Human activities have a considerable impact on the environment with most of them being negative impacts. For example, even the simple act of installing a roof has its negative impacts on the environment. Luckily, you can take the following measures to reduce your roof's effect on the environment.
Use Durable Roofing Materials
Each year, millions of tons of roofing materials end up in landfills across the country where they degrade the environment. The faster your roof wears out and gets replaced, the more of those wastes will end up in the landfill. Choosing a durable roofing material, therefore, reduces the amount of roofing waste discarded in landfills. Here are some of the durable roofing materials you should be thinking of:
- Metal, or specifically steel, that can last as long as 100 years
- Clay, with an expected lifetime of 75 to 100 years
- Slate, which can easily exceed 100 years
Maintain Your Roof
Even the most durable roofing material will deteriorate fast and necessitate roof replacement if it is not properly maintained. The required maintenance practices depend on the roofing material on your roof; your contractor should be able to help you understand how to take care of your specific roof. However, there are also a few maintenance issues common to all roofing materials, and they include:
- Minimizing foot traffic on the roof
- Keeping the roof clean
- Ensuring the roof is properly ventilated
- Fixing small problems before they become major issues
Use Recyclable Materials
Even if you install a durable roofing material, it will eventually wear out, which means it can still damage the environment. However, you can reduce the roofing waste's effect on the environment by recycling as much of them as possible. The good news is that most roofing materials can be recycled; metal, rubber, and plastic can all be recycled. Even materials that cannot be recycled can be repurposed for other uses. For example, old roofing shingles can be used for paving roads or streets.
Ensure Energy Efficiency
The issue of taking roofing materials to the landfills is not the only way in which roofs damage the environment. Energy inefficient roofs also contribute their share of environmental damage by increasing your home's heating and cooling bills. Therefore, ensure your roof is energy-efficient by installing the right material for your climate, using light-colored materials to reflect sunlight, and ensuring that the roof is properly ventilated.
Hopefully, you will maintain your roof properly, and it won't be among the numerous ones causing havoc to the environment. Consult a roof repair contractor on further steps you can take to ensure minimal environmental impact from your roof.
