Sliding/Missing Tiles
Sliding or missing tiles can be unsightly, but there is a more important reason to get them fixed promptly. Sliding or missing tiles expose your roof’s underlayment to the harsh UV rays of the sun which cause damage. What is the underlayment you ask? The underlayment is the waterproof layer of material underneath the tiles. The underlayment is what actually keeps your roof waterproof. The roofing material you see (tiles, shingles, or metal) protects the underlayment and gives your home aesthetic appeal.
Tiles can slide due to a crack where a screw fastener was installed, these types of cracks are common. Either the screws are over tightened and crack the tile, or the stress from installation causes a hairline crack that will split the tile over time. Stress from walking on the tiles can also crack them at the point of attachment.
The underlayment then becomes exposed to the sun, which over time deteriorates, which then causes leaks in the roof. Underlayments can begin to deteriorate in as little as 60 days due to sun exposure. If these types of problems are caught early and inspected for water penetration, an expensive repair and damage inside the home can be avoided.
Sometimes it is hard to see sliding tiles from the ground. We recommend at least an annual inspection by a roofing professional. Limit walking on your roof or having others walk on your roof. Professional roofers know how to walk on your roof to prevent damage and can spot potential problems early.
If you would like more information regarding this issue or other maintenance issues, please contact Roofing Concepts, Inc. and an Estimator will be happy to speak with you. Feel free to contact us at any one of our phone numbers available; (805) 963-5095, (805) 925-8456, or (805) 688-8200.
Leak Detection
From the ground, look at the perimeter of your home. Check for streaking or discoloration of the stucco or siding. This could mean that water is penetrating the perimeter flashing, which could lead to structural damage to your wall. Also check for lifting in the corners, which may not be visible at the roof level.
Look over the metal flashings for missing fasteners, splits or gaps in joints, and lifting. Small roof leaks will eventually lead to big problems if left unattended.
Rain Gutter Maintenance
Rain gutter maintenance is one of the most important house maintenance tasks to perform on the exterior of your property. Neglecting gutter maintenance might result in damage and costly repairs of the soffit, fascia, house wall (exterior and interior), roof decking surfaces, and other structures surrounding your property.
Rain gutters need to be cleaned more often if there are trees surrounding your house or if there are trees in the near neighborhood. During the fall, when all those trees start shedding their leaves, you may need to have the gutters cleaned several times. If gutters are sagging, it is likely that the nails holding the hangers, or the spikes holding the gutters, have loosened and backed out. This may be corrected by resetting the nails or, if they won't hold, replacing them with screws
Summer Roof Care
We at Roofing Concepts, Inc., your professional roofing friends, are giving you this information to help you weather the summer without undue stress on your roof.
During the summer, a lot of care needs to be taken in dealing with your roof, first be careful when walking on your roof. Walking on old composition shingles is an easy way to break the shingles as they get hard and brittle. Even on new shingles it is easy to damage the shingles and shorten their life by walking on them; they get soft and the granules will come off the shingles. Instead of walking during the hottest parts of the day, do any necessary roof inspections in the morning before 9:00 am or in the evening after the roof cools.
Check that all rain gutters and roof valleys are clear of debris. Check for excess granule deposits in the gutter. After any intense winds, check to see how your roof weathered the winds. It is possible for your roof shingles to be damaged seriously; small areas of roof can lift due to the wind uplift. If you see shingles that have been blown into your yard, whether they are yours or someone else’s, inspect your roof carefully.
It is best not to use flat roofs such as patio’s or carports as a place to sit during the nice weather. Remove any lounge chairs or debris from your flat roof areas. These items can cause permanent damage to the roofing materials. Check roof areas often for debris. Be sure to check your trees and shrubs that they are not rubbing on the roof and causing damage. If you have any questions about the care maintenance with your roofing system, please contact Roofing Concepts, Inc.
