The roof is the topmost structure of the house. It is the covering that seals the house from the effect of weather and climate like rain, snow or hail. The inhabitants can stay safely inside the house in a controlled atmosphere if the roof is strong. The roof also has to bear the brunt of harsh weather and climate and becomes weakened over time. However, problems in the roof can be actively detected with the help of professional roof inspection services that minutely check the roof for any hint of problems.
Understanding the factors that cause damage to the roof over time
The roof protects the house and is the topmost cover of the dwelling place. The roof is made so that nothing enters the house from the top. The natural elements are prevented from disrupting the warm and cozy atmosphere of the house. Hence it is understandable that weather is a prime factor that causes erosion and damage to the roofs. A pointwise delineation of roof problems caused by known factors is discussed below:
- Precipitation
Precipitation can be in the form of incessant downpours or heavy snowing. In both cases, the roof takes the pressure of the rain and also the accumulated snow. The slope of the roof also plays a vital role in this regard. If the roof is sloped in an inclined manner, then precipitation cannot cause heavy damage to the roof, but if the roof is flat, then water stagnation or snow accumulation can cause the roof to develop leaks or cracks.
- Stormy winds
Strong winds can have a huge impact on roofs. The force of the wind can bend the shingles on the roof causing the exposure of the underlayment. Sometimes high winds can completely shatter a roof.
- Lack of clean drainage pipes
The pipes that are supposed to drain away water from the roof and move it away from the house need to function properly. However, if the pipes are blocked or clogged, then water will not be drained in a proper manner which will lead to the creation of a pool on the roof which will damage the upper layer of the roof. If damage breaches the upper layer, then it will start creating damp spots on the ceiling and eventually lead to total roof damage.
- Neglecting the health of the roof
When a roof is installed, it is important to search for a roofing contractor near me and get the roof checked at least once a year to ensure that there is no substantial damage. It is true that minor repairs might be needed on a periodic basis, but if these minor repairs are left undone, then the health of the roof begins to drop. Some people completely ignore the condition of the roof and do not opt for early health checks about the roof of the house. The result of this ignorance is the damage which threatens the whole structure of the house as well as can also lead to roof collapse.
- Not opting for quality service providers for roof checking
Any examiner can not check the roof. There are specific service providers who have professional individuals. They are trained and certified to conduct roof inspections. In today’s world, many shady service providers claim to do the task of roof inspection. However, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to check the authenticity and reputation of the service provider. If a person opts for roof inspection without checking the background of the service provider, then problems are bound to crop as everyone is not trained to detect hidden problem areas.
Hence, many reasons damage the roof, and if a person does not take action in a timely fashion then the damage will become irreparable, and then the only option that will be left is to install a new roof.
The scenario when damage control is no longer feasible
New roofs are often built by removing the old roof of the house. In cases of roof replacement, the condition of the present roof is beyond any suitable repair. The construction of a new roof requires a substantial sum of money. If the roof is heavily damaged then obviously spending money on a new roof is better then wasting money on repairing a heavily damaged roof.
For an individual, it is important to understand the precise condition of the roof, and it is not always possible to ascertain the condition just by observing the roof superficially. Roof inspection services of Klaus Roofing In Colorado Springs provide the clients with detailed information regarding the condition of the roof along with snapshots of the damaged areas. The roof inspector will be able to detail the damage and also provide advice to the client regarding the best method for dealing with that damage.
If there are damp patches or cracks in one or two places, then patching can be done along with the elimination of the source that is causing the seepage of moisture. Sometimes replacing the shingles helps in fixing the problem. However, if the problem of the roof is beyond repair then the only route left for the property owner is to replace the roof of the dwelling. Usually, a well-built roof lasts for many years, but if the roof suffers from a wrong slope gradient or is left in a damaged condition for a long time, then the stage of no repair will be reached with a few years. Therefore it is important to remain alert about the condition of the roof so that problems are averted and not multiplied.
Knowing the situation where roof inspection is necessary
The inspection of roofs can be chosen as a service by any homeowner in order to ensure the health of the roof on a yearly basis. It is best to have at least two health checkups of the roof in a year but if that is not possible then getting the roof checked once in a year is mandatory. When people are buying a new dwelling from another property owner and if the purchased property is not new then getting the roof and other parts of he checked by a professional roof inspector is a suitable decision. Firstly, it will help the purchaser to know the real condition of the property and if there are inconsistencies present in the description of the property given by the owner and the report given by the roof inspector then the prospective purchaser can ask the property owner to either solve the problems highlighted in the inspection report or lower the price of the property if the damage has to be repaired by the purchaser. However, if too much damage is present, it is best to avoid buying that property until and unless one is sure that it is a good deal for him/her.
The tasks conducted by service providers that deal with roofing
Townhome roofing simply does not involve installing or replacing parts of the damaged roof. A service provider that functions as a roofing company does multiple tasks. The prime task is the conduction of roof inspections. The inspections are carried out by individuals who have expertise in this field. The inspection of the roof includes the following tasks:
- The thorough observation of the ceiling area which includes the outer and inner walls is done so that nothing is left unchecked. Sometimes the inner walls show cracks which are caused by pressure from the roof and these cracks should be not just be repaired, but the roof problems causing these cracks have to be found out and rectified.
- The detection of damp spots in the ceiling or moisture accumulation is done because moisture leads to crumbling of walls. The seepage of water cellar points out that leaks have developed which will also affect the HVAC system installed in the house.
- Checking the condition of the shingles and taking pictures of broken or damaged parts is also important as the absence of the shingles will allow the elements to damage the roof substantially.
- Checking for corrosion of the metal pipes that are present in the roof area is carried out as corrosion of metal structure is caused by moisture, and therefore rust clearly indicates the seepage of water, and if the metal structures become rusted, then it will break due to pressure.
- Detecting problems in the slope of the roof and the drainage pipes which are attached to the roof. The pipes can get clogged due to debris and due to wrong slope gradient and if the pipes are not cleared then it will affect the health of the roof.
- Checking the condition of the flashing present in the chimney walls. The chimney is a vent present for releasing smoke, but if the flashing that is present for sealing the inward flow of rain and snow is damaged, then the roof will start to degrade.
Hence, roof inspections are extremely vital, and a person should always opt for quality roof inspection services for getting the roof checked.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.