As a homeowner, you are familiar with the ongoing maintenance required to keep your home in good condition. Yard work, painting, changing air filters – these are all important tasks that need to be completed regularly.

Roofing maintenance is also necessary to protect your investment in your home. A regular inspection of the roof can help catch potential problems before they become serious and costly repairs. Visit https://www.northportflroofing.com to learn more.

Gutter cleaning is one of the least-fun and most often overlooked home maintenance tasks. It’s usually dirty, requires a ladder, and can be dangerous when done wrong. And yet, it’s an important task that can prevent water damage to your walls, roof, fascia, and foundation.

If you don’t clean your gutters, they fill with leaves, twigs, debris, and blossoms, which clogs them. Over time, this clogging can cause the gutter to pull away from the roof. This can create a gap where water gets trapped, which leads to dry rot and other problems. It’s also an inviting place for insects like wasps, ants, and rodents to nest.

Rain gutters collect rain that falls on your roof and diverts it through downspouts away from the home’s foundation. Without them, water would pour down the side of your house and seep through the siding or into the basement and crawlspace. It can also erode the landscaping around your foundation, causing soil erosion and other issues.

Ideally, you should clean the gutters twice per year, once in spring and again in the fall. However, if you have a lot of trees close to the house, you may need to do this more frequently. A telescopic gutter cleaning tool that attaches to a garden hose makes it possible to reach the top of your roof and gutters from the ground, eliminating the need for a ladder.

If you decide to do this on your own, remember to practice basic ladder safety. You should have someone hold the ladder and use a ladder stabilizer to keep it from leaning or tipping. Having a spotter is especially helpful if you’re working on a slanted roof. You can also hire a professional to perform this task safely. They can also trim overhanging branches to reduce the amount of debris that collects in your gutters. This will not only make it easier to clean your gutters, but it will also help prevent them from becoming clogged in the first place. It’s important to do this before winter weather arrives, as ice dams can form in clogged gutters.

Inspect the Attic

The attic is a common area for roof problems to develop. Homeowners should inspect their attics at least twice per year for signs of damage, such as water stains, rusty nails or mold. This helps to prevent the development of serious roofing issues and saves money by catching problems early on.

A thorough attic inspection involves checking for the following:

Electrical wiring should be in good condition with no exposed, frayed or loose wires. Insulation should be in good shape and properly installed. Insulation provides resistance to heat flow, which helps to lower energy costs during the winter and summer.

Ventilation is important to help keep the attic cool and dry. A poorly ventilated attic can cause the formation of ice dams in the winter and excessive moisture throughout the house in the summer.

Check the attic for ventilation outlets and ducts, such as bathroom fan vents, dryer vents and heating/cooling ducts. These ducts should be well-ventilated and properly insulated to reduce the build-up of ice dams in the winter, moisture and heat in attics in the summer, and mold and mildew.

Also check the attic for soffit boards, which cover the underside of roof overhangs, and fascia, the horizontal boards that run along the edges of the roof. These should be in good condition, free of rot, warping or cracking.

Leaks can occur when the attic isn’t adequately insulated or there are gaps around penetrations. The attic should be inspected for areas of insulation that have been damaged and for spliced wires, which should be sealed and covered with junction boxes.

A professional home inspector will thoroughly inspect the attic and roof for problems that could impact a homeowner’s comfort, safety or the structural integrity of the roof. A thorough attic inspection can help homeowners avoid costly roofing repairs and prevent expensive energy bills.

When hiring a professional for an attic inspection, be sure to choose one who is insured and certified. A qualified professional will have a wide range of tools, equipment and experience to inspect the attic for any issues that require attention. Before heading into the attic, be sure to wear a ladder safety harness, use proper ladder safety and watch where you step!

Check the Flashings

A roof’s flashing is a critical part of keeping the home dry. It seals off gaps around chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, and other elements that might leak. Flashings are typically made of durable materials like aluminum, copper, and galvanized steel. However, this type of material is prone to wearing down over time, especially if it’s exposed to constant sunlight and extreme weather phenomena.

