Roof damage is one of the most painful issues, as a sudden leakage from the roof may damage the drywall, the walls, the paint and the entire texture of the house. If roof damage is followed by heavy rainfall or snowstorm, it may lead to water damage issues. The accumulate water will again cause multiple problems. Many times roof damage is also accompanied by mould and mildew formation that causes respiratory disorders and other infections to the people who are exposed to it.
Sudden roof collapse may cause severe property damage and is dangerous for human lives; also, the debris and shingles may cause injuries to the brain and other delicate organs. Many of us even live in houses that have been constructed around 50 years ago, it is not a sin to live in old houses, but it is a fault to ignore the maintenance demands of such structures. The rocks and the materials used have an age and a limited tensile strength; such old structures have experienced strenuous climatic changes that cause their depreciation and make them subjected to damage.
To avoid any sudden impact of this depreciation, we must inspect the property frequently and make a note of the repair. As soon as, we encounter any issue, we must quickly arrange for its restoration. The roof has exposed the maximum to the climatic changes and rainfall that too perpendicularly, making it more vulnerable to damages. Hence, the roof must be given extra attention, and roof inspection must be carried out more often. You can carry regular inspections yourself, but there are many slight damages that may be ignored by you due to lack of experience. Hence, a profession roof inspection should also be arranged regularly. Companies like the Pisgah roofingandrestoration.com provides commendable roof inspection services as the technicians are well skilled and experienced.
Some tips for inspecting roof:
1. Start with the Gutter inspection
Carefully inspect every gutter present on your roof. Always ask your contractor for a report of the gutter inspection. A contractor must be familiar with how the gutters are attached. If gutters have linked the drip edges, you cannot replace them. If you need an installation of a new drip edge, then the gutter guard, if any, needs to be removed. This incurs overhead costs and time. The inspection should be extended to the structure present below the gutters to see the materials that were used for the initial construction of the roof. Companies such as coastlinefacilities.co.uk provide a full gutter inspection service as well as gutter clearing. They will provide a full inspection report on request.
2. Move to Roof Flashings
It is necessary to know the state and the type of the flashing, noting these minute details are impossible if one doesn’t climb up the roof; if the inspection report indicates these flashings will have to be replaced. A proper flashing makes the roof durable; if the flashings are not inspected initially, they will add to the restoration costs eventually and unexpectedly. If the flashings are not in place, they serve as the entrance for water. It appears to be a small and insignificant aspect, but if not maintained properly, it may cause critical under surface damages.
3. Check the Skylights
The maximum average lifespan of a skylight is twenty years. Mostly, skylights have to be replaced in every five or ten years. If you have a roof replacement, it is advised to get the skylights also replaced, so that you don’t need to organize another restoration, especially for the skylights. You can always include the replacement of skylights to your checklist, to avoid additional expenses of replacing the skylights separately.
4. A thorough observation of the Soil Stacks
Keenly observe the soil stacks for any cracks or ruptures. Similar to flashings, they are also minute, yet essential for the security of the roof. Always go for soil stacks that are made up of reliable and suitable materials like Silicon, never opt for cheap boot alternatives. Make a note of the damages around the soil stack also. If the solid stack gets damaged, you will have to spend a lot of time for its re-installation.
5. Check the Chimney
The chimney is also an important structure that cannot be examined without climbing the roof. A chimney has a saddle or cricket, to divert water away from it, to protect precipitation from getting inside it, during heavy rainfall or snowstorms. We must not ignore the chimney damages as any damage there will affect the roof and causes leakage in our home. Don’t go for any cheap temporary alternatives, as these may lead to sudden damage and you will regret your carelessness later.
6. Closely examine the Attic
The Attic should have a proper ventilation mechanism; else the excess heat will pass through it. The woods get rotten over time; they need to be replaced regularly. During winter, this heat leads to the melting of ice deposited on the roof and eventually causes water damage.
To ensure that you don’t forget anything, go through the checklist given below:
- Check that the shingles do not have any curls and blisters. There should be no instances of missing or lose shingles.
- There should be no rust deposits on the flashing.
- The gutter system is working well.
- No debris should be present.
- Vent stacks are functional.
- There are no obsolete rubber boots around the vent pipes.
- No branches have started growing towards your roof.
- The supporting materials like wood and timbers should be carefully examined for pests or termites actions.
- The chimney caps and motor parts are in the proper place. (So that you need to climb up the roof again.)
- Worn out antennas, solar panels and satellite dishes are discarded, and the present ones are properly connected.
- There are no colonies of bacterial and fungal micro-organisms like mosses, lichens, moulds, mildews or any other decaying organism.
If you don’t want to experience any sudden consequences of roof damage, then you must regularly arrange for roof inspections. If you are not confident and experienced, don’t worry! Asheville Roofing provides a thorough roof inspection at a very affordable price and gives you a detailed report of the study of damages and the related expenses. Your safety, Asheville Roofing’s priority!
