Entrance Sign to Temple Terrace
Re-Roofed by Gold Seal Roofing & Construction, Inc.
Roofing
is where Gold Seal Roofing & Construction, Inc. first got its
toehold in the Temple Terrace area when Don Ferguson
starting his roofing business in 1997. Here is some
advice he offers to the homeowner:
Since
our home's roof is "over our heads" and is also
something that we see on a regular basis, it is easy
to miss signs of deterioration. An annual inspection
will probably identify most roof problems. To do
this, you need to view your roof from several
vantage points.
First, stand at a distance from your roofline so
that you can see the entire structure. This will
reveal any obvious problems and give you an overall
view of the situation. Pay special attention to the
ridge and rakes, since this is where roofing
material detaches from first. Then you can get up
close and personal with the construction and further
assess the damage.
When
Inspecting your roof for damage, look for:
-
Loose or popped nails
-
Loose or missing flashing around vent
pipes, chimneys or wall junctions
-
Cracks or gaps in caulked areas
-
Holes in the valleys
-
Rotting (To assess this, test
the pliability of material at the
eaves using a putty knife. You should be able to
push in
a screwdriver's tip no more than one-half inch.
Finally, you should inspect your roof from the
inside. To do this, enter your attic and inspect the
underside of the structure. (You should do this even
if you have not witnessed leaks in your living
quarters; there could easily be undetected leaks in
the attic that will cause problems down the road.)
Look for the obvious signs of water damage: stains,
matted or crusted insulation, etc.
Even
if your inspection (or, if the leak found you
instead of vice versa, your interior downpour)
reveals leak problems, it does not necessarily mean
that obtaining a new roof is imminent. The age of
the roof and the signs of deterioration ultimately
determine if repairs are a viable option or if you
will require complete roof replacement.
The
signs of deterioration on any type of roof system
can be attributed to a combination of abuse from the
sun's ultraviolet rays, storms, insects and
temperature change adjustments. (Ultraviolet rays
are probably most damaging, so it is quite common
for one area of your roof–that which receives the
most intense sun for longest length of time each
day–to suffer more severe deterioration than
others.) Damage caused by termites, hail, wind,
rotting or settling of the house structure or
chimney is frequently hidden from view.
|
FACTORS THAT CAN WREAK HAVOC ON YOUR
ROOF
|
|
SUN |
Heat and
ultraviolet rays cause roofing materials to
deteriorate over time. |
|
RAIN |
When underneath
roofing, water can work its way to the deck
and begin to cause rot. |
|
WIND |
High winds can
lift the roof edges and force water
underneath. |
|
CONDENSATION |
The buildup of
relatively warm, moisture-laden air in a
poorly ventilated attic promotes decay of
the wood sheathing and rafters. |
|
MOSS &
ALGAE |
Moss can grow on
wood shingles and shakes if they are kept
moist by poor sunlight conditions or bad
drainage. Algae also grows in damp, shaded
areas on wood. |
|
TREES &
BRANCHES |
Trees and
branches should be trimmed away from the
house to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and
gutters should be kept clean to ensure good
drainage. |
|
MISSING
OR TORN SHINGLES |
No longer offer
your roof complete protection; there are
missing "links in the armor" that shields
your home from the elements. |
|
SHINGLE
DETERIORATION |
When shingles
get old and worn out, they curl, split, and
lose their waterproofing effectiveness and
are more easily blown off, torn, or lifted
by wind gusts.
|
|
FLASHING
DETERIORATION |
Many apparent
roof leaks really are flashing leaks around
chimneys, vents, skylights and wall/roof
junctions. |
The 8
Step Roof System
-
Tear off old roof
-
Inspect for bad wood, replace as necessary
-
Install new valley metal, valley rubber, drip
edge
-
Install 30# ASTM felt
-
Install new vent stacks & ridge vents
-
Install squirrel guards
-
Install shingles
-
Clean area and sweep grounds with magnets
Replacing and Repairing Shingles
 Because
shingles are small, self-contained units, they are
easily replaced without disrupting the rest of the
roof. Your tools of the trade for this task will
include spare shingles, nails, roofing cement and
caulk. If, upon closer scrutiny, you find that the
entire roof is badly worn or that the damage is more
extensive than you had estimated, you will likely
need to replace the entire roof. (Gold Seal gives
FREE estimates!)
It is
best to have a professional roofing company such as
Gold Seal Roofing & Construction, Inc. do any major roofing
job; expert assistance, in this instance, is well
worth the expense if, for nothing else, the
headaches and hassles that it can save you. Also,
deciding to make replacing your roof do-it yourself
project and then calling in last-minute help from
professional roofers can end up costing you as
much–and perhaps even more–than gaining well-planned
professional for assistance to complete the entire
job. |
