A roof is an easy thing to take for granted. It's just there - providing shelter, protecting you from the elements. But a roof can and does have problems.
Often, a little care can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. The key to a long-lasting roof is preventive maintenance, and that starts with an easy, twice-yearly inspection, advises the National Roofing Contractors Association.Start your inspection indoors by looking for interior signs of water damage. Cracked paint, flaking plaster, peeling wallpaper or discolored walls may be signs that water is leaking through the roof.
After a hard rain, go up into the attic and use a flashlight to examine the roof sheathing and rafters for wet, darkened or stained wood.
Then go outside for a ground-level look (if you have a multistory home, you may want to use binoculars). Look for signs of wear.
According to the roofing association, the top five roofing problems are:
- Blocked gutters. When gutters are filled with leaves, sticks, tennis balls and other debris, rain and snowmelt have nowhere to go except under the shingles and into the house. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year - in fall and spring.
- Missing or torn shingles. The key to a roof's effectiveness is complete protection. If any shingles are missing, the roof structure and the interior of the home are vulnerable to water damage and rot.
- Shingle deterioration. When shingles get old and worn out, they curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness.
- Flashing deterioration. Many roof leaks are really flashing leaks. Without good, tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and wall/roof junctions, water can leak into the house.
- Moss and fungus. Moss holds rot-causing moisture to the shingle surface, and its roots actually work their way into the roof. Fungus also retains moisture and encourages rot. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the house to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage.
If your inspection leads you to believe your roof needs repair or replacement, have it inspected by a
professional roofing contractor. Most roof work is not do-it-yourself. Novices can harm a roof (not to mention themselves) with improper techniques.
If you decide to replace a roof, remember that the price will vary widely, depending upon the material selected, the contractor doing the work, the home itself, the area of the country and other factors. For each roofing material, there are different grades and corresponding prices.
A roof can be a homeowner's most expensive purchase, next to the house itself. By taking a few minutes to look for minor problems and then having them cared for properly, your roof can last a long time.
*****
(Additional information)
Roofing materials
Cost and durability are important considerations, but aesthetics and architectural style are important, too. Here's a look at the options:
Asphalt shingles cover 80 percent of homes nationwide. There are two types: organic and fiberglass.
Organic shingles have a wood-fiber base saturated with asphalt and coated with colored mineral granules. Fiberglass shingles have a fiberglass mat, top-and-bottom layers of asphalt and mineral granules. Life expectancy: 15-30 years.
Wood shingles and shakes are made from cedar and sometimes redwood, southern pine and other woods. Shingles are machine-sawn; shakes are hand-hewn and rougher. They should be treated with a preservative every three to five years to prevent decay. Life expectancy: 10-40 years.
Tile, either clay or concrete, is a durable but fairly expensive roofing material. Available in a variety of colors and finishes, it is heavy and needs proper structural support. Life expectancy: 20+ years.
Slate is stone. Quarried in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, it comes in different colors and grades. It is virtually indestructible, but is the most expensive option. Life expectancy: 30-100 years.
Metal, primarily a commercial roofing material, has found a small niche in the residential market. Life expectancy depends on metal selected, coating (if any) and installation; generally 15-40 years.
Look-alike roofing materials include such products as metal tiles and concrete shakes. A variety of these products has been developed in the last few years. An imitation may provide the look of the real thing for less money.
Finding a contractor
A roof is a big investment - take your time in choosing a contractor. Here are some guidelines:
- Ask friends and neighbors for names of contractors they have used.
- Look for a company with a proven track record.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau or the state licensing bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the contractor.
- Ask for a list of customer references from the contractor, and check to see if they were satisfied.
- Make sure the contractor carries liability and worker's compensation insurance.
- Make sure the contractor offers a warranty for both materials and workmanship. Get it in writing.
- Ask about craftsmanship. Some signs of quality work: underlayment, "water shield" membrane at roof edges, woven valleys, metal flashings around penetrations and at walls and top-quality materials.
- Get written, itemized estimates.
- Get starting and completion dates in writing, as well as a detailed list of the materials to be used.
- Be wary of contractors with very low bids - they may have to cut corners to make a profit.
Roof care
Some tips on proper roof maintenance:
-Inspect your roof in the late fall and early spring (you might want to use binoculars). Look for loose shingles or shakes or missing or cracked pieces of tile or slate. On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges. Don't forget to check the flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and other roof penetrations -- they should be tight and in good condition. If you see any signs of wear, call a professional contractor for more thorough inspection.
-Keep gutters and downspouts clean and free of leaves, sticks and other debris.
-Keep trees trimmed away from the house.
-Stay off the roof. Walking on its surface can do a great deal of damage. If you must see the roof yourself, use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes. Stay on the ladder.