A roof protects your house from rain, snow, sunlight, and temperature extremes. A damaged roof can leak and cause damage to the interior of your home.
Replacing an entire roof can drastically impact the look of your property. Repairing is a more subtle option to keep your property’s aesthetics intact. Visit https://www.ellingsonroofing.com/ to learn more.
Shingles are a key component of the roof, protecting your house from heat, cold, and moisture. However, like many other aspects of the home, shingle roofs require ongoing maintenance and repair to keep them in good condition. A well-functioning shingle roof keeps water from seeping into the house, which could cause damage to walls, floors, furniture, and other structural components. It also protects you and your family from mold and mildew, which can negatively impact health. For these reasons, it’s important to prioritize shingle roof repair and inspections on the same level as you prioritize other repairs for your home.
Whether it’s from the weather or from animals, damaged or missing shingles are a sign that your roof needs to be repaired immediately. A shingle roof repair contractor can replace your shingles quickly and efficiently to prevent further damage from the elements and other problems such as leaks.
When it comes to shingles, the most obvious signs of damage are cracking, chipping, or a loss of granules. These are a surefire sign that you need to schedule an appointment with your roof repair expert, as the problem can get worse if not addressed in time.
There are also more serious issues that can occur if you don’t take care of your shingle roof, such as mossy areas, a droopy roof, or rotting boards. These problems can lead to moisture entering the home, which can cause mold, fungi, and other health issues for your family.
Another concern with shingle roofs is the risk of shingles rash. This is a painful condition that can appear anywhere on the body, but is most often found in a band around the waist. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and can also cause eye complications like vision loss or ringing in the ears. It can be very painful, especially in elderly people.
While it may not be as critical as the other parts of your roof, repairing and maintaining shingles is essential to the overall health of your home. By regularly inspecting and addressing issues with shingles, you can extend the life of your roof, as well as the other materials it is made up of.
Built-up roofing (BUR)
Built-up roofing (BUR) is a flat or low-slope roofing system that’s primarily used on commercial structures. It’s durable, fire-resistant, and cost-effective — plus it can last up to 40 years if properly maintained and installed by an experienced commercial roofer.
A BUR roof has multiple layers of ply sheets, which are then covered with asphalt. It starts with a base layer built directly on top of the building’s insulation or cover board, followed by several layers of fiberglass felt and hot asphalt (or sometimes cold-processed adhesives). The final layer is an aggregate surface that protects the roof from moisture, provides traction for foot traffic, and helps reflect sunlight to keep the building cool.
BUR roofs are also highly versatile and can be customized for different climates and buildings. For example, a built-up roof can be topped with a reflective cap sheet to reduce energy costs, while a hybrid system incorporates two or more plies of BUR with a polymer-modified bitumen membrane for additional water and UV protection.
The layered design of a BUR roof creates a monolithic structure that resists penetrations, stress points, and leaks. The layers adhere to each other, which eliminates the need for fasteners and improves wind resistance. In addition, a BUR roof can be adapted to include insulation materials, which can boost energy efficiency and lower heating and cooling costs.
However, despite the many benefits of a BUR roof, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before selecting this type of roof. If the wrong system is chosen for your building, you may end up wasting money or facing expensive repair bills down the road.
It’s also critical to understand the maintenance requirements of a BUR roof and how it compares to other roofing types. It’s important to perform regular inspections and repairs to prevent major damage and prolong the life of your roof. These routine tasks can include inspecting the roof for leaks, repairing cracks or holes, cleaning gutters and drains, removing debris, pruning overhanging plants and trees, and making any other necessary adjustments.
A well-maintained BUR roof is a strong investment that can provide significant returns for your business. Its durability, cost-effectiveness, and protective properties make it a compelling option for any building owner. It’s essential to carefully vet contractors and understand the installation, cost, and warranty details of a roof before making a decision.
Flashing
Flashing is a thin piece of metal that prevents water leaks around the most critical areas of your roof. Roofing experts install it where the roof plane butts against penetrations like chimneys and dormers as well as at joints and valleys. Without it, rain would seep into these crevices and cause a range of problems including wood rot, mold growth, interior leaks, and premature roof failure.
Roof flashing is most often made of a durable material such as aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper. The type of flashing used is based on the location and design of the joint or penetration, as well as its function. For example, apron flashing is an L-shaped piece of metal that protects the base of a wall or other vertical face where it meets the roof. Step flashing is a series of rectangles of metal bent into an L-shape and nailed together to line the gap between a roof and a wall or chimney.
Other types of flashing include kickout flashing, which is installed along the roof edge where a wall or other vertical surface meets the roof; counterflashing, which is placed under a run of base flashing and secured to the shingle below; eave flashing, which protects the area under a gable end; and valley flashing, which reliably channels rainwater down the slope of your roof to the gutters.
During the initial roof installation process, roofing professionals carefully place flashing in these vulnerable areas to ensure it is properly protected. However, flashing isn’t indestructible and may require repair or replacement in the future. If you want to protect your roof and your home from leaks, you should consider contacting a professional roofing contractor in your area with extensive experience in the installation and repair of flashing. It’s also important to always follow safe practice when getting on the roof and working on the flashing. Unskilled DIY repairs on the roof can lead to costly and potentially dangerous damage.
Gutters
Gutters are a crucial part of your roof system. They protect your home from costly damage by channeling rainwater away from the foundation, siding, fascia and soffit. They also prevent soil erosion, minimize flooding and preserve landscaping features. They also help maintain a dry basement and prevent water seepage through the foundation, which can be damaging to your home’s structure and expensive to repair.
Clogged gutters prevent water from flowing properly off the roof, which can lead to structural damage, leaks and mold/mildew issues. If left unchecked, clogged gutters can also cause the foundation of your home to erode, leading to water damage and potentially a flooded basement.
Regular gutter maintenance can extend the life of your roof and help you avoid costly repairs. Over the Top Roofing & Restoration’s experienced team can clean your gutters and ensure they are working properly to protect your roof and property from water damage.
Gutter systems consist of a series of connected pipes called downspouts that carry rainwater from the roof to the ground or into a stormwater drainage system. Most gutters are attached to the eave of your roof. Some types of gutters include:
Gutters are important because they help keep water from pooling on your roof, which can cause rot and leaks. In addition, they can reduce the chance of ice dams forming in winter and destroying your roof.
Gutter cleaning is a necessary maintenance activity for most homes, and should be done at least twice per year. To make the job safer and easier, consider hiring a professional. They will use a ladder that rests on the roof instead of leaning it against the gutters themselves, which can be more difficult to maneuver when full of debris.
Gutters are often overlooked because many homeowners don’t think about them until they begin to sag. The good news is that sagging gutters are easy to fix and don’t require major plumbing or roof work. A simple solution is to remove the gutter section, clean it and reinstall it. This gives you the opportunity to take a closer look at the condition of the gutter, including any cracks, and to decide whether it needs to be replaced.