The majority of roof leaks originate from deteriorated or displaced flashings. Inspecting your flashings regularly and catching problems early can help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Using the right safety gear is essential to checking the flashings. Ensure that you have sturdy work boots and safety glasses, as well as a ladder that is in good condition.

You should also make sure that your ladder is secured to the roof. If you spot any loose or damaged sections, call in a professional to repair them. This can be tricky, since you might need to remove shingles in order to reach the flashings. This is usually not a DIY project, and it’s best to leave it to the professionals to avoid further damage to the roofing system and the rest of the home.

If you notice any rust or corrosion on your roof flashing, this is a sign that it needs to be replaced. Corrosion is especially common in areas with high humidity or frequent exposure to salt, and it can affect metal flashings in particular. It’s a good idea to apply a coating of weather-resistant paint or stain to your roof flashing, which can significantly extend its lifespan.

There are several different types of flashings, including step and counter-flashing. Step flashing involves layered sheets of metal that resemble steps, with one sitting on top of the other. It’s typically used where a flat roof meets a vertical structure, such as a chimney or skylight. Counter-flashing is usually installed at the base of a chimney, and it redirects water to the gutters.

Most roof flashings have caulk around the edges, which serves as another layer of protection against moisture. If the caulk is missing or cracked, it should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further water infiltration.

Trim Trees

Tree limbs that hang over your roof need to be trimmed regularly, especially after heavy storms. They may rub or scrape your shingles, or they could fall during a storm and damage your home. It’s also a safety concern because dangling branches can break windows, or even cause you to lose your balance and fall. Additionally, if a tree branches over an electrical wire, it could create a fire hazard.

There are a few different types of pruning cuts that can be made to a tree: crown thinning, crown reduction, and structural pruning. Crown thinning is the most common pruning technique used to thin a tree’s canopy by removing specific live branches to reduce overall density. It increases light penetration and air circulation, while reducing stress on selected limbs from gravity, wind, snow or ice. This type of pruning is best performed in late winter or early spring.

Structural pruning is the process of removing diseased, dead, broken, or otherwise unsightly branches and limbs from trees to improve their form and function. It can also be done to prevent a future problem, such as crowding or competing root systems. Structural pruning is typically performed on a wide range of trees, including maples, flowering pears, oaks, and willows.

Lastly, you’ll want to prune off suckers and water sprouts, which are weak and weedy-looking growths that grow at the base of a tree and steal energy from it. These can also lead to rot and insect infestations.

To make your roofing maintenance complete, you should also check that the seals around any roof penetrations, such as skylights and vents, are intact and secure. In addition, you’ll want to inspect the gutter system to ensure it’s clean and free of obstructions. You should also check that the chimney and any other rooftop structures are in good condition. Lastly, you’ll want to ensure that the surrounding landscaping is well maintained and that any mulch is at least 2 inches deep. This will help to protect the roots of your trees from over-watering and fertilization, which can cause them to deteriorate prematurely.

Moisture trapped in the roof for too long can cause mold, mildew, and structural damage. Roof repair and insulation can help eliminate these issues.

Regular roof repairs keep problems from escalating into major, expensive issues. If you see signs of roof damage, schedule an inspection to ensure that your home is protected. To learn more, visit https://www.corpuschristiroofingco.com/.

A good roofer is careful to repair shingles in a manner that will camouflage the repairs, because shingle patches that aren’t seamlessly blended into the rest of the roof can be quite noticeable. It’s also important to rescue curling or weathered shingles before they’re completely ruined, as that can allow water in and damage the underlying wood.

While some homeowners use tar sealant to repair a curled shingle, Shirley says that this isn’t a long-term solution and can actually lead to further problems down the road. Instead, he recommends pulling up the damaged shingle and replacing it with a new one.

To replace a damaged shingle, first loosen the adhesive underneath it with a pry bar or hammer claw, then pull out the nails at the top. Repeat this process for the shingle above it, and then carefully remove the damaged shingle itself. When the area is clear, it’s a good idea to examine the surrounding shingles for any signs of damage that might indicate the need for additional work.

