Why Roof Inspections Are Important For Keeping Your Tenants Happy

Preventative Maintenance, Roof Inspections, roof maintenance, Why Roof Inspections Are Important For Keeping Your Tenants Happy
Preventative Maintenance, Roof Inspections, roof maintenance, Why Roof Inspections Are Important For Keeping Your Tenants Happy

Why Roof Inspections Are Important For Keeping Your Tenants Happy

If you are a property owner with tenants, you probably already know how essential it is to keep them happy and satisfied. Just like finding and keeping customers, It’s much less work and expense to keep a good tenant, then going through the often lengthy and uncertain process of finding a new one.

 

So how do you keep those tenants happy? How do you ensure that they keep renewing their leases? The answer lies in providing them service and value. Making sure you are keeping up with proper maintenance to the property is something your tenants depend on and always appreciate. Roofing inspections are an essential part of this process. 

 

When an expert like Horizon roofing inspects your roof, we can identify small problems before they become big ones. Your tenants may not even notice a contractor inspecting and repairing a small portion of a roofing system. If you want until the problem becomes big, they most certainly will not appreciate potentially having the interruptions that come with roof replacement or major repair.

 

Roofing Inspections Find Small Problems Early

A roof is subjected to a lot of wear and tear, even in our gorgeous Orange County climate. First, there’s the hot rays of the sun beating down, day after day. Then, there are the weather elements like rain and hail. Temperature swings from hot summers to cool winters cause expansion and contraction that can damage shingles, waterproofing paper and sub roofing.

 

Then, there’s leaves and debris that accumulate in windy conditions like we sometimes have when the ocean winds blow through. When all that junk collects, it allows moisture to accumulate where it can do damage and invite in pests like termites.

 

The good news is that a properly engineered and installed roof is built to take abuse like this for years. That doesn’t mean it’s maintenance free, however. No matter how good your roof is, from time to time it needs to be inspected.

 

Professional roofers know what to look for to make sure that vents are clear, debris piles are removed and that any broken shingles or tiles are repaired. Getting after these problems early and quickly means they can be repaired in minutes, not in days.

 

Major Repairs Mean Major Interruption For Your Tenants

There’s no question that if your roof needs major repairs, you’ll need to take care of that immediately. When water damage or termites have diminished the structural integrity of the roof, it needs to be fixed as soon as possible to prevent any potential safety hazards for the occupants.

 

Unfortunately, this may mean days of noise for your tenants from the hammering and walking on the roof. It may even require tenants to move out for a few days if the interior spaces are left open to the sky while the repairs are taking place. 

 

While the noise alone can be highly disruptive to conducting business, there’s also usually a team of roofers working to get the job done, which means parking spaces will be taken up. Entrances may be blocked by ladders, and other areas may need to be blocked off as debris is removed. Asphalt and tar are often heated on site, meaning odor and noise, which can be disruptive as well. 

 

Whether your tenants are residential or commercial, all of this adds up to major disruption. While tenants might understand after a major weather event or something out of your control, they may be very unhappy if they sense that the problems being addressed are from a lack of preventative maintenance.

 

Keep Your Tenants Happy By Showing Your Commitment To Keeping Your Property In Tip-Top Shape!

Good communication is always key to building a solid landlord-tenant relationship. Whether it’s face to face or through a flier, letting your tenants know when an inspection is taking place will not only give them plenty of notice, it gives you the opportunity to show how much you care about providing a safe, secure property that they’ll want to stay in for years to come.

 

When you do preventative maintenance like roof inspections, it’s important to let your tenants know why. Otherwise, they might not understand the steps you are taking to invest in your property for the long term. If there’s some noise from the inspection, they’ll see it as a value, rather than a disruption. Phrase it as a value-add rather than an inconvenience, because that’s exactly what it is: more value for their rent in the form of a safe, well maintained structure to live or conduct business in.

 

What Is Involved In A Through Roof Inspection?

Roof inspections can usually be accomplished in a fairly quick amount of time. Qualified experienced roofers like the ones you’ll find at Horizon know exactly what to look for, so they don’t take more time than necessary. 

 

They’ll be looking for broken or missing shingles or tiles; evidence of water damage or termites; loose or damaged fascia boards as well as gutter function. All of these elements are essential parts of a working roofing system. When there’s a problem in one part of the system, it can affect the other ones down the line. That’s why it takes the expertise of a professional to make sure your inspection covers everything.

