By adding a yearly inspection to your calendar, you can avoid being a homeowner who finds themselves facing expensive roofing repairs. You have the option of inspecting the roof yourself or calling in the help of a roofing contractor.

There are ways you can inspect your own roof without climbing a ladder. We’re pointing out some of the more obvious signs around your home that can point you to potential issues with your roof. A couple of things that you could look for are caulking that has cracked, as well as any shingles that may appears as though they have buckled, blistered, curled, or be broken. If you find grit buildup from asphalt roofing tiles in or near the gutters, you need to have a professional involved immediately. This could be a sign that your roof is nearing the end of its life cycle and needs replacing before other issues arise.

Simple Roofing Repairs

When inspecting your roof, here are a few things you can look for:

• Damaged or Missing Shingles – If you find shingles that are damaged or missing, these should be replaced right away.
• Popped Up Nails – If you find nails that have come up, you should hammer them back into place.
• Seals Around the Flashing – If you find that the caulking around attic vents, chimneys, skylights, and the flashing is missing or peeling, you will want to re-caulk those areas immediately to prevent leaks.

Early Signs of Roof Leaks

It is very important that you check for the early signs of roof leaks. Some of these include:

• Dark spots on the ceilings
• Peeling paint and wallpaper
• Water stains on pipes and gutters
• Damp areas along your fireplace

If you notice any serious signs of roofing leaks, you need to arrange a professional roof inspection to prevent further damage to your home.

When to Call the Professionals

If you notice signs of leaks or other damages, it’s always best to call in the professionals. Most people aren’t comfortable climbing on top of the roof, and don’t have the skills required to perform proper repairs. Hiring a professional roofing contractor is always your best bet to ensure your safety.

When is Roof Replacement Needed

If the time has come to have your roof replaced, be sure to get more than one quote. Make sure the company you choose is fully bonded, licensed and insured. It’s always a good idea to ask friends and family for recommendations and follow up on any references you are given.

For more information on spotting problems with your roofing system, contact us today!

This scenario is much more common with big sites like shopping centers, churches, warehouses as well as other significantly large buildings. Subcontractors could also be employed if the roofing job involves working on a residential property. Some good examples include repairing chimneys, disposing of debris, as well as all-metal flashing.

It’s usually best to hire a roofing contractor who will work on his own to complete the job. If it’s too large a task, he may employ other workers, but having just one contractor usually ensures consistency and quality. Obviously, large jobs require there to be multiple workers, but residential projects can often be completed by one person. Another benefit of hiring the roofing contractor without sub-contractors is the cost involved. It’s almost always cheaper to use only one contractor. If he must pay other workers, that cost will be passed on to you as the customer and make the job more expensive to complete.

Because roofing is such a specialized skill, there are few general contractors who know everything needed to call themselves a roofing contractor and not just a general contractor. Most often, a team of workers is needed to complete a roofing job, so it is often finished ahead of other parts of the house.

By far, the roofing system is the most important part of any building. As such, regular maintenance is essential to get the most out of your roof and keep it in top shape for as long as possible. Roofing contractors know exactly what to look for in their inspections, and can then pass that info to you, the homeowner, so you can make informed decisions.

The weather plays a very large role in a roofing job. Things like heavy rain, snowfall, or wind can all have a huge impact on your roofing system, so it’s important to find a highly skilled roofing contractor who has handled large projects under these conditions.

Hiring a Contractor for a Simple Task

The best method for hiring a roofing contractor is to hire one for a minor repair or simple maintenance task and see if you are satisfied with the work. By getting them to do a basic task, you can learn a lot about them and test the waters a bit.

Request an Estimate

Many times, an estimate is free of charge or may only require a small fee. This will allow you to ask questions to determine their level of skill, professionalism, and experience.

Ask a Close Friend or Neighbor

Asking around will give you an idea of a company that may be highly recommended or one that should be avoided. Keep in mind that not all negative stories are true. It is possible that they had an unpleasant experience because they did not ask the appropriate questions before the contractor began.

Determine if They Use Subcontractors

If they hire subcontractors to do their work, there is a high probability that the cost of the job will be slightly higher than one who does not.

We hope that this guide will help you make an educated and informed decision when it comes to choosing your next roofing contractor. For more information on roofing contractors, inspections or maintenance, call us today!

