
If you’re thinking of making improvements to the exterior of your home this year, reach out, and we can discuss timing so that your roof and paintwork are done in the correct order for a long lasting finish.