Roofing Preventative Maintenance

If you have a little bounce in your knees you can do your own periodic roof inspections. Going up on the roof a twice a year can give you a heads up on problems before they cause water damage. The roof's job is to take all the abuse from weather and falling objects to protect the home. Over time it will tend to wear out.

This article will go over each of the common types of roof and the recommended inspections and maintenance for each one. I got these recommendations from my friends who do Denver roof repairs.

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material, however they can be the most fragile. To start inspection, remove all degrees because gutters and drain lines are often the first to go. Roof penetrations are other common areas of water ingress. Loose shingles can be firmed up with a dab of roof cement. Check caulking and sealants. While most roofs do a good job against weather, they are not so good at stopping hundred pound branches. So trim back overhanging branches.

Bitumen and built up roofs are a little different because they are flat. This means any pooling water is a real problem. Remove debris to help stop this. To repair bald spots in gravel roofs, brush out the areas and add mastic and loose gravel. Blisters are a common problem. They should not be handled themselves. Stepping on one can cause an instant leak so call your Denver roofer. Water is your enemy. Check sump drains for proper drainage.

Wood shingles are organic materials so they are especially vulnerable to moss and algae. The common Denver roofing repair is to install zinc control strips which stop these kinds of organisms from growing. Check mortar and flashings around penetrations. Look for rust, small amounts can be fixed with rust away, large amounts could be a signal of a drainage problem or the need for new flashing.

Single ply and spray foam roofs are similar visually to the built up roof. Single ply roofs only have one layer of protection so be careful of any possible punctures as this will lead to a leak. Check the edge trim. Roofs are designed to stop water coming down from above, not from below or the side. So the edge weather stripping needs to be intact or water will seep in.