 

Sometimes, we’ll spot small repairs and can take care of those right away. Just imagine, a loose shingle: if we can properly replace that at the time of an inspection, when the rain and wind comes, your roof will be protected. Now, imagine if that shingle wasn’t discovered, the damage builds and spreads, and now instead of replacing a shingle, we might be talking about an entire section of water damaged roof.

 

Being A Responsible Property Owner Means Taking Preventative Maintenance Seriously

When you are a property owner, you have a responsibility to your tenants to be sure the structure and unit they rent will be safe, dry and protected. They also want to live their lives and conduct their business with minimal interruption and intrusion! When you show how seriously you take your duty as landlord, they’ll want to keep leasing from you for as long as possible.

 

Happy tenants are long term tenants! Call us at Horizon today at (714) 328-1967 to schedule a roof inspection today! The sooner we have a chance to evaluate your roofing system, the better chances your repairs will be smaller, and you’ll keep those same tenants for years to come.

 

Sources:

http://www.pacificroof.com/blog/want-happy-tenants-inspect-your-roof

https://rentalhousingjournal.com/7-proactive-maintenance-tips-that-keep-tenants-happy/

Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.

 

Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.

5 Common Roofing Problems That Happen During Winter Months

roof maintenance, roof inspection, common roofing problems, common roofing problems that happen during winter months, what can destroy your roof, what to look out for that can ruin your roof
roof maintenance, roof inspection, common roofing problems, common roofing problems that happen during winter months, what can destroy your roof, what to look out for that can ruin your roof

5 Common Roofing Problems That Happen During Winter Months

Your roof can sustain harsh conditions all year long. Whether it’s the harsh UV rays of the sun, 100 plus degree temperatures, downpours and hail; the summer has its fair share of hazards. On the other hand, the winter is no picnic either. If you live in a cold climate, you can have inches of snow, frigid below zero temperatures, or thick layers of ice building up on your roofing surface. Even those in more temperate climates can face big winter storms with wind and lots of rain.

 

The winter has some particularly tough challenges, so you’ll want to make sure your roof is prepared, inspected and ready to face whatever “Jack Frost” brings your way. These are some of the biggest winter roofing problems you’ll want to be on the lookout for.

 

High Winds

 

Winds can be a problem any time of the year, but they can be especially harsh in the winter. They may bring with them bits of ice and snow that can wreak havoc on your shingles or other surfaces. That snow and ice can build up around all of the various surfaces and valleys of the roof which can cause dangerous, heavy drifts.

 

Winds can pull up and damage shingles. If they are accompanied by extreme cold, it can cause the shingles to become brittle which makes the damage even worse. As shingles age, they become even more brittle, making the problem worse.

 

The solution? Have your roof inspected by a qualified roofer like Horizon. Make sure that shingles are in good condition, and all securely attached. You don’t want to be forced to get a new roof, or large sections of the roof in the middle of a winter storm. It may be difficult for roofers to work in the middle of a storm, so repairs could take longer.

 

Ice Dams

 

Not only does winter bring problems that occur during snowstorms, but those problems can continue as conditions improve. When snow melts, all that water needs to go somewhere.

 

If your gutters have a high amount of standing water, it can freeze into big chunks. These chunks freeze, melt, and re-freeze. When the snow on the roof melts, the water won’t be properly carried away by the gutters. This can result in pooling water on your roof, which easily can result in leaks.

 

To solve this problem, you need to stay on top of your gutter cleaning routine. All throughout the fall, inspect your gutters and keep them clean. If sticking your hands into a sticky soup of wet leaves isn’t your thing, hire a local contractor that specializes in gutter cleaning.

 

Depending on the speed that leaves fall in your neighborhood, you may need to check the gutters multiple times before the winter begins.

 

Installing a gutter guard system can help to keep your gutters clean on an ongoing basis. These systems force leaves to blow and tumble over the top of gutters so they don’t get stuck inside. There are many styles of gutter guards. You’ll be able to find one that both looks great and functions to keep your gutters clean all winter long.

 

Another thing that needs inspection is the slope of the gutters themselves. Over time, whether through poor installation or just general settling, gutters may no longer let water flow towards the downspout and instead allow it to pool at an end.

 

Every several years, it’s a good idea to hire a professional gutter service company to check these problems and perform vital preventative maintenance.

 

Icicles

 

One of the prettiest sights of the winter is icicles hanging from the overhangs of peoples houses. That is, until they fall and break a car window or worse, injure someone.

 

Icicles are a good sign that too much moisture or water has built up in your gutters. There is probably a clog in the system somewhere, and you may need professional assistance to keep it clean.

