A properly functioning roof protects your home and prevents costly damage. Regular maintenance includes cleaning gutters to ensure proper water flow and inspecting flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights and walls for signs of wear.
Often, leaks can be traced to areas of the roof that have weakened caulking or are missing shingles. The easiest way to reduce damage is to cover the problem area with a large sheet of polyethylene plastic and several two-by-four boards. View Our Site for more information.
During an inspection, the roofing contractor will visually examine your roof. They will look for shingles that are damaged, buckling, curling, missing or overly worn down. These shingles are more likely to leak and allow water to penetrate into your home. They will also check the condition of your gutters and make sure they are free from debris that could prevent proper water drainage.
Roofing inspections should be conducted regularly, at least twice a year—once in the spring and once in the fall. This helps identify potential problems and allows the roofing professional to address them before they become severe. In addition, many manufacture roof warranties require owners to have their roofs inspected and repaired on a regular basis or the warranty will be voided.
In addition to visual observations, the inspector will use a thermal imaging camera to locate hot spots on your roof. These hot spots indicate areas that are too warm and need to be fixed. These hotspots can be caused by a number of things, including:
Another important part of the inspection is looking at interior ceilings and walls for signs of water penetration. These signs can be water stains, mold and even rot. These can be very costly to repair and should always be addressed as soon as they are spotted.
A roofer will also look at the condition of your roof penetrations, such as chimneys, vent pipes, skylights and other items that stick out from your roof. These items create holes in your roof that should be covered with sealants, boots, flashing or other methods to keep rain out. The roofer will make sure these penetrations are in good condition and that any flashing isn’t cracked or separating from the wall of your house.
During maintenance, the roofer will also clean out your gutters, trim tree branches that are overhanging your roof, and clean the surface of the roof. They will also make sure you have drip edge installed on your roof, which helps keep water from splashing onto the fascia and into your gutters. This is an important part of any roof and building codes require it.
Cleaning
Cleaning involves removing debris from roofs and rinsing the undersides of the roofing tiles or shingles. Soft washing is the most appropriate way to clean a roof, as high-pressure water may damage some roof surfaces. Soft washing uses a mild surfactant that seeps deep into cracks, crevices and ridges to dissolve thick mud, sludge, mold, mildew, soot and other residues. The technician will also treat moss, algae and lichen growth on the roof with a biocide to prevent re-growth. The resulting clean roof will not only look better, but it will extend the life of the shingle and improve the curb appeal of your home.
A cleaning solution containing trisodium phosphate (TSP) or bleach may be used to remove black algae discoloration from roofs. This will kill the algae and will prevent it from re-growing, which will preserve the lifespan of your shingles. The TSP or bleach solution will also be safe for your trees, shrubbery and any other outdoor plants.
Repair
A roof in bad shape can allow rain and other elements into your home, causing wood damage, mold growth, and water leaks. Regular roof maintenance can prevent this from happening.
Repairs to your roofing can include replacing damaged shingles, flashing, or structural components. A qualified professional will inspect your roof to determine the extent of the damage and if a repair is feasible. The scope of the work will also be impacted by the roof’s accessibility and slope, as well as any additional materials that may be required.
Often, the first step in repairing a leaking roof is to locate and remove the source of the water leak. For example, if the roof’s gutters are overflowing, they should be removed and the downspouts inspected to ensure they aren’t clogged or damaged. Similarly, if the vents or chimney are leaking, they will need to be fixed.
If the damage is extensive and can’t be repaired, a roof replacement will need to take place. A replacement can cost significantly more than a repair, but it will be more durable and will last much longer.
When a roof is damaged, it can be tempting to cover up the problems with paint or another surface material. However, this can cause the problem to deteriorate faster and lead to leaks and other issues down the line.
To ensure the integrity of your roof, it is important to repair all leaks and damage as soon as possible. This will help protect your home, increase its value, and prevent costly repairs down the road.
For a pipe collar, the technician will remove the old materials and then install new base flashing and shingles. They will make sure the new flashing is aligned with both the roofing material and the wall to prevent future leaks. Lastly, the metal storm collar and rain cap are installed or replaced and a waterproof sealant is applied.
Plumbing vent boots can be made of plastic or metal, and they’re located on the roof at each plumbing fixture. They can crack or rust, and if the rubber seal is missing, water can penetrate into your home along the pipe. To fix this, the plumber will carefully remove the boot, clean it, and then replace or reinstall it with a rubber-washered screw that’s special for use on metal roofs.
