The adage “prevention is better than cure” applies to roof maintenance as well. The roof, being the fundamental section of your house, has to put up with constant stress from the elements. Some of the things that affect the roof will not be discernible until it is too late. This often has a devastating effect on your pocket as well as your house. So it is important to deal with any potential damages proactively.
Roof inspection
A professional roof inspection in Oldsmar should be done at least every other year. Apart from this, homeowners should go ahead and inspect their roofs as often as needed. Every bout of extreme weather calls for a roof inspection after it subsides.
What to look for in a roof inspection & what proactive action to adopt
A. External inspection
1. Damaged shingles
Extreme weather conditions are detrimental to the shingles. Intense heat tends to curl or buckle the shingles. The heat affects the basic material of asphalt shingles to loosen their granules. It makes the shingles dry beyond limit resulting in the cracking of shingles.
When the weather is windy, the shingles are likely to be displaced or even blown off. If the roof is past its prime, the wind may blow off granules from the shingles. The eroded shingles will lose their ability to protect your roof. Continuous rain will again displace loose granules. Besides, water may pool on the roof and bio-growth is a possible outcome.
Remedy
In all these cases the homeowner can notice the damages and deal with them immediately. This is often a professional roofing company’s job. The damages to the shingles should be corrected, as it is the primary component of a roof.
2. Damaged Flashings
Flashings are fixed in the places where roof-top installations like skylight, chimney or vents are attached to the roof. They are usually metal sheets fixed using roof cement or caulk. The caulk or roof cement usually cracks over time, if the weather is too hot. This will further damage the metal sheet and corrode it, creating crevices through which water enters. Eventually, roof leak sets in.
Remedy
These cracks also can be visible to the homeowner during his inspection. However, the correction of the same may need a professional. Applying the roof cement or caulk is a careful job. One has to remove the cracked portion in entirety and clean the surface before reapplying cement or caulk.
3. Vent housings
Attic vents and plumbing vents are fixed using rubber boots. Intense weather conditions would crack the rubber making it brittle and crack afterward. This is a potential roof leaking point.
Remedy
Removing the rubber boot can be done by a DIY job if the homeowner is proficient in such things. Otherwise, it is better to engage an experienced roofer
B. Internal inspection
4. Attic
Several significant symptoms of a roof malfunction can be detected during the attic inspection.
5. Heat and moisture build-up
On a hot day, if your roof is hot to the touch from your attic it means that your roof fails to protect your house from the heat of the sun. This is a serious issue as the trapped heat will be transmitted downwards and the interior of your house will be heated up. This means during winter your house will be extremely cold inside. This shows that your roof is incapable of protecting your house form heat or cold. Also, there will be condensation which will promote the growth of mold and mildew.
Remedy
If this happens, it is sure that there is something wrong with the insulation of your attic. Too much insulation is as detrimental as an inadequate insulation. The insulation should be done with a material with the correct R-value. You would definitely need a professional to do this job.
6. Discoloration on the ceiling and walls
If you notice any discoloration on your ceiling or wet trails on your walls, call in a professional immediately. An ordinary homeowner may not be able to discover the origin of a roof leak. The expert will do that and correct the issue before it is too late.
C. General cleanliness of the roof
Frequent cleaning of the roof is an important proactive maintenance strategy. Keep your roof free of debris and avoid water pooling and bio-growth. This will prolong the life of your shingles.
D. Gutter
Make sure that your gutter is free of debris and granules to assist free flow off. This will avoid gutter overflow that can damage your fascia and soffit. The above proactive strategies will increase the longevity of your roof and ensure ample protection to your house.
