The roof is one of the most important components of a building structure. It is also one of the most expensive components. It is one of the first line of defense against the elements like heavy rain and major storms. Routine roof maintenance will help to protect your building structure, to protect your investment and to prolong the life of your roof. It is important to pay attention to any signs of potential roof damage. Roof damage should be addressed with the proper repairs in a timely manner. Unaddressed roof damage can lead to serious consequences like continued deterioration, water intrusion, water damage and expensive property damage.
Roof Maintenance
Neglect is one of the worst things we can do to our property. Long term roof neglect can lead to serious damage and deterioration that will compromise the rest of your build structure. It is important for Ohio homeowners to commit to routine roof and property maintenance. Cleveland property owners and property managers should conduct regular maintenance checks at least twice a year. Roof maintenance checks afford an opportunity for early detection of potential roofing issues and allow time for correction before things get worse. After all, your roof is an expensive investment and proper maintenance will ensure you get the longest use out of it.
- Roof Flashing: Roof flashing problems are some of the most common roofing issues that can leave your roof vulnerable to moisture intrusion. Flashing issues are often an easy fix as long as you know about the issue. Make sure that all flashing is tightly and properly installed around chimneys, vents, skylights, and wall/roof junctions.
- Gutter & Downspouts: Gutters and downspouts need to be clean, free of debris, and in good condition in order to effectively collect and direct water down and away from the building structure. Poorly maintained, clogged or blocked gutters and downspouts can lead to roof damage. Water can back up under your roof shingles and other roofing materials. Blocked gutters during the winter can freeze and form ice dams. In addition to water backup, this can impose a great deal of weight that can lead to additional roof damage.
- Shingles: Missing, torn, or otherwise damaged shingles need to be immediately removed and replaced. Missing or torn shingles can leave sections of your roof vulnerable to water damage, wood rot and additional property damage. If not remedied immediately, the problem is likely to spread to nearby shingles and escalate to additional deterioration.
- Ventilation: Effective ventilation through the roof helps to prevent moisture buildup within the attic space. Without proper ventilation and air circulation, humid air can get trapped under the roof and leave behind accumulated moisture. Make sure all your roof vents are clear and in good condition. Blocked vents and moisture buildup can lead to damaged rafters, sheathing issues, wood rot, buckling shingles and insulation damage.
- Landscaping: Be strategic about your landscaping and make sure it is well-maintained. You should keep trees and bushes away from your home when possible. Trees and bushes provide damp shade for moss and algae to grow on moist wood shingles and shakes. They can hold more moisture to a roof system’s surface, causing rot and deterioration. If you must have the trees and bushes, make sure they are trimmed away from your home. It will help to eliminate damp, shaded areas. Neatly groomed trees and bushes will help to avoid scratching and gouging of the roof surface by branches. It will also limit the chance of loose branches falling into the gutters and causing a blockage.
- Roof Inspections: Schedule roof inspections with a professional roofer. A trained roof professional will have the necessary skills, tools and experience to spot potential roof damage in its early stages, so you can properly address it before it leads to additional property damage.
Roof Damage Assessment
During your maintenance checks, keep your eyes peeled for signs of roof damage. Early detection of minor roof problems can save you from severe roof damage later down the line.
Outdoor Assessment:
Often times, missing or damaged shingles or other roof damage will be in plain sight. Unfortunately, we simply tend to overlook them because we are not actively seeking them out, or we just don’t know where to look. Depending on the volume of damage, a roof repair may be a sufficient fix. However, if the damage seems significant, you might need to consider replacing the whole roof.
During your outdoor roof assessment, you should pay close attention to the chimney, ventilation pipes, roof flashing, gutters and fencing. All of these can get damaged and affect the condition of your roof.
Things To Look For:
- Deteriorating shingles- Curling edges, cupping, cracking, tearing, or completely missing shingles may be indicators of a failing roof.
- Check for “bald spots” or discoloration in your shingles left by missing granules.
- Dislodged Shingle Granules- With wear and tear, the textured coating on shingles tend to break off over time.
- Shingle granules in your gutters- Dislodged granules can end up in your gutters.
- Flashing- Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes. Flashing is also often found in the valleys where roof sections meet. Check for tears or buckling around roof penetrations. Rusting, tearing, buckling, or missing flashing can allow water leaks.
- Chimneys- Check for leaning, loose or missing flashing, damaged bricks, cap or cracked joints. Chimney flashing is especially prone to tearing because a chimney settles independently from the house.
- Gutters- Look for decay or rust, leaky seams, loosely attached to structure, bent or sagging, missing sections of gutter or downspout. Clogged gutters can easily freeze shut and cause excessive weight on gutter fasteners, ice dam conditions, and slippery walks below.
- Soffit & ridge vents- Look for clogged or damaged vents. Check the flashing and shingles around them for signs of damage.
Indoor Assessment:
Conduct regular checks for signs of moisture. Staining, discoloration or peeling paint on walls and/or ceiling could all point to water intrusion originating from a damaged roof.
- Do not forget to routinely check the attic for damp rafters or leaks.
- Sudden surges in energy costs could be a sign that your roof ventilation has been compromised, and your air units are working harder to compensate.
Roof Leaks & Water Damage
A poorly maintained roof or neglected roof damage can leave your Ohio home vulnerable to significant water intrusion via roof leaks. Roof leaks can destroy your interior building materials, compromise the structural integrity of your home, and lead to potential indoor mold growth. As a Cleveland homeowner, you can help to prevent water damage caused by roof leaks. Proper roof maintenance and routine roof assessments can help to prevent serious and expensive damage.
In some cases, roof damage is a rapid occurrence that is most likely inevitable. In those cases, all the maintenance in the world might be futile. In the event of major water intrusion due to serious and sudden roof damage, you might need to recruit the help of an emergency water damage cleanup company. If you have been hit with serious water damage, a water damage restoration company will have the necessary equipment to handle the water damage cleanup and restore ideal indoor conditions.
