The roof protects and shelters the inhabitants of a home from external elements. It also protects the valuables in your home from weather problems. Even though roofs are constructed for protective purposes, they can be damaged due to bad weather. The problem with roof damage is that it is challenging to identify these problem areas on the roof– after all, you can barely see up there from the ground, right? Most people hire professionals to climb up on their roof and inspect it. That’s a good idea after a long winter.
Trying to get your house ready for a new season? How can you detect and repair roof damage this Spring? Here are some thoughts…
Inspect And Fix Damages On Your Shingles
You can hire a roof inspector to inspect damaged, missing or worn shingles. Some noticeable signs that there’s a problem include missing shingles, shingles with loose hardware and broken or damaged shingles. Professionals can install new shingles, tighten loosened hardware, etc. If you choose to do the work yourself, be careful up there and maintain safety precautions.
Ensure The Gutters Are Cleared And Fixed
Before checking for damaging signs in your gutter, make sure you clear out all deposited debris or dirt. You can carry out this task by yourself, but use a sturdy ladder to climb onto the roof to clear the debris by hand. If you cannot do it by yourself, hire a professional to do this work for you. After clearing specks of dirt from the gutter, you can run water to observe leaks or clogs in the downspouts. After looking for leaks, check if the gutter is properly connected outside your home– it shouldn’t be loose or unattached from the home. If there is a bad connection, you will suffer water damage on the walls of your home during Spring, and this can compromise the structure of your building. You can also suffer mildew and mold problems that can cause sickness to every member of your household. If you are having any leakage in your gutter after clearing it, you should install a new gutter immediately.
Do Not Overlook Your Flashing
Most homeowners are ignorant about the usefulness of their flashing, but it is a vital part of a roofing system. The flashing is a slim material, set up around important areas of the roof. It functions by directing water away from the house. Hence, it prevents water damage due to leakage.
You might observe visible problems such as cracks, holes and some missing pieces. This is often caused by accumulated damage occurring during the winter. Another thing that can cause damage to your home’s flashing is the limited flow of water. Therefore, you can replace the flashing to prevent leakage. Also, ensure that water flows freely and toward the exterior of the house.
Check Your Roof’s Chimney
Just like the flashing, the chimney is an important part of the roofing system, and it can cause structural damage if it is absorbing water. You can detect a damaged chimney by checking for build-ups of white stains. When the chimney absorbs water, it leads to leakage and stains. You can repair the chimney by fixing the external seals.
Deal With Your Roof Attic
You can detect an indication of damage in your attic from the interior of your home. Use a flashlight to inspect it. Look for holes, cracks, ventilation and sagging problems. If these signs exist, repair your roof as soon as possible.
Address Stains On The Walls
Never ignore wall stains. Your roof may not be ready for Spring if there are noticeable stains. Large watermarks can cause moisture problems that are unhealthy. The reason for these water stains on the wall may be due to heavy rainfall or snow buildup on the roof resulting from the cold season. Winter weather can cause a tear in the roof, which may lead to excessive leakage. The stains on the wall are not often observed until the weather becomes a bit warmer, so it is easy to identify this sign and repair your roof around the start of Spring.
Inspect And Repair Your Roof’s Ventilation
A drastic change in temperature can affect the roof’s ventilation system. You can detect this damage by inspecting the roof’s interior. If there are draft signs beneath the ceiling, call your roof inspector to check the ceiling and the roof because that could be a sign of leakage at its forming stage.
Conclusion
To get your home ready for Spring, inspect your roof. Problems with your roof can be fixed to avoid roof damages. Some roof problems are linked to the gutters, attic, ventilation system and/or chimney. Call the roofing experts at Born Carpentry to get your roof and home Spring ready. Call 612-747-8003 for more information.
