Roof Repair and Roof Maintenance-Know their Importance

Since a roof is an important part of the house just like a room or a kitchen so the periodical roof repair and roof maintenance is required which can be done after roof inspection. Roof is made up of different materials like metal tiles, wood, clay tiles or rubber tiles. Each part of a roof is just like a vehicle, working cordially with the other parts to keep you comfortable. Therefore, while installing a roof one should always take the help of a professional because they are the ones who know the importance of a roof. We only see the exterior of a roof but what we don’t see really matters and that can only be seen by a professional inspector. Maintaining the health of a roof is of utmost importance, and thus, timely inspection of the roof is mandated.

Roof Inspection

While maintaining our home, we usually focus on the areas which are right in front of our eyes. But while doing so, usually a part of the house is ignored, perhaps the most important one, i.e. roof.  A poor roof can increase the risk of damaging the house. Therefore, inspecting the roof and roof repair from time to time is essential. Many factors have to be considered while inspecting the roof and so it should be done by a professional only.

Why is Roof Inspection Important?

While buying a new house, one must inspect it completely. Home inspectors do inspect the house properly to make sure that it is well structured and maintained. But, in general, they do not inspect the roof. In order to get this done, one must look for an A+ rated roof experts that helps you in inspecting your roof and provides a detailed report of its condition for roof repair and guidelines for the maintenance. A roof serves a protective shield to your house against snow, rain, hail, storm, etc. So, it is important to keep it maintained.

How is a Roof Inspection Done?

The roof inspectors are professionals who will check every single tile and shingle of your roof to detect any leaks, rusty metals, broken roofing materials, clogged drains, etc. They also help in bringing the problems to light that may occur in the near future and provide solutions to avoid those problems. Thus, helps in saving money for the owners.

Common Roof Problems Detected by Inspectors

To detect the problems, an inspector has to observe keenly every single detail of the roof. A professionally trained inspector can detect those faults which are not visible to the untrained eye. Some of the most common problems are:

• Rusty metal
• Curling shingles
• Broken roofing material
• Improper ventilation
• Clogged Drains
• Corroded flashing
• Broken wood shake
• Damaged valleys
• Damaged skylights
• Damaged chimney

If these problems are not detected early enough, they can become a headache for you. If neglected, these repairs can be time-consuming, pricey and may require the help of a professional to correct which will cost a fortune.

What can be Accomplished by Inspecting?

Roof inspectors provide you with a detailed report, including chimneys, drip edges, flashing vents, roofing material and caps. It helps in determining whether the roof needs any maintenance or not and how long will it last. A roofing certificate is issued once the inspection has been completed and the roof is repaired if required, and it is certain that the roofing is good for at least five years. This certificate ensures that the roof is in good condition and do not need any more repair soon.

Many factors are considered while inspecting the roof.  It includes the type of roof (wood, metal or rubber), the number of layers, the pitch of the roof and if any repairs had been done in the past.

Commonly Repaired Damages

Damage on the roof is dependent on many different factors like weather, location, and type of material used. The cause for roof leaks is mostly the same, so it is easily identified and fixed.

The most common roof damages are:

• Pipe flashing The vent pipes corrode after a period of time which causes the water to seep in and get in the interior part of the roof. These pipes need to be well-sealed.
• Damaged valleys Valleys take the runoff water from the interior of the house. These help in avoiding the water buildup and thereby protecting the flashing from getting damaged. When these are damaged, the water stays at one place damaging the other parts of the roof.
• Roof sloping A low slope roof has a higher chance of getting damaged as compared to high slope roofs. As it is almost flat, it becomes difficult to remove snow or the runoff water from there which may lead to leaks and damage the structure of the roof.
• Damaged shingles Shingles should always be made up of a heavy material as they are more durable. If it is lighter, it can be blown away by the wind, exposing the underlayment of the roof.

These are the most common roof damages and can be fixed by an expert inexpensively. It is important to fix these damages at their first sign as they can become a nightmare if neglected.

Conclusion

A roofing inspection should always be done by a professional expert, and there are many companies which provide assistance related to this. They provide you with more than just a professional help. They provide you with a thorough evaluation to find damaged, missing or broken shingles, damaged pipes or valleys or any other problems and helps to find out an effective solution. Using their extensive knowledge, they can also access moisture levels, ventilation, and condensation which are not detected easily. Along with this, you can get some expert advice on how to maintain the roofing system and solutions to the roof problems.

Image credit- Canva