Is it Time for a Roof Upgrade?

 By Go Roof Tune Up.  

The exercise the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends homeowners take twice a year to discern if their roof needs a tune-up.   

You can usually tell when your car engine needs a tune-up; it will stall at stoplights and start sluggishly. You can only wait for so long before you need to take a trip to the mechanic to keep the problem from getting worse. Just as a car mechanic restores your car to full functionality, so too does your roof need to be adjusted to the maximum degree of protection and safety. 

Short of your roof leaking, it can be hard to tell if you need to adjust your roof without actively looking for signs of damage or disrepair. Here are some telling signs to know if your roof needs attention so that a little repair doesn’t turn into a big one. 

Focus on three elements  

Ensure your safety by surveying your roof from the ground level (with a pair of binoculars) or a second-story window. No matter how sure-footed you think you may be, do not climb a ladder and walk on the unfamiliar terrain of your roof. Do your best to conduct a visual inspection and then call a roofing company to perform a comprehensive inspection if you find something amiss.  

Focus your attention on three key roof components: the flashings (the steel or metal weatherproofing pieces), the shingles and the gutters:  

• Look for bent, damaged or missing flashings near the chimney, pipes, dormer windows, skylights and other openings. The flashings should be smooth and fully intact. They should not be curled, cracked, or dotted with rust – all of which signifies decay. Many water seepage problems can be directly traced to problems with the flashings.  

• Be alert for missing shingles or cracked, curled, buckled, or broken shingles, which also could lead to water seepage. Look for traces of moss, which can be a sign of poor water drainage.  

• Peek inside the gutters for a buildup of shingle granules (or grit). Shingles tend to deteriorate steadily toward the end of their lifespan. A buildup can interfere with water drainage. Without proper drainage from your gutters, water can pool on your roof and eventually find its way indoors.  

If you find something that looks troubling or suspicious, make an appointment for a roof inspection. 

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory. 

Original article source: Go Roof Tune Up