Have you given your roof a proper once over of late? You should be wondering if it is up to the task of the winter storms that come through this part of the state and what one ought to be on the lookout for with the wet season on the horizon.
As fall makes itself at home, those are the questions any homeowner would do well to put to himself. We at Specialist Roofing and Repair have been in the business of putting Southern California families’ minds at ease when it comes to their homes for some time now; 2011 in fact. Being a local, family run operation and a fully licensed and insured California roofing contractor, we can tell you what a thorough fall inspection entails. Of course, if you prefer to let a pro handle it, you are welcome to put us on the phone at (747) 307-5518.
The Case for an Inspection in Fall
It is easy to let the Southern California climate put you at ease about your roof for most of the year. With warm days and the sun shining, rain seems a thing of the past. Yet the unrelenting sun is the very issue. The heat and UV rays take their toll on your materials and any minor damage left over from last winter will have been festering.
Then there is the matter of a loose shingle or a tile with a crack in it; put right in October and you avoid the headache of a leak in a January downpour. Fall is the time to get ahead of such things.
What You Can See From the Ground
There is no need to go climbing on the roof to begin an inspection. With a pair of binoculars and some care you can make out a great deal from the ground as you make your way around the house. Keep an eye out for:
- Shingles that are curling, cracked or gone altogether, on an asphalt roof
- Any broken or displaced tiles
- Patches or streaks of a dark colour which may be indicative of moisture
- A sagging roofline
- Valleys where leaves, branches and other debris have collected
- Flashing in disrepair or rusted about the chimneys and vents
Should you see any of the above, you would be wise to have it seen to before the weather changes.
Do Not Overlook the Gutters
They are not much to look at but gutters have a job to do. Clogged with the like of leaves they allow water to back up and run down your fascia, walls and foundation, resulting in staining and rot you could have done without.
With the trees shedding their leaves, gutters are apt to fill up in the fall. See to it they are cleared and the downspouts are doing their job of moving water away from the house. Old or damaged gutters are something to put right before the rains set in.
An Indoor Check as Well
Not everything of import is outside. Your attic and ceilings will often give you the first hint of trouble.
Look for these in the house:
- Stains of water on upper walls or the ceiling
- Light coming through the boards in the attic
- Insulation that is damp or dark spots on the wood framing
- A mustiness in the air
It is better to put a stop to a small indoor leak than to have it become a major repair.
Understanding Your Roofing Material
Each type of roof has its own way of aging. Asphalt shingles will curl and shed granules. Tile is hardy enough but the underlayment will wear and tiles do crack. Metal and stone-coated steel stand up to it all but the seams and fasteners require checking. And with flat or low-slope roofs of the torch down, single-ply, silicone or foam variety, the drains and seams are where you want to focus.
We can help you figure out what you have if you are in any doubt.
For a Professional Opinion
You can do some of the inspecting yourself but a roof is no place to be if you are not sure of your footing, and a layman is likely to overlook what a trained eye sees in a moment. If it has been a few years or you have found something that gives you pause, make the call.
Specialist Roofing and Repair is here to provide a free inspection and an estimate you can trust. We are BBB accredited with an A+ and our 100% satisfaction guarantee says it all. Our team is on hand 24/7 so there is no waiting for answers.
Why leave it to the first storm to tell you your roof is in need of work? Contact us at (747) 307-5518 and face the winter without worry.