Summer is typically a time when you see people making roofing repairs. Sounds familiar, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be! Some preventative action and basic maintenance could save you time and money on major roof repairs. At Christian Brothers Roofing, we specialize in roofing repair and we’re happy to share some tips for avoiding these costly fixes.
Problem Areas
Knowing your roof’s problem-prone areas is an essential part of homeownership. Protecting and checking these areas is one of the easiest ways to avoid expensive leak repairs. “The most likely places where you will get a roof leak are a chimney, plumbing vent flashing, ice dams, skylights, wall step flashings, furnace shingles, fields of shingles and missing shingles,” reported a home improvement blog. Assuming your roof isn’t in a state of total disrepair, there are some simple ways you can protect these areas.
Industry experts recommend using a high-grade sealant to caulk the area surrounding your home’s pipes and vents. This is important, because it can help avoid destructive rusting. You’ll also want to make sure your gutters are thoroughly cleaned, because left unattended, they can become clogged and cause water damage to your roof.
Pipes
Pipes are another area that require special attention. Areas like the collars and flashings can be very problematic. When evaluating these areas, we suggest you do the following:
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Inspect metal flashings at walls for corrosion and proper installation.
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Inspect rubber boots at top of pipes for dry rot and deterioration.
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Inspect storm collars at pipes for proper seal.
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Inspect all pipe flashings for cracks.
If you find an issue throughout your visual survey, it’s best to repair it immediately. This should allow you to prevent any major threats to your roof.
Regular Inspections
One of the easiest ways to identify roof-related issues is through visual inspection. After all, the more you check your roof, the more likely you are to stay ahead of any major issues. “Call a professional if you see streaking stains on the shingles, curled or buckled shingles, areas on the roof missing granules or rusted flashings. Water stains in the attic or moss or mold on the roof are also signs of potential problems,” advises a Huffington Post article.
Need some professional assistance? Give Christian Brothers Roofing a call — we’re experts!