• Water Stains
• Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
• Sagging Ceilings
• Mold
• Wet Spots
• Standing Water
• Damp Odors

Water will typically come into your home through damaged or missing shingles, vents, skylights, near the roofing planes, or any location in which the roof flashing is poorly secured or missing.

What is the Difference Between a Roof Leak and Condensation?

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between a roof leak and condensation is the size and location of the stain on you ceiling.

When you are dealing with condensation, you may see several small stains on your ceiling and not just one large stain. Typically, these stains with condensation are close to the exterior walls of your home and can develop without heavy rains or storms. The color of the stain associated with condensation is typically dark with a white center. If this is the case, you are most likely dealing with mold and that is a good indication of a condensation issue.

With a roof leak the stain could be located anywhere on the ceiling, including but not limited to the exterior walls of your home. With a true leaking roof, the opposite is true of the coloring of the stain. In this case, the stain will be darkest in the center and gets lighter as it moves across the ceiling. The darker the stain, the better the indication of how old the stain is and how long your roof could have been leaking. If you see dark stains on your ceiling, don’t delay in reaching out for professional help. The longer you wait to have the problem addressed, the more serious the problem could become.

What Causes My Ceiling to Sag?

If the leak in your roof is severe and allowing rainwater into your home, it will cause the ceiling to sag. This is caused by the build up of water on the ceiling materials. The ceilings in your home are made from a material that will break down when wet. When the water has come through the outer layer of the roof, it accumulates and causes the materials to break down and sag. If this happens, it is very important for the source of the water to be found and the water drained. Only then can the leak can be properly repaired.

Dealing with Mold

Mold is normally a pretty good indication of a roof leak or condensation. During a roof inspection, a professional will inspect the chimney and vents first because that is typically where the mold will start. One of the most common underlying causes of mold is a leak in the flashing of a metal roof. This type of leak is much easier to locate and fix as opposed to the typical leak found in shingles and tiles.

Once the inspector has determined that you have a leak, they will be able to trace the evidence you are seeing to the location of the leak on your roof. If you have traditional shingles, fixing the problem is an easy process. In most cases, the leak is coming from damaged shingles and tiles. In a case like this, you will simply need to replace the tiles or shingles and seal the edges with roofing cement.

Mold can be a serious matter, causing many potential health problems. If you suspect any mold issues, take immediate action and call in a roofing expert to address and repair the problem.

There are many causes for roof leaks, but most can be handled quickly if a professional oversees the job. For more information on spotting leaks or other problems with your roofing system, call us today!

Steps for staying safe during a do-it-yourself roof repair project:

• Think Carefully About Your Decision – If you are reading this post, you have probably thought through the various things that could go wrong. If you are not a roofing professional, there are many dangers you may not be aware of, so be sure you feel confident to handle the tools and ladders required for roof repairs.
• Wait for a Sunny Day – When it comes to a leaking roof, it’s always better to fix it sooner than later if possible. However, it’s always best to attempt roof repairs on a sunny and dry day. Even if it has rained earlier, you’ll want to make sure the ground is dry before placing ladders, etc. The risk of a fall is much greater because the roof will be slippery and not safe to walk on. This is also the case with snow and ice. If you have any hesitation about the safety of climbing onto the roof, please let a roofing professional come and do the job.
• Rubber-Soled Shoes Are Best – This may seem like an obvious step, but always make sure that you have shoes on with good traction. Rubber soles are best. Many people fall while doing simple roof repairs, and most of these falls are due to improper shoes.
• Wear a Roofing Harness – The small investment of a roofing harness could save your life. A roofing harness can be purchased or rented and is a must-have when doing roof repairs.
• Find a Friend to Help – We highly recommend that any roof work or repairs be done as a team. The other person will serve as a spotter and a second set of eyes. They may identify issues that you can’t see from your vantage point.

When it comes to roofing repair, your safety is the number one priority. Unless you have experience with roof repair, we suggest that you consider hiring an expert to help. Roofing repairs are not something that a typical homeowner can do, so if possible, allow a qualified roof contractor to come in and help get the job done right.
For more information on spotting roofing problems, please give us a call! We’re here to help.