Performing surface maintenance on a roof can help prevent expensive repairs and extend the life of your building. This can include removing debris, inspecting and repairing minor damage, and cleaning gutters.
Make sure previous repairs are listed separately on the maintenance checklist. This will ensure future inspections can see what was done and double check that the repairs were made correctly. For professional help, contact Arthur’s Roofing.
A leaky roof is one of the most frustrating and costly home problems. It starts with a drip or faint stain and can lead to mold, water damage, swollen wood, ceiling collapse, rotted insulation and other expensive repairs. Leaks also cause structural damage, destroying beams and joists. To prevent them, you can use a simple checklist to check your roof regularly for signs of trouble like damp spots, bubbling paint or water stains.
Leaks are more likely to emerge around roof penetrations such as chimneys, vents, skylights and flashing. Examine these areas carefully to make sure caulking and seals are intact. If they’re not, reapply them and be careful not to leave any gaps where moisture can sneak in.
For shingle roofs, look for any missing shingles or shingles that are cracked, damaged, curled, buckling or blistering. You should also inspect for moss or fungus, which can degrade the surface of your roof and cause leaks. If your roof has metal vents, check the housings for any cracking or broken seams. You should also replace the caulk around these elements, and be sure that the screws that attach them aren’t pulling out.
When checking for a leak, it’s helpful to have a helper and a garden hose. Start by soaking one area just above where the leak appears in the house, and then move up the roof a few feet at a time, spraying the suspected area. Have your helper stand inside to yell when water appears, signaling that you’re in the vicinity of the leak. Continue this process until you find the source of the leak, which may be a corroded metal flashing or a hole in the underlayment.
For a more thorough inspection, consider hiring a professional to perform an infrared thermal imaging scan of your roof. This technology can reveal areas where water is entering the home due to temperature differences in the roof structure. Then, a qualified professional can determine the cause and fix it before the problem gets out of hand.
Clean the Gutters
Gutters are essential for directing rainwater away from the roof and home, but they can’t do this job properly when they’re full of debris. Clogged gutters can cause expensive damage to both the roof and home, so it’s important to regularly clean them.
Gutter cleaning is a messy job, but it’s one of the most important tasks on any roof maintenance checklist. It’s recommended that you clear your gutters twice a year, once in the late spring and again in early fall. In addition to preventing water damage, regular cleaning can help prevent a buildup of moss and other damaging plant growth.
In addition to being an eyesore, a clogged gutter can be the source of water leaks throughout your home. This can cause wood damage and even mold and mildew in the attic or basement. The only way to prevent this is by routinely clearing out your gutters.
Another problem caused by clogged gutters is pest infestation. Birds, rodents, and other insects often seek out stagnant water or nesting spots in clogged gutters. Regularly cleaning your gutters can eliminate these unwanted guests and help keep your home healthy and safe.
Lastly, a clogged gutter can cause your foundation to crack as it tries to cope with the extra water pressure. This can happen particularly if the gutter is overflowing or if it’s clogged with leaves and other debris. Gutter cleaning prevents these problems from happening and can save you the cost of foundation repair in the future.
If you choose to clean your own gutters, make sure you follow this guide for roof-safe gutter cleaning. It’s important not to use metal tools, sprayers, or walk on the roof unless absolutely necessary, as these can damage shingles, flashing, and underlayment. It’s also a good idea to have a spotter or helper to hold the ladder in place and provide support when you need it. And don’t forget to check and clean the downspouts as well, as these can also become clogged with debris. By following these simple steps, you can avoid the common mistakes that cause costly gutter repairs.
Trim the Trees
Tree branches that touch the roof can scratch or crack shingles and even create holes. Over time, this can lead to expensive repairs. Trimming your trees can prevent this from happening by keeping them a safe distance away from your roof. In addition to reducing the risk of damage, regular pruning can also help keep your trees healthy by getting rid of dead or overgrown branches.
Overhanging branches can scrape against the shingles during windy weather and cause further problems with the integrity of your roof. In addition to the damage they can cause, these branches can encourage the growth of moss and mold, which further weakens shingles and roofing materials. In addition, they can clog gutters and create moisture buildup around the roof, which leads to water leaks in your home.
If you have a mature or older tree, it’s a good idea to consider hiring a professional arborist for regular trimming services. They have the equipment and training to prune a variety of trees safely, including removing branches that hang over your house. This helps to prevent damage to your roof, siding, windows, and driveways. They can also identify the health of your trees and recommend any additional maintenance needs.
In addition to removing overgrown branches, tree trimming can also prevent insect infestations by creating a less inviting habitat for pests. Ants, termites, and squirrels often find shelter in overhanging branches, and they can cause extensive structural damage to your home. They also increase humidity levels and promote mold and mildew growth.
A regular yearly inspection of your roof and the surrounding trees is important. Inspect your shingles for damage and look for leaks, especially after a rainstorm. If you see signs of a leak, it’s important to call a repair service right away to prevent further damage to your home.
If you notice a problem with your roof, such as a crack or hole, it’s a good idea to contact a repair company for an inspection. A repair company can help you get your roof back to its original condition by replacing damaged shingles and fixing any other issues that are found.
Inspect the Roof
A thorough roof inspection should include a careful examination of the roofing materials themselves. The inspector looks for signs of damage, wear and tear, and potential issues that could affect the roof’s ability to protect the building from water infiltration. This includes looking at shingles, tiles, and metal plates; assessing cracks in flat roofing materials; and inspecting the flashing around chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, and other roof interruptions. It should also include a visual assessment of the interior of the building, including looking at water stains on walls and ceilings and examining the insulation for dampness.
In addition to the roof’s surface, the inspector should examine the rafters and trusses that support it; these should be sturdy and free from any obvious signs of structural damage or rot. They should also look for any gutters and downspouts, checking for damage or clogs. This is a vital step in protecting the integrity of the roof; water intrusion through clogged gutters can lead to rot, which can compromise the structure of the roof and cause leaks.
As part of the material inspection, the inspector should also check the shingles or tiles for signs of damage, such as bubbling or blistering, which can indicate moisture intrusion. They should also check for granule loss on shingle surfaces, as this can indicate that the shingles are becoming worn out and may need replacement. If the inspector can gain access to the attic, they should also look for any evidence of mold or mildew; this can signal a problem with moisture penetration and/or ventilation.
The inspector should also examine the ridge vents, turbine vents, and neoprene pipe boots to ensure they’re all working properly; obstructions can lead to excess moisture penetration and potentially lead to structural damage in the building. They should also check for any evidence of moisture inside the building, such as water stains on the ceiling or walls and peeling paint, which can also indicate a problem with the roof. Finally, they should assess the quality of the roof workmanship; if there are any obvious signs of damage or wear, such as sagging areas, they’ll need to be repaired right away to prevent more extensive and costly problems down the road.