Over the years there has been an increased rate of fire outbreak in the US and other parts of the world. Before, homeowners feared for their houses when it neared the month of July and relaxed after October, but now, fire ignition and spread begins before July and continues past October. Because of this, you have to take extra precautionary measures to protect your roof –which will, in turn, protect your home from fire outbreaks and their consequences. 

The tips listed below are from All Seasons Roofer and it’s a combination of directives given by different fire departments in the world and tested and trusted common DIY steps that you’ll find useful. Shall we? 

7 ways to make your roof be fire-resistant. 

1. Use fire-resistant roofing materials: 

Did you know that different roofing materials have varying fire-resistant powers? Did you also know that these fire-resistant powers are grouped into three classes –or four for some people? Let’s start by expanding more on the first question. 

When choosing a roofing material, people consider many factors but most don’t remember to choose roofing materials based on their ability to resist fire. Roofing materials are divided into three –or four; Class A, Class B, Class C, and the unrated roofing materials (being the fourth on the list). 

Roofing materials under Class A have the strongest resistance to fire while those grouped under  Class C and the unrated are at the bottom of the list. Roofing materials under Class A include clay roofs, slate roofs, asphalt roofs, metal roofs, and so many of them; they majorly consist of roofing materials that are made from Fiberglass. 

The roofing materials that are classified under Class C or the unrated are usually made from organic materials that are not treated with fire-resistant chemicals. While the roofs under Class B are simply Class C roof materials that have been saturated with fire-resistant chemicals. You can ask a roofer for more details on roofing materials and their fire resistance level. 

2. Clean your roof and chimney regularly: 

Some people don’t know that a simple DIY project such as roof cleaning can lessen the risk of fire, and this is how it does this. The debris like wood splits, dry grasses, and leaves that are on a roof can easily catch fire and if they burn for a long time, can also make your roof burn. 

On the other hand, a dirty chimney can also cause your roof to catch fire, and this is how it does it. During the winter, when you use your fireplace regularly, there’s an accumulation of soot in your chimney. This soot is a black-colored tar that is produced from burnt wood. When this soot is accumulated over a long period, your chimney can be highly inflammable. 

To prevent these two conditions, you have to first, clean your roof at least twice a year –after autumn and spring. In addition to this, you should trim tree branches that are too close to your roof to prevent debris from falling on your roof. And secondly, you have to clean your chimney as often as once a year. 

3. Repair roof damages:

If you install a Class A roof, there’re still chances that your home will catch fire if your roof has damages. These damages include shingle cracks and roof leakages. In a case where your roof has leaks, water can flow from those holes into the junction boxes and electrical connections that are in your home. And not only can this lead to electrocution, but it may also ignite fire when it comes in contact with a naked wire. 

4. Proper ceiling insulation: 

Ceiling insulations are usually the best option for homeowners who don’t use Class A or Class B roofing materials. As its name implies, it insulates your home from fire attacks, however, if not done properly, can attract fire to your home. Improperly installed ceiling installations first show signs of danger near vent pipes. If this damage isn’t rectified quickly, it will in turn weaken your roof. This roof weakening will then cause sparks and fire ignition during strong winds. You can prevent this by hiring a good roofer to properly install your ceiling installation. 

5. Install lightning arrestors and smoke detectors:

Not only does lightning electrocute a human, but it also increases the chances of a roof fire. Therefore to prevent this, you should create a safe passageway for lightning to pass through your house and into the ground. 

Smoke detectors are another useful device to install if you want to avoid fire in your home. Although this they don’t directly prevent fire outbreak, when they detect smoke and ring out, they give you a head start on how to protect your home from the impending doom. 

In summary, the consequences of a fire outbreak can be as disastrous as that caused by flooding –if not more. Therefore, you should follow the above-mentioned steps to reduce the chances of fire attacks on your roof.