Prevent harmful damage by completing a homeowner checklist.
Leaves will be falling soon, and autumn is just around the corner. It’s a time when many homeowners clean out gutters for the season. It is also a good time for a health checkup on your roof, before the winter snowfall.
You can consult a professional roofing contractor, to come and inspect the roof, but it is good to have a checklist for your homeowner files as well. It will help you evaluate if it is indeed time to have that professional roofer come by to re-roof your home.
So what are some of the indications that it’s time to call in a professional roofer?
Take a stroll around the house and take a good look at the roof from all angles. If you can’t see it clearly, you can climb a secure ladder to inspect it, or dig out those hunting binoculars and put them to good use. If you are unsure there is a problem, take pictures and email them to a professional roofing company for an opinion.
1.Check The Shingles For Damage Or Wear
One of the first things you can check for is if there are shingles with curling edges. Another sign of potential damage is if you have noticed granules dropping onto your deck or lawn furniture during rainstorms.
After the major wind storms, we had this summer; your roof could be missing shingles. They may have lifted or blown away. On shake roofs, you may find the shingle sheared off, cracked or missing. Concrete roof tiles might have broken or gone missing.
If you have an asphalt roof, you might see actual cracks or buckles, or the shingles have pulled away from the roofing infrastructure. These signs of wear could require a simple roof repair, or it could mean it is time to consider re-roofing your home. A professional roofing company will come in an assess your roof to determine the best method to fix it.
2. Inspect The Sealant
Roofers use sealant around the stacks and vents that stick up from household roofs. If the shingles lift in the wind, the sealant gets old, or if extreme weather changes happen, the sealant may pull away or crack.
If it has been damaged, it creates an entry point for water. Leaks can enter the attic and moisture may run down to pool on drywall, leaving stains on your ceiling that will need drywall repair and painting.
Fixing cracks before they cause roof leaks can be relatively minor. The roofer will take off the old sealant and reseal the area with new roof sealant. They often test it with a stream from the garden hose and check the attic in that area for any signs of seepage. Some homeowners have metal roofing, and suitable sealant is important for any overlapping areas and around fastener sites.
3. Don’t Forget To Check The Attic
If there are problems with shingles or sealant, the first place it will be evident is in the attic.Â
Leaks may come in one area and travel along the roof joists to another. It may not be evident on inside ceilings, but the insulation could be sopping up quite a bit of moisture which can reduce its insulation factor, or develop mould. Taking a peek through the attic trap door with a flashlight might show water stains on insulation or darker areas of the plywood sheeting.
4. Safely Inspect The Flashing
There are usually metal strips installed around vents and stacks. They can become bent and let small leaks develop. While inspecting the flashings, check the sealant for cracks, too.Â
If gutters fall off, moisture can seep back up under the shingles and rot the wood.
A roofer can fix these problems quickly, so that they don’t develop into something more serious.
5. Commercial Buildings Should Be Inspected, Too
Many commercial buildings have flat roofing, and inspections are just as necessary there.Â
A rooftop inspection may find scattered debris in gutters blocking drains. If there is pooling of water on the roof, it could be a sign of blocked drainage. If the membrane breaks or is punctured, it may let moisture seep under the membrane, leading to roof deterioration if not fixed. Another sign is if the final layer of gravel is wearing thin, it may be time to get that refurbished.
Commercial flat roofs often have caulking and seaming that can crack with the heat-cold weather stresses. If caught early, resealing can be a solution that saves the business owner money. Professional roofers offer regular maintenance contracts to commercial building owners. Reach out to top-rated commercial roofing companies to ask about their maintenance packages. Make sure to have a checklist of things to ask them when you call. Regular maintenance will keep you informed on the roof’s status so that you can plan for it in your business budget.Â
Add checking your roof on your fall to-do list. Not only will it protect your home equity, but it will also reduce future home repairs. Most importantly, a fall inspection will keep your family safe and warm when winter snowflakes fall.
If you aren’t sure about the condition of your roof, reach out to National Star Roofing Specialists. Our roofing services include assessing the existing infrastructure and making roof repairs, or replacing the system as necessary.