Once you’ve re-nailed the new shingle in place, slide a replacement 3-tab shingle into its position and nail it down with four roofing nails. If possible, try to avoid “facing nailing” a shingle (putting a new shingle over existing nails that penetrate it), because this can puncture or otherwise damage the shingle beneath.

You can buy a bundle of shingles at your local home improvement store that closely matches the color and style of your existing ones. If you’re unsure about the exact match, look in your gutter for an accumulation of colored granules that have washed down from the surrounding shingles. These can be crushed up and sprinkled over the sealant on the repaired shingle to help it blend in with the surrounding shingles. It’s a good idea to purchase more shingles than you’ll need for your repairs, so you have them on hand for future repairs. You can also buy shingle cement or adhesive at your home improvement store to help secure your repairs. Some shingles come with this pre-installed, though, so it might not be necessary for you.

Repairing Damaged Flashing

Over time, flashing can become loose or even pulled from your roof. This happens because the metal rusts, and the sealant wears away. A professional roofer can quickly repair this problem, preventing water from infiltrating your home and damaging wood roof decking.

You can usually spot flashing damage by water stains on the ceiling or walls. However, you should also conduct regular roof inspections to catch any problems early on.

Flashing repairs can be tricky, because most of it protrudes under the shingles. You may need to remove the shingle and replace the flashing entirely. This can be costly, but it’s important to take the time to do it right. If you try to simply add a new layer of flashing over an old one, water will seep in between the two layers and cause further damage.

When a flashing section becomes damaged, the resulting leak can cause moisture to penetrate your roof’s sheathing and insulation, leading to structural damage and costly repairs. In addition, moisture intrusion can promote mold growth, compromising your family’s health and safety. It can also reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, causing higher energy bills.

If you’re handy and have experience working on DIY projects, repairing flashing is a relatively simple process. To do it, you’ll need roofing cement, a caulking gun, and a pry bar. First, locate the area of the roof where you suspect a leak is occurring. You’ll need to remove a few rows of shingles to get access to the flashing. Next, prepare a strip of adhesive ice-and-water barrier to slip underneath the shingles at the point where the soffit and main roof meet. Place it over the damaged flashing and nail it into place. Cover the nail heads with roofing cement.

If the damaged flashing is around a vent pipe, you’ll need to remove a few more shingles. Then, you’ll need to remove the flange of the vent pipe and replace it with a new piece of flashing. Nail it in place and cover it with a layer of roofing cement.

Repairing Damaged Vent Boots

If you have a roof leak or have noticed water damage around a vent pipe, chances are the rubber boot that seals around the pipe is worn out. This can be easily fixed with a little work and some caulk.

Roof vents are important for a number of reasons. They allow sewer gases to escape safely, create neutral air pressure and prevent sewage backups and they help with ventilation of your home. But, when the rubber boots that seal these vents break down it can create an avenue for water to enter your home. Luckily, this is an easy fix for homeowners and can be done in just a few minutes.

To begin the process I start by loosening the shingles up around and above the vent using a flat bar. This should be done carefully as you don’t want to cause shingle tears. Once the shingles are loosened you can pull up the flashing and the boot. The next step is to replace the old rubber boot. There are several ways to do this. One way is to use a silicone adhesive and simply put a new boot on top. While this may work it is considered a temporary solution and will not last as long.

A better method is to remove the old boot and replace it with a new boot flashing. This involves removing the old shingle and stripping back the aluminum flashing underneath, but it provides a more permanent solution. This is what I will show you in this blog.

Before you go to the roof and start tearing up shingles, be sure you have a ladder that is tall enough to reach your roof and a few basic shingle repair tools like a knife, nails and a hammer in case you need to lift shingles to get at the pipe boot. You will also need a new vent boot and some butyl rubber caulk.

Starting on the bottom half of the pipe, I stretch a 5 in. wide piece of flashing tape over the existing boot and onto the aluminum flashing making sure to push it into all the contours. Then, I trim the tape evenly so the new boot can slide over it without getting caught up on the tape.

Repairing Damaged Kick-Out Flashing

In my experience, missing or improperly installed kick-out flashing is one of the most common causes of moisture damage in homes here in the Northwest. The simplest little piece of flashing can prevent thousands of dollars in repairs by keeping