 

Safely knock icicles off with a broom or other tool. You can spray them with warm water if you need to. You’ll want to remove them in a controlled manner before they come down when someone isn’t expecting them to!

 

Heavy Tree Limbs

 

Yet another hazard that is pretty to look at but not fun to deal with the consequences of is snowy tree limbs. When snow builds up on the limbs of trees, it causes them to take on a lot of additional weight. When a storm blows through, it can cause the stress to go past the breaking point of the limbs and they can fall, causing major damage to a roof below.

 

Proper tree maintenance is essential for the safety of your home. If a tree is on your property, it’s your responsibility to have it properly trimmed and pruned. If a tree is on your neighbor’s property, the expense may fall on them.

 

Plan ahead and have an arborist look at your trees and determine if trimming needs to be done before the winter snow arrives.

 

Roof Collapse

 

Structural failure under the heavy load of snow is more common than you might think. This is a highly dangerous condition that could place all the occupants at grave risk of injury or death.

 

There’s several things you need to do to prevent this from happening. First, an inspection by a qualified roofer like Horizon can give you an idea of the condition of your roof and how much it can support.

 

Snow load is mainly a concern for low-pitched roofs, because it tends to create larger piles. If it’s safe, you may need to climb up and use a leaf blower or broom to help prevent snow from building up. Be extremely careful when doing this since winter conditions can bring ice and winds. If you aren’t sure you want to tackle this, call a professional.

 

The main thing is to make sure all the systems of your roof are working at peak condition. Keep your gutters clean. Make sure that all of the material underneath is in good condition and leak proof.

Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.

 

Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.

6 Ways To Ensure Your Roof Lasts As Long As Possible

roof inspection, roof maintenance, how to ensure your roof lasts as long as possible, maximize the life of your roof with roof inspections, maximize the life of your roof with roof maintenance, roof inspection for roof longevity, roof maintenance for roof longevity, ways to ensure your roof lasts as long as possible
roof inspection, roof maintenance, how to ensure your roof lasts as long as possible, maximize the life of your roof with roof inspections, maximize the life of your roof with roof maintenance, roof inspection for roof longevity, roof maintenance for roof longevity, ways to ensure your roof lasts as long as possible

6 Ways To Ensure Your Roof Lasts As Long As Possible

Your roof is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make in your home. While all of your home systems need some level of maintenance, nowhere is that more crucial than your roof. It’s not hard to see why: your roof is directly exposed to the elements all the time. Whether it is the harsh UV rays of the sun, rain, wind, hail, or temperature extremes, your roof takes a beating.

 

So how do you get the most out of your roofing investment? You need to perform regular maintenance and take care of small issues before they become big ones and affect the longevity of the roof. Here are 6 steps to make sure your roof lasts as long as possible.

 

Remove Debris

 

Wind and storms bring leaves, twigs, branches, or even trash down on your roof. When they aren’t cleared, they trap moisture, which in turn makes your roofing materials vulnerable to damage. Leaves can also build up in valleys, preventing proper drainage. Large branches or sticks may even damage shingles.

 

If you can safely get up on your roof, you can use a leaf blower to clear leaves and debris. Practice good ladder safety, and if you have an electric leaf blower, be conscious of the cord as it presents a tripping hazard.

 

Tree Management

 

If you find that you are constantly dealing with large piles of leaves on your roof, especially in the fall, you should consider trimming nearby trees. This is especially important if they are close to the house and are coming in close contact with the roof or gutters.

 

In addition to the excess leaves and tree debris, the close proximity of the tree to your roof makes an easy route for rodents to get into your house or attic, which is something that no one wants!

 

Trees often present a huge fire risk if they are overly close to your house. This is why many areas require that trees be trimmed a minNot to mention, in a powerful storm, overhanging branches can fall, causing huge amounts of damage to your roof, car, or worse, people below.

 

Regular Inspections

 

Inspecting your roof regularly is a huge part of keeping it maintained for the long haul. While you can look for problems yourself, having a licensed, qualified roofer is even better. Professionals know what to look for and can give you an on-the-spot estimate of what needs to be done and when.

 

Proper inspection looks for several things. First, look for things like cracked shingles. These can be easily replaced, preventing water damage underneath.

 

Algae growth is another commonly seen problem. This indicates the presence of constant moisture, which is a sign that water isn’t properly draining.

