When you get down to it, a good roof is all that stands between your home and family and the damaging rain, snow, and wind of winter.
To keep a sound roof over your head, inspect your roof twice a year to stop damage before it starts. Here are some hints on what to watch for:
- Leaky, inadequate or deteriorated flashing (the metal used to seal bends and joints around vents, skylights, chimneys and so on) can lead to water damage in the house. Look for holes, tears or buckling in the flashing. Experts estimate more than 90 percent of roofing leaks occur in these areas.
- Next, look for any damaged, loose or missing shingles or any that have blistered or buckled.
- Make sure shingles are firmly secured and sealed to the roof, especially around the roof edge where wind, driving rain and ice dams (when water freezes and backs up under the roofing system) can do a good deal of damage.
- Inspect and clean gutters, leaders, window wells and drains of all leaves and debris and make sure gutters are firmly secure to the house. Direct downspouts away from the foundation and clean them of any debris.
- If you see any dark, "dirty-looking" areas on your roof it could mean algae growth.
Keeping a good roof means starting with quality materials and keeping up with an effective maintenance program done by a professional roofing contractor. This can save you time, money and trouble, prevent costly repairs and prolong the life of your roof.
To help prevent leaks, moisture seepage and decay problems, check your roof for weak areas.
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