Essential Factors to Consider in a Roofing Maintenance Plan

Roofs, if not maintained properly and serviced on a regular basis may drastically deteriorate.  In fact,many roofing companies in Dallas, Texas withdraw the warranties they offer if the roof maintenance is not done properly. Therefore, it is advisable to invest a little more on maintenance every year, instead of spending a large amount on a major repair that you may undertake due to lack maintenance or negligence.

The following the factors you need to consider when initiating a roof maintenance project:

1. Regular inspection 

Carry out regular inspections of your roof. Doing inspection at least twice a year is what every roofing contractor suggests. Most damages usually occur before and after the season, and therefore, this is the time when you need to get your roof inspected. The harsh winter and the scorching summer are seasons that post maximum challenges. Besides doing the required maintenance work for these two seasons, it’s imperative to get your roofs inspected after heavy storm. 

2. Periodic cleanups

Keeping your building’s roofs and gutters clean helps prevent any dirt or debris from piling up on the roof or inside the gutters. If you are one of those people who believe in following DIY techniques, can easily clean it on their own. If you can’t, then hire the services of a professional roofing contractor in Texas to do the job. They would look for dirt, leaves, and traces of debris in the gutters and also check if there is any damage on the roof caused by ice damming.

3. Flashing inspection

Flashing is a metal piece used around vents, exhaust pipes, and chimneys, or used at joints in wall construction or roofs. It prevents water from trickling through the joints and causing damage. Mostly water seepage in a house happens due to damaged flashing. A faulty flashing allows snow meltage to enter the interiors, causing damage to the internal walls and infrastructure rot.

4. Attic check

Attic problems are hard to identify and needs regular inspection. Due to this reason, even if your roof apparently does not look damaged, may still need your attention. Attic molds are usually caused by issues such as roof leaks, ventilation problems, and others. To ensure that your roof is free from attic issues, get it inspected on a regular basis to find damage or leakage. If there are any signs of streaks or stains in any unfurnished areas of your attic, you need to resolve them immediately. 

5. Ventilation check

Proper ventilation is necessary to ensure that the roof does not get damaged because of freeze or thaw cycles that occur during the changing seasons. It also helps to maintain the temperature, preventing the attic from getting too hot during the summers as it may lead to the de-lamination of roof sheathing and loosening of the shingles.

6. Drainage system check

Clogging of water can damage your roof severely. In order to prevent water logging or standing water issues, your roofing system must have a proper drainage system. If there is a water logging issue despite having a clean drainage system, it may be an indication that there is a sagging issue.

Conclusion

Every roof inspection needs to be followed by a corrective action plan, or else the roofing issues would aggravate in the long run. If you are, therefore, spending your time, energy, and money in inspecting or getting your roofs inspected, also make sure that the necessary repair work is done on time. If you neglect it, it would only turn into a bigger issue later, and would also burn a hole in your pocket.

5 Roofing Mistakes You Must Avoid

How long your new roof will last is something that depends not only on the quality of the roof that you install, but also the experience and workmanship of the residential roofing contractor who installs it. It is, therefore, important for you to hire a qualified roofer who will not make rookie and costly mistakes. In this post, we discuss some of the most common roofing mistakes whose avoidance helps you get the maximum out of our new roof.

1. Improper Slope

If the materials you choose do not match the slope of the roof, it may lead to water penetration. For example, if one is installing wood, asphalt or tile shingles & shakes, it is recommended to have a minimum slope of four units rise per twelve units of run. 

 2. Ventilation Problems

At the time of laying down shingles, it is necessary to allow ceilings or attics to vent. Failing to do so can lead to build up of moisture leading to the premature weakening of the shingle material. 

3. Layers of Shingles

Many municipalities require old asphalt to be removed before installing the new one. Not adhering to this rule is illegal. Whether your municipality allows it or not, it is highly recommended that old shingles be removed before new ones are installed as the additional weight harms your roof structure and walls. Removing old shingles also allows your residential roofing contractor to inspect, and if need be, repair fragile areas.  

       

4. Improper use of Nails

If nailed incorrectly, or insufficiently, shingles can slip down causing injury to bystanders. A minimum of four nails per shingle is what we recommend. If the roof has a steep gradient then the minimum number of nails used should be even more, preferably six. Make sure that the nails aren’t driven into or above the self-sealing strip.

       

5. Failing to Plan for Ice Dams. 

For those who live in cold climates, it is common to experience ice dams that form along the roofline. If the roof isn’t insulated enough, these ice dams force water down the shingles. To prevent this, it is necessary to install an under layer in the roof to act as an additional layer and protect against the melting ice water. 

Conclusion 

Most roofing mistakes result from inexperienced do-it-yourselfers who have little or no prior roofing experience. The same is true for inexperienced or first-time roofing contractors touting cheap services. You must, therefore, check the roofing contractor’s experience, and if possible, check with their past and current clients about the quality of the contractor’s services. 

5 Reasons Why You May Need a New Roof

A roof is every building’s first line of defense from the elements and natural hazards such as fire, wind, hail, snow, rain, ice, and extreme heat. The fact that it protects the occupants and property in a building makes it the most vulnerable component. Most homeowners neglect their roofs until they spot a leak or some other grave issue. 

Usually, leaks can be repaired without having to replace the roof, but under certain circumstances a  new roof installation  may be the only feasible option available. In this post, we discuss circumstances that would require you to install a new roof.

1. Aged Roof

A typical roof lasts between 20 to 25 years, except under certain unavoidable circumstances where you may need to replace them much earlier. In case you have purchased a pre-owned house and are unable to determine the age of the roof based on the documents you have, consult a roofing contractor to help you.

2. Curling and buckling shingles

Take a look at the slope of your roof exposed to direct sunlight. If you find that the shingles are curling or losing granules, it’s probably a sign that your roof is due for replacement. It might also mean that the roof is defective and can be repaired. For example – a roof that is fairly new may have curled shingles because either they were not properly installed or the roof is defective.

3. Roof Valleys

Roof valleys form when two portions of a roof meet at an inside angle. Such valleys are common to many roofs and are one of the most common causes of leaks. To avoid roof valley issues, hire professional contractors who can eliminate the issue by use of advanced techniques. If, however, your roof’s shingles are falling apart of missing, it’s a sign you need a roof replacement.

4. Missing Shingles

Are the shingles on your house’s roof missing? Do they get lifted or bent when the wind blows? The first impression that people make of your house is based on its exterior condition. Missing shingles not only spoil the appearance of your house, but also lead to leakage. It may also affect your home’s insurability. If the shingles on your roof are missing and getting replacements for the missing shingles is not a feasible option, a new roof installment is what you need.

5. Shingle granules in the gutter

It is common for roofs to lose more granules towards the end of their lifecycle. You need to look into the gutter to confirm whether or not it is loaded with shingle granules. If there is an excessive amount of granules in the gutter, it’s probably a sign that your roof has experienced extensive wear and tear and needs replacement.

Conclusion  

The decision, whether you should go for roof repair or replacement is based on a lot of factors such as cost, reparability, current condition, and more. Remember, if the issue is beyond repair or if repairing the roof is just a temporary solution, it is always advisable to go for a replacement. In fact, if calculated from a long-term perspective, the cost of replacing a roof may turn out to be cheaper than getting it repaired