 

You’ll want to look inside your house as well. If you notice any unexplained wet spots on the ceiling, this is a huge cause for concern, especially if the ceiling is directly beneath the roof. This is often the first sign that there is roof damage. Other signs are sagging drywall or discoloration.

 

Inspecting around pipes, vents, chimneys is of particular importance. If these protrusions have any cracks or breaks, this is an easy way of moisture to get in. If vent screens are cut or damaged, don’t be surprised to find some new furry friends moving into your attic!

 

Choose the right roof

 

Once a roof is installed, it’s obviously going to be very expensive to change it. So if you are choosing a new roof, be sure to choose one that works best in your area. When you meet with an expert like Horizon, you’ll be presented with a variety of choices and some advice on the different strengths of each.

 

Consider the expected life span of the different products you can choose from. While asphalt tiles or modified bitumen roofs are often cost-effective, their lifespan usually has a maximum of 25 years at best. On the other hand, metal roofs, which are less common in residential applications, can have 50-year lifespans.

 

Lifespan is just one of the factors you’ll consider. You’ll also consider style and aesthetics, any HOA requirements, budget, fire resistance, and more. This is why working with an expert roofer is so important.

 

Gutter cleaning

 

When it rains, all that water needs to be directed away from the house, or it will pool and cause all sorts of problems. Gutters are often a huge hassle to clean. No one wants to stick their hand into a yucky goop of decaying leaves.

 

The good news is that there are a host of different solutions. Some people opt for “gutter guards” which allow leaves and debris to flow off the top while maintaining clean drainage underneath. There are many styles and options to choose from.

 

Other solutions include robots that drive through the bugger expelling leaves, or specialized shovels which keep your hands dry.

 

In addition to keeping a handle on debris, you need to check for the proper slope of the gutters. Over time, it’s possible for gutters to tilt in the wrong direction. Water will simply pool at the ends, rather than flowing to the downspout.

 

It’s best to regularly schedule professional maintenance for your gutters, since they can clean and adjust your gutters, keeping them in like-new condition without you ever having to get your hands dirty!

 

Check Ventilation

 

Wide temperature swings can have a huge impact on the lifespan of your roof. If the attic spaces aren’t well ventilated, heat builds up inside, keeping the roof extremely hot for a longer period of time. Poor ventilation also leads to increased heating and cooling costs for the house below.

 

Attic fans, insulation, and proper venting are the key to minimizing these wide swings. Attic fans require roofing work, so even if the roofer isn’t installing the fans, make sure to have them inspect the work to make sure it was properly sealed.

 

Conclusion

 

Depending on the height and slope of your roof, as well as your own desires, you can perform some of this maintenance yourself. Even so, it’s a great idea to regularly have a qualified expert roofer like Horizon to check for problems you can’t see. Doing so can help you take care of little problems before they become big ones!

Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.

 

Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.

6 Steps For HOA Roofing Inspection Compliance

roof inspection, hoa roof inspection, hoa roofing inspection, hoa roofing inspection compliance, roof inspection compliance, roofing inspection
roof inspection, hoa roof inspection, hoa roofing inspection, hoa roofing inspection compliance, roof inspection compliance, roofing inspection

6 Steps For HOA Roofing Inspection Compliance

Regularly taking a look at the condition of your roof can save you huge amounts of money on major repairs later. The biggest enemy of your roof, as well as the structure underneath is certainly water. If water can find a way into roofing, it will! Tiny damage builds up over time and becomes worse and worse.

 

If you can stop a roofing problem earlier, you’ll only be paying for the cost of the repair! If you wait, you’ll need to repair the structure underneath, and that can add up quickly. Undetected problems can be catastrophic.

 

If you own property in an HOA community, performing regular roofing inspections may be part of your CC and R’s. Here are some tips on how to make sure your inspections are done right.

 

Step 1: Safety first!

 

Be extremely careful when climbing up on your roof. Though maintenance personnel and property owners can often climb up carefully, there are other situations where you should have a trained professional carry out the inspection.

 

Make sure you choose the correct ladder. The shorter it is, the steeper the climb, if it’s not quite tall enough. Make sure the ladder can handle the weight of the people climbing on it.

 

Place the ladder about 4 feet away from the base of the wall to give you the best climbing angle. Then, use a bungee cord to attach the ladder to the gutter so it doesn’t fall over. Always keep 3 points of contact on the ladder at all times: eg., 2 legs and a hand; or 2 arms and one leg.

If your roof is especially high or steep, call a professional.

 

 

Step 2: Check the easy stuff first!

