Roof designs can worsen from regular wear, as well as extreme weather conditions like snow loads and wind; building movement like material expansion/contraction, settlement; and unfitting design, maintenance, and construction.
A roof repair that is not dealt with after the first signs of damage can result in expanded deterioration to the building’s interior and envelope finishes. Damages of structural integrity can threaten residents' safety. For these reasons, it is better to inspect your roof often. Vancouver, WA Roofing contractors or roofing companies know everything about roof repair, roof replacements, and other related roofing needs. Similarly, a roofing company knows exactly what to look for during the roof inspection.
In this article, we have listed down the top 10 things that a roofing business owner should look for during a roof inspection.
When is the Perfect Time to Schedule Roof Inspections?
It is quite tricky to know exactly when you should seek help from top roofing contractors in Vancouver Washington. Well, you can call them after a natural disaster like a hurricane, storm, tornado, or other powerful weather events. Maximum homeowner resources understand the need for a comprehensive roof inspection to decide if their roof suffered deterioration or not. But that should not be the only time you should consider the health of your flat roof.
Fall is the most important time of the year to have a roof inspection done (just before the chilliness of winter sets in). Remember, timing is the key here. Freezing temperatures can decrease the success rate of the installations of a new roof and other roof work, such as roof cleaning and shingle replacement, since new shingles cannot seal down appropriately when it is too chilly outside. Furthermore, attempting roof repairing on freezing roofs can be dangerous. If roof issues are discovered too late in Winter, it might lead to waiting until Spring to come to repair the roof.
Another reason for scheduling a roof inspection in the Fall is to ensure that specific roof repairs must can be finished in a timely manner which is the next Spring. This consists, of treatment for lichen and moss. The resolutions utilized for either of these problems can require an ample amount of time to become effective, often up to 6 months to see the results. If lichen or moss are found during the Fall season, there is still a possibility to repair them before freezing weather sets in. After that, the cure can be operating during those long winter months and your roofer in Vancouver, WA can sweep or rinse the lichen off in the Spring. Contact top contractors in Vancouver, WA for a full roof inspection.
Things Roofers in Vancouver Washington Should Look for During a Roof Inspection
A roof check is among those preventive maintenance jobs that are easy to put on the backburner. Consider scheduling a roof inspection at least a once-a-year in Vancouver, WA by reputable roofing contractors or roofing companies. During this process, a roofing company sends someone to your home to inspect the roof and then offer you best price for quality work to ensure that you are making a well-informed purchasing decision for your roof.
Here is a list of things that roofing contractors or roofing companies check for during their roofing inspection.
Roof Material Inspections Before Roof Repair
The roofing company will send roofing contractors to look for loose, curling, or missing shingles, as well as moss, stains, rust, and missing fasteners or flashing. Similarly, the inspector will check the seals and rubber boots around vent pipes, checking for gaps or damage.
After the completion of the inspection, the inspector will suggest appropriate services for your roof so that you can make a smart choice for your unique roofing needs.
Roofing Contractors Should Perform a Structural Inspection
A roofing inspector should look for signs of sagging roofs and uneven roof planes, as well as inspect the condition of the fascia, soffit, and gutter system. The contractor should inspect the masonry chimneys at this time to look for crumbling grout, cracks, and deterioration to the chimney caps.
The roofing inspector should also look for venting in the attic. Inappropriate venting can cause moisture and heat build-up that decreases the roof lifespan and expands the chance of ice barriers forming at the edge of your roof.
Workmanship Inspection by the Roofing Company
An experienced inspector should review your roof for issues in workmanship that may expand the risks of leakage or other roof deterioration in the future.
Faulty flashing around the roof penetrations—containing skylights, chimneys, and vent pipes—will all be dangerous if left untreated.
Interior Inspection Before Roof Replacements
The interior inspection is needed because leaky roofs will damage the interior of your home. Thus, the inspector should check the interior ceilings, interior walls, and the attic looking for signs of mold, water stains, rot, and other signs that moisture is making its route into your home.
Check for Ponding Water
The inspector should look for signs of ponding water by assessing slow-draining areas and lines that are clogged. There might be discolored stains or changes on the roof near drains where water has sat. This inspection will identify if any underlying deterioration has been generated because of standing water.
Check the Ground for Tears or Cracks
A comprehensive commercial assessment of the roof ground will identify indications of tears or cuts in your roofing design that will need to be located before structural deterioration is incurred. If the inspector feels there's an existing leakage in the ground but is unable to identify it immediately, a “flood test” can be done for tracking down any deterioration.
Check for Flashing
The contractor should look at the flashing details such as walls, curbs, and stacks. Their purpose is to discover any crevices or cracks that can be repaired before the Winter comes around.
Cracks, as well as other damages are more common near transition points. This is especially frequent in places where the flashing goes from flat to vertical as there is more stress on these areas of the building. If any flashing problems are identified it is best to get it fixed before the weather cools down.
Check Terminations in the Parapet Walls
The inspector should check the terminations on the parapet walls; these must be adequately sealed. Your professional inspector should check the wall's base to see if there are any indications of cracking or damage. Make sure these problems are addressed to control much more extensive deterioration down the line.
Inspect the Gutters
Drains and gutters can play a vital role in ponding water and will need to be inspected.
If your gutters are blocked, water will be likely pool on the roof.
Although ponding water on PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) roof membranes won't void your guarantee and there is less potential for deterioration to occur, it's still not advised to be left untreated. On other types of roofs, particularly those that are asphalt-based, ponding water can immediately cause roof damage, especially throughout the Winter season. To stop this from occurring, remove any residue that has been collected in your gutters.
Inspect Edge Details
Your roofing inspection should include looking at the edge details of the roof. Roof edge materials must be tied down tightly. If they are not tied done tightly, a detailed inspection will be needed to adequately confirm if anything coming loose to seal gaps will let elements inside.
BOTTOM LINE
After the assessment, the inspector should offer a thorough report regarding the condition of the roof as well as what repairs, if any, are required to keep the roof in good shape.
If repairs are required, schedule them ASAP—before Winter. Thus, when snow falls, homeowners can feel comfortable that their roof is in good condition.