Category: roofs

With a solid focus on learning more about roofing, this article is sure to give you what you need. You want to know what you're doing when it comes to putting a new roof on your home, and that requires that right knowledge. Keep reading to learn what you need to know.

Do Not Fix Roof Leaks During A Storm

If you find a leak during a storm, wait until everything is dry before heading up to your roof. A wet roof is an accident waiting to happen. Therefore, do not climb on your roof until it quits raining and it is completely dry.

While it may sound backwards, one of the best times to find a leak is when your roof completely dry out. Keep an eye out for things like mold in corners, unusually dark ceiling tiles, and damp insulation. You can use these things to guide you to the spot the leak is coming from.

Clean The Roof Before Working On It

When working on the roof yourself, make sure that the weather conditions are clear for your own safety. Hose off the shingles so you can have a clean workplace without a mess of leaves or other debris. You can also use the hose to find a leak in your roof.

Beware of Rooming Scams

To avoid a common scam roofing companies engage in, don't pay anything to your contractor until the supplies have been delivered. Some firms will ask for a down payment up front to cover their supplies, but you should pay them only once you have the supplies in hand so you get what you pay for.

Hope This Helped!

Hopefully, this article has helped you find out more about roofing. Many things that should be thought about have been discussed, and now the ball is in your court. It's time to make the right plans. Your roof is an important part of your home, and a huge part of protecting your family.

Roof inspections can be very dangerous, so it is important to be safe.

A tool rental company rents the safety harness you will need before getting onto the roof as well as the additional tools necessary to help you inspect the roof.

A tape measure for measurement and a pen and paper for calculation is a must.

There is additional safety information available at your local shingle supply warehouse.

Watch For Shingles Losing Granules and Color

A roof that has lost its granules and color is a roof that is in bad condition.

Often you can see the loss of granules in the gutter system and downspouts and if you notice bubbles or blisters on the outer surface of the roofing shingles, this is indicative of poor ventilation.

There should not be any streaking or discoloration of the shingles; if you notice a pattern of streaking or discoloration, then the roof has a problem with blue algae.

This fungus creates an issue for the fungus grows its roots into the matting of the shingle and causes the shingles to become porous.

Watch For Poor Roofing Ventilation System

You will need to evaluate your roof's ventilation system for any possible defects or damage.

Roof vents or ridge vents are made of metal and therefore you will need to make sure the metal is not damaged.

Ensure there are no dings or dents present for this would indicate hail damage.

The caulking should be intact and flush with the metal shingle on the roof

Watch Out For Problems With The Chimney

The simplest way to inspect the chimney on your roof is to look for cracks and openings at the wall line.

The shingles should lay flat against the metal flashing and it should not be rusted or damaged in any way plus the shingles should be in fair condition without any streaking or discoloration noted.

You can also inspect the interior portion of the chimney while inside of the attic.

If you notice water stains on the decking of the roof, then the water stains are indicative of an active or prior roof leak.

A moisture meter rented from a tool rental company can help you locate moisture inside the attic which would indicate roof leaks.

Watch Out For Problems Around Any Roofing Protrusion

The most common place for a roof system to leak is around a penetration that is coming through the substrate.

Plumbing pipes or HVAC pipes that are coming through the roof are usually the culprits for most roof damage.

Be sure to inspect each pipe for cracking, openings, and decayed material and if you should find any of the these, then roof repairs will need to be made.

Roofing cement should installed at the collar of each pipe.

If the cement is cracked or dried out, then the pipes will need to be re-sealed with new cement.

Check For The Number of Roofing Layers

Finally, you will need to assess how many roofing layers are on the existing substrate which can be achieved while standing at the bottom of the ladder.

Raise the bottom of the shingles while standing on the ladder and look for additional layers of roofing underneath the original roof.

There should not be more than two layers of shingles on any substrate and if you find more than two roof layers, the home will require a complete roof system installed.

All shingle manufacturers state that a home may have no more than two layers installed onto the roof structure.

For every builder, a house is deemed to be in the final stage when the roofing material has been installed and the final touches of decoration starts.

Now when it is the time for roofing, the builder will consider several factors before choosing the type of roofing material to use.

Here are some of the factors to consider.

Strength

This is the first factor to consider for the type of roofing material to use.

The material must be strong enough so as to give assurance of durability.

Resistance To Elements Of Weather

Superior roofing materials are the ones which can withstand several elements of weather such as extreme temperatures and precipitation.

Resistance to the elements of corrosion is another thing that is considered vital about roofs.

Appearance

For any material to be used for roofing, it must pass the test of time of creating an aesthetic house.

It should be attractive and appealing to the outsiders.

Since time immemorial, several roofing materials have been utilized depending on the type of house and the preference of the house owner.

When you go online to this website there are various roof types discussed including:

• Tile Shingles - Their uniqueness comes in terms of the long duration of lifespan of up to around eighty years. Although they are among the most expensive roofing materials, tile shingles have a very attractive appearance.
• Metal Roofs - These are applauded for their strength and durability and are highly applicable to houses with steep or flat roof lines. Metal roofs are estimated to live up to 50 years of age in good service.
• Asphalt Shingles - They are very popular in the building industry as they are very affordable. When asphalt shingles are coated, their lifespan is estimated to reach a maximum of thirty years.
• Slate Shingles - This is a roofing material which is composed of quarried elements. Slate shingles have a 50 years lifespan.
• Wood Shingles - Their natural aesthetic properties make them highly attractive and appealing. The hardwoods are known to live a duration of around 50 years.