 

 

A lot of roof problems can be detected without even climbing up a ladder. Take a walk around your property. Look for signs of moisture damage like:

 

  • Mildew: you might see it or smell it
  • Mold: building up on ceilings or walls, both interior and exterior
  • Water stains: often times you’ll see brownish stains on patches of the ceiling
  • Paint bubbles: a sure sign water is underneath
  • Peeling paint: when the damage adds up, you’ll see the paint flaking off.

 

If it’s actively raining, you might actually see drops of water falling, or patches of moisture. Any unexplained pools of water on the floor need to be investigated to see where the water is coming from. Remember too that if it’s not raining, you probably won’t see water, but you can still see the damage.

 

Step 3: Check for debris on the roof

 

Once you safely climb up on top of your roof, you need to check for debris. Usually this is in the form of leaves, twigs, branches and things like that. If this debris builds up, it interferes with the way that water is designed to flow off into the gutters.

 

Be especially mindful of gutters, drains, valleys and anywhere else. Bring a broom or leaf blower to clear off the roof.

 

Fungus, algae, moss and mold have been known to develop on roofs. This needs to be properly cleared away, or more damage will result over time.

 

You certainly don’t want anything living on your roof or in any pipes, gutters or other structures. Find a humane way to move any nests or creatures to a more appropriate home!

 

Step 4: Check for roof damage

 

Look around and see if there are any broken or cracked shingles or tiles. They’ll probably need to be replaced. If a roof is gravel and it’s thinned out in spots, that will need to be addressed.

 

One thing you might spot in an asphalt shingle roof is “curling.” This is when the corners of the tiles start to curl upwards. When that happens, water can easily get underneath, causing water damage.

 

Step 5: Checking important areas

 

There are certain areas that need special focus as they are often the main source of water intrusion.

 

Skylights:

 

Skylights may have a lifespan that is less than the roof. They are a very common source of leaks. Check around the skylight carefully and make sure all shingles, flashing andthe roof membrane are intact.

 

Flashing:

 

Any flashing needs to be very carefully looked at. Any damaged flashing can allow major damage underneath.

 

Soil Stacks:

 

These are another common culprit for leaks and damage. You need to check the condition of the boot and area around it. It may need to be replaced. Doing so before any damage is a great way to save money!

 

Another thing to check is any areas of flashing. If there are any gaps showing between flashing and the shingles, this could be a really serious problem.

 

Step 6: Check the gutters and downspouts

 

The whole point of carefully sealing the roof is so that water runs off into gutters, then the downspouts, then away from the house. If gutters and downspouts are clogged, water can back up and flow into vulnerable areas like flashing or even under shingles.

 

Cleaning gutters is never a fun task! You might want to consider a gutter cleaning service to really get them fully flowing. Installation of gutter guards can also be a good idea if you are in an area that has a high level of leaves and other debris flying in the air.

 

It’s not just cleaning the gutters that’s important. Over time or through poor installation, gutters may not be tilted correctly, so water will flow away from downspouts and back up in other areas. These issues will have to be addressed.

 

Conclusion:

 

Like so many other areas of property maintenance, it’s vital to get ahead on these items before they lead to much bigger problems.

 

Most people don’t know they have a roof leak until the water is dripping on their floor. This means that much of the damage is already done. If preventative maintenance was done earlier, the overall cost and inconvenience would have been much less!

 

By spotting problems early, you can have a qualified, licensed professional roofer like Horizon Roofing make repairs and keep you safe and dry the next time there’s a storm!

 

Sources:

https://www.facilitiesnet.com/roofing/article/How-To-Conduct-a-Proper-Roof-Inspection–17571
https://renovationdojo.com/how-to-get-on-a-second-story-roof/
https://firstamericanroofing.com/how-to-inspect-a-roof/
https://www.certainteed.com/how-to-inspect-roof/
https://bmroofing.com/how-to-inspect-a-roof/

 

Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.

 

Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.

Roof Inspection Checklist: What to Look For

roof inspection, new roof inspection checklist, residential roof inspection checklist, roof checklist, roof inspection checklist
roof inspection, new roof inspection checklist, residential roof inspection checklist, roof checklist, roof inspection checklist

Roof Inspection Checklist: What to Look For

The roof is an integral part of any structure, and yet it is very vulnerable to the elements. In many areas, maintenance personnel are required to perform informal visual inspections after any severe wind, rain storm, or snow event. Yearly inspections are typically completed yearly.


