How to Inspect Your Roof

The best preventative maintenance for your roof is to perform visual inspections of the roof surface at least twice a year (Spring/Fall), and after any major storm (wind, rain, hail, snow) or construction project. This will help you to identify any potential problems that may come up. It is important to remember that traffic on your roof should be kept to a minimum as shingles are brittle, especially in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Instead of walking the roof, use a pair of binoculars to get a closer view of the roof surface. Here is what you should be checking:

• Shingle Surface: Inspect the general surface of the roof. First, look for signs that the shingles may be lifting, loose or even missing. Check to make sure that the roof surface is free of all debris (leaves, garbage, twigs etc.). It is important that you do not power wash your roof! This can cause significant damage. Use a leaf blower or garden hose to remove debris. Look for mold, moss or algae – these occur more commonly in damp climates and often accumulate along the ridge or near the eaves or shaded areas of the roof. Look for exposed nails, hail marks, or missing granules (bald spots).

• Flashings: Inspect all flashings around chimneys, vents, plumbing stacks, skylights, walls and valleys looking for rust, cracks, or other openings where water may enter. Look also for flashings that may have lifted from the surface of the roof. If you can see deterioration, call us right away to provide a more thorough inspection or repair.

• Surrounding Vegetation: Look for areas where vegetation has grown over or is touching the roof surface. Trim back any overhanging branches. Shaded areas encourage moss and fungus growth and can encourage ice dams and run-off problems.

• Building Exterior: Check your home for signs of shifting or settlement. Cracks in the structure (inside or out) are signs that there could also be cracks in the roof. Look to make sure that overhangs, soffit, fascia and downspouts are in good condition. Check your eaves-trough to make sure they are unclogged and free of debris.

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Roofing Problems

The Roof is one of the most important aspects of any home and one of the most cost effective given the work it has to do over the years. It is no surprise that when the roof needs replacing or repairing you must find a roofing contractor that has a good track record so as not to end up as a statistic of people ripped off and left with a low quality job.

There are different types of roof problems, and it is best to be aware of them so you can avoid shortening the life span of the roof. Without proper and routine maintenance, these minorproblems can even become catastrophic. Roof repair and remodels are one of those things you simply can not escape from. Identifying common problems that plague the roof can be a tedious task. But we have listed a few problems for you below;

- Roof leaks and moisture
- Blow-offs, tenting, reduced wind uplift resistance, and billowing
- Poor installation and unsatisfactory workmanship
- Lack of maintenance
- Ponding water
- Punctures and the addition of penetrations post-installation
- Safety
- Improper repairs
- Shrinkage
- Blistering

Prevention is the best solution; however if we go for proper roof maintenance then we can overcome these problems to a certain extent. Since roofs are constantly exposed to the elements, most roof damage results from weather and pollutants in the atmosphere. To save yourself big repair costs or even having to replace your roof before its time, you should perform a general inspection on your roof at least twice a year, checking for mildew, mold, rust, trapped water, and possible damage, and make minor repairs if necessary. That is the best preventive maintenance you can do.

Also, be sure to keep your roof clean. Remove any debris that may accumulate on it and clean out the roof gutters regularly. Also, repair any weather damage as soon as it occurs. For the solution of roofing problems click the links below:

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