Your roof is already several springs old, and you are considering doing some repair work soon? The beginning of the warm season is an excellent time to complete your roof inspection. A master roofer can direct you toward the best solution for your home and wallet. Sometimes it is not necessary to re-roof, and extending the life of your roof will be beneficial for you and the environment.
7 points to check
Creases
Minor wrinkles on an elastomeric membrane should not be a significant concern. On the other hand, major wrinkles should be subject to a detailed inspection.
Cracks
Any membrane cracks should be repaired promptly. As the word implies, a crack will let water in, and you could end up with major problems. There are many causes, but when the roof is new, it is often due to too much snow removal. For an aging roof, you have to think that a membrane will be less elastic with the years and will tend to crack. You will need to watch this closely in the summer, as the heat will cause various expansion movements that can lead to cracking.
Loss of granules
The granules on membranes and shingles protect the asphalt from excessive heat. If the layer becomes too thin or missing, you will have to consider adding gravel, doing partial resurfacing or changing the roof entirely.
Fish mouth
Are one or more of your shingles warped and leaving a gaping hole? It’s a problem that needs to be addressed right away. We will have to find the cause of the curling and replace the damaged shingles.
Adhesion and expansion problem
With the return of warm weather, you may notice that the membranes are expanding. The cause is probably due to the poor installation of the insulation panels. This should be corrected.
Metal-edged flashings for flat roofs can also expand and tear the membranes.
Corrosion
Metal roofs have a longer life span than other materials. Their weak point is corrosion. Don’t let your heritage be damaged, and act quickly. In summer, removing the corrosion and repainting the damaged areas will be easier.
Metal flashings are also very sensitive to corrosion. Do not hesitate to repaint them regularly.
Locate potential leaks
All asphalt components are bound to crack sooner or later. As mentioned above, heat and temperature variations cause materials to dry out. Therefore, you will need to pay special attention to roof components that require caulking. Don’t hesitate to re-seal after the cold seasons.
To get the most out of your roof, you can do your maintenance or leave it to the professionals. Roofing prevention can make a big difference in your budget in the long run.
Do you need a team that knows its stuff? Toiture Union is a certified Master Roofer by the APCHA, and we can help you with general roof maintenance; contact us.
