Rain and the Color of your Roof

If you have to step outside and look at your house to remember what color your roof is, you are not alone.  Life is so busy we generally don't think about things until something happens to call our attention to it.  Trust me, a roof leak is not something you want to wait to find, especially with all the constant rain our region has been receiving.  A roof inspection schedule is a wise one to keep, ideally when you have your first or last mow of the year for preventative maintenance.  Of course, if you experience a storm that warrants an inspection, do not hesitate to have an additional inspection done.

Roof damage can arise from a many factors and there are many sources the homeowner should be cognizant of from the inside of the house such as sufficient insulation, vapor barriers, and proper ventilation in ceilings and attic space.  Without these items being adequate for your home, the rafters, decking, and even the roof material itself can decay from constant exposure to moisture and condensation that cannot be seen from the outside of your house.

After a hard rain, an examination from the inside of your attic is a good idea.  Look for pinholes you can see light through, and with a flashlight, look for dark or rotting wood spots.  If you find a wet area, it can be traced back to the point of moisture entry where a reference point can be noted for your roofing specialist.  You will want to make note of any signs of rodent life in your attic; if there is a sign of life there is an entry point.

Aside from checking the interior attic, the flashing on your roof should be checked.  Flashing is the thin metal bands that form a water tight seal around chimneys, vents, dormers, skylights, and where vertical walls meet or enter the surface of the roof.  The roof's gutters and downspouts should also be examined to reduce stains and decay on siding and prevent ice damage.  Proper gutters and downspout systems are also very important when it comes to the integrity of a dry basement.  Make sure your gutters are free of debris so there are no clogs and water does not leak to your foundation, but is properly channeled from your roof and away from your house.

Look your roof over for missing, cracked or warped shingles.  Binoculars can be used to search for trouble spots and to look for loose flashing or rust stains, possibly indicating corroding nails in flashing and a moisture entry point.  Pay close attention to the flashing around protrusions and walls, and look for any cracked tar that is often used around these areas.

If your inspection points to a problem or a leak, how do you know if you need a quick fix or a call in to a professional?  Roof Doctor, Inc. always recommends calling a professional.  Roof work can be dangerous, especially with the pitch of a high roof, and with a quick fix, there may be an underlying problem that is not discovered and remedied.

If you have remained leak free thus far, you are in luck and I highly suggest continuing the maintenance program described here to protect your investment in your home.  Roof Doctor, Inc. is always available for answers to your questions and concerns.  Call Roof Doctor, Inc. today at 816-356-5463 and we'll discuss your specific needs.

Winter Woes: Flashing and Ice Cycles

Winter Woes: Flashing and Ice Cycles

Flashing is a piece of sheet metal applied over joints in the roof to prevent water damage. Flashing is commonly comprised of aluminum or galvanized steel. Flashing locations can vary by roof, but common locations are around the chimney, skylights, roof wall protrusions or dormer windows. If water is able to penetrate the flashing in any manner, it can disintegrate due to weathering or oxidation and further allowing water to seep through the valleys in your roof.

Protect Your Home:

Roof Doctor recommends having a professional inspect your roof flashing on a bi-annual basis. If flashing is found missing, or deteriorating, the flashing should be replaced as soon as possible. Fixing flashing is much more affordable than waiting until it’s too late and having to pay for the damage the water has caused. 

Ice is Not Nice; Here's Some Advice:

Because we have many winter days where temperatures hover around freezing or below freezing, icicles are also a common roofing problem in the midwest region. The sun melts the snow on the hot roof, causing it to drip over the eaves, where it then becomes cold enough to freeze into beautiful, but dangerous, icicles. 

Icicles are hazardous in two ways—first, they can break and fall onto people, pets, and cars. Second, their heavy weight can cause major gutter and roofing damage. You can prevent gutter damage by cleaning your gutters in the fall, so that a build-up of heavy, frozen leaves do not cause your gutters to tear off. Roof Doctor, Inc. offers affordable gutter cleaning plans to keep your gutters free of debris. Another way to prevent icicles is by sweeping snow off your roof and out of your gutters and downspouts after snowstorms. 

It is very dangerous to go up on the roof during the winter, so call the professionals at Roof Doctor, Inc. to do it for you. If you have recurring problems with icicles, an expert roofer at Roof Doctor, Inc. will be happy to evaluate your house and find a solution. We can repair broken or torn gutters and install gutter covers to prevent future problems.  Call Steve today to schedule your peace of mind and protect your investment!

Whatever your roof concern is, we can help you!

Four things to consider before winter completely sets in…

For almost 30 years, Roof Doctor, Inc. has been taking tons of calls in the dead of winter which are related to the four issues below.  Many times weather conditions have to subside before the repair can actually take place and damage can double, triple, or worse.  For these issues, and all other roof concerns, call us for QUALITY repairs and workmanship.

1.       Gutters & downspouts should be cleared free of debris so they are able  to maintain a contstant drain when there is rain, sleet, and snow.

2.       Never let your gutters freeze solid with ice and debris.  This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the gutter system and can pull it away from your house, damaging the gutters permanently.  The fascia and roof can be compromised if your gutters pull away and the house and ceiling juncture can be compromised, letter water leak in.

3.       Down spouts filled with debris that have also frozen can start thawing at the gutter juncture, causing rot to the fascia, rotting soffit, and leaks into your house.  

4.       You will want to have your roof thoroughly checked for open voids under eves and soffits.  Critters such as raccoons, opossums, squirrels, snakes and birds absolutely take advantage of these areas and many, many times make these attic entrances even larger to live in your attic ALL winter long where the warm environment is excellent shelter from the winter variables.  These entrances also become prime areas for rain, snow, and sleet to blow in and cause a leak on your interior home ceiling.  Have these areas properly blocked off with custom cut metal exterior patches.