February
13
The roof is a building’s primary defense against fire, rain, wind, ice, hail, snow, and high temperatures. It’s the most vulnerable part of the entire structure. Battling the elements takes its toll on your roof, and this wear and tear causes decay and deterioration over time, if left unchecked. Skywalker roofing systems last an average of 20 years, depending on the type of building, what it’s used for and the quality of your roof maintenance program.
Why Roof Maintenance is Important
Roof maintenance is important for many reasons including retaining the integrity of the original design, reducing the risk of structural damage to the property, saving money with timely repairs, providing optimal protection for the building occupant and contents and identifying major problems as quickly as possible.
The first step to maintaining the roof design is a periodic inspection to identify where repairs are needed. Selecting a qualified roof company is just as important.
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Inspections
Regular roof design maintenance inspections every six months reveal problems and include a plan for addressing any issues as early as possible. Be sure to get a roof inspection after a hurricane or severe to identify structural damage as early as possible. One of the primary concerns is anything that can cause a leak.
While the inspection is performed, the roof company will remove accumulated debris, such as leaves and branches. Trim trees that are close to the building to prevent them from rubbing against the roof and depositing leaves on the roof and drainage systems.
In hurricane prone areas, a roof maintenance inspection must include the gutter straps that secure gutters against updrafts and high winds.
Make sure rooftop vents and equipment are well sealed and seal gaps with flashing cement. If the metal flashing is too badly damaged or vents wiggle, they need to be replaced.
Common Roof Design Maintenance
Flashing, gutter and downspouts are the most common maintenance components. Flashing, if not installed correctly, can allow water to seep into the building. Flashing maintenance involves replacing deteriorated sections and regularly caulking the seams and edges to prevent water intrusion. Gutters and downspouts clog and cause water buildup on the roof. Pools of water can lead to leaks if left to build up over time. Proper maintenance and roof repair can prevent major leaks from happening.
Broken, missing and loose roof shingles need to be replaced immediately. Your roof contractor identifies and replaces shingles with blisters, cracks, curling or warping. The soffit is under the eaves of the building and connects the side of the building to the edge of the roof. Dry rot damage can lead to water intrusion into the building. Portions of the soffit may need to be repaired or replaced to prevent long-term damage.
Making regular repairs can prevent fire and water damage. Vents are one common area where leaks can occur if not properly maintained. In general, checking all components where seams meet or where there’s an opening is important to the valuable life of your roof..
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How to Choose a Roof Contractor
Do your homework before deciding on a roof company to take care of your building. This will become part of your facilities maintenance plan. So, you need to protect yourself financially, legally and administratively.
Only use a roof contractor licensed or bonded for work in NC. Ask for a copy of their certificate of insurance to make sure it includes liability and worker’s compensation.
Obtaining several bids from established contractors gives you greater choice. Checking references should narrow down the options. A company with both residential and commercial services demonstrates a wider range of experience with the myriad of roofing designs and materials on the market – chemical, wood, ceramic and other high-tech options.
Find out the design and material of your roof so that you can target your questions more effectively. Also, contact references with similar roofing design and maintenance needs for best results. When you collect bids, make sure that the estimates include all work that may be needed, including materials and labor.
Skywalker Roofing is a trusted roof contractor in NC, trust them for all your roofing design maintenance needs.