While homeowners are under no legal responsibility to complete seasonal roof inspections, it is an extremely good idea. Catching and repairing early damage is a great way to keep the roof in excellent shape and save money on larger repairs, water damage, or higher heating and cooling bills. But what does a person look for during a roof inspection? Here is a simple checklist to follow when performing a roof inspection.

 

General Roof Condition

The first thing you’ll want to do is check the general condition of the roof. This includes things like:

  1. Looking for any debris (tree branches, materials from other buildings, etc.)
  2. Checking for physical damage. This can include loss of shingles, peeling shingles, or popped roofing nails
  3. Drainage. Make sure the gutters aren’t backed up and are running smoothly.
  4. Attic conditions. Make sure the attic fan is functioning, that no water is leaking through the cutout for the fan or any other openings.
  5. Structural deformation. Make sure that there is no warping, cracking, or any other deformity in the roof.

 

Items to Address for a Sloped Roof

A sloped roof will have slightly different issues to check for than a flat roof. Look for missing tabs, granular loss, or corrosion of the metal aspects. Also ensure that the roofing materials are in good shape: no curled or buckled shingles.

Fading is not as critical at the moment, but a roof that has fading is a roof that’s getting older. It may be a sign that you may need to think about roof replacement in the near future.

 

Checking a Flat Roof

A flat roof has a few extra factors to address, as the shape doesn’t naturally repel precipitation or have even indirect protection from sunlight. When dealing with a flat roof you’ll need to look for:

  1. The condition of the coating (is it smooth and completely intact?)
    Punctures
  2. Cracks or alligatoring. This is a condition that is generally caused by the sun and gets worse as the roof ages. UV rays will dry out the roof coating and create a series of cracks that look like alligator skin (hence the name).
  3. Blisters or fishmouths. This kind of damage is when the roof raises up in blisters due to water vapor trapped under the coating.
  4. Ponding. This is caused by rainwater or snow melt collecting in pools (or ponds) on a flat rooftop.
  5. Check for metal corrosion. This will look like rust, pitting, or cracking in the metal structures of the roof.

 

Inspect the Individual Roof Features

Take some time to scrutinize some of the roof features to make sure that they are intact. This will include:

  1. Fascia. These are the horizontal boards that hang under the edge of the roof. It protects the rafters and supports the gutter system
  2. Soffit. This is the siding found underneath your roof’s overhang. The soffit protects rafters from the elements.
  3. Skylights. Check the seal around the skylights to ensure that there are no leaks or cracks. Also that there is no damage to the skylight itself.
  4. Gutters and drains. Check that these are intact, without rust or holes, or major denting. Clear out any debris. Gutters and drains need to move water swiftly and smoothly from the roof so that water damage doesn’t occur.
  5. Chimneys and vents. Look for any cracks or broken seals around the chimney or vents. Water that is able to leak in can cause mold or damage.
    Flashing. This is the waterproof material that is applied to joints, edges, valleys, or any other gaps to prevent leaks. Make sure there is no cracking, pitting, or other damage to the flashing.

 

Interior Structural Checks

A good way to determine whether the roof is functioning at optimal levels is to see what’s happening in the structure interior. There are two places inside the building that you should check; the ceiling and the walls.

 

Ceiling Conditions

Look for any areas of water damage. This could look like water staining (patches of discoloration–anywhere from pale yellow to black), water leaks (obvious water pooling on the ceiling, or even dripping down), or cracks in the ceiling. Check closely, as sometimes hairline cracks can be difficult to see at first. If you don’t catch water damage early it can create far bigger problems and more expensive repairs.

 

Interior Wall Conditions

You want to look for the same kinds of things on the walls that you did on the ceiling. Check for any leaks or water stains. Give a careful look to the areas around windows. If there are leaks you may notice deformed finish or cracks and bubbles near the joint of the ceiling and wall. Make a note of the door and window alignment.

 

The Bottom Line

One of the signs of a healthy structure, whether residential or commercial, is a healthy roof. Because it is so continually exposed to the elements, you need to be sure that it is solid and whole. Any breach in a roof can create water damage issues: cracking, buckling, discoloration, and blistering. More importantly, water damage can lead to larger structural issues and the biohazard of mold growth.

Businesses and homes should have their roofs checked periodically to ensure that they are functioning at peak capacity. You can give it a look yourself using this checklist, but it’s always a good idea to have a professional give it a look…especially if you notice anything that seems amiss.

 

If you see any of the problems outlined in this article, call your roofing professionals to be a second pair of eyes and to quickly resolve a smaller issue before it becomes a large and costly one.

Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.

 

 

Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.