What Do You Need to Know About Your Roof? – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

What Do You Need to Know About Your Roof?

 

When shopping for your first home, a slate or tile roof might not rank as high on your list of features as that 3rd bedroom.

You are more likely to give greater importance to a feature like a half bath off the family room, than to worry about whether your potential new home’s roof is flat.
If you’ve lived in your home for years, remodeling the kitchen probably takes priority over redoing your roof.

Let’s Face it, How Often Do You Think About Your Roof at All?

After the wet winter we’ve had – you may feel this is a trick question.  Many of you worried about staying dry.  Some of us have deferred maintenance and have leaky roofs.  Now is the time to give your roof the attention it so justly deserves.

What You Don’t Want to See When You Look Up at Your Roof?

1. Debris
Whether your roof is sloped or flat, debris can collect on it.  You don’t want to see piles of leaves or pine needles that can cause moisture to be trapped underneath which can cause rot.  Moss is another story.  If you look at your roof, you may see green stuff growing because of all the recent rain.

2. Tree Branches
If you see tree branches growing over and touching your roof – time to call your local tree service.  Even in a slight wind, those branches and leaves can scrap your roof and cause damage.

3. Missing Shingles or Tiles
Missing shingles or tiles may be due to wind or damage due to tree branches that loosened them.  This usually limits the damage to a smaller area and a simple repair can do the trick.

4. Shingle or Tile Deterioration
Walking on a roof can damage the roofing materials if it is not done with care.  But, if your shingles or tiles are cracked or discolored, this is usually a sign of aging and means they need to be replaced.  Sometimes after heavy rains small granules that look like sand can be found around the base of downspouts.  That grit is part of the weatherproofing on the shingles. Not a good sign to see it on the ground.

5. Deteriorating Flashing
Something you can’t easily see by looking up at your roof is the flashing around chimneys, skylights, vents and roof/wall junctures.  Leaks often start in these spots, where the flashing has dried and cracked from exposure to the sun, wind and rain.  Resealing these areas is something that may need to be done every few years.

How Often Should I Check My Roof for Wear and Tear?

Most experts will tell you that you should have your roof professionally inspected at least once every year or two.  They will also recommend that you maintain your roof. That means keeping your roof free of debris, making sure the gutters and downspouts are clean and tree limbs are trimmed away from your roof.

What if My Roof Does Become Damaged?

If you see any of the signs detailed above, it is time to call a roofer.

If the damage is limited to a small area of your roof, a repair of that section is recommended.  If larger portions of the roof are affected, a roof replacement might be your best bet.
Be sure to rely on a reputable roofer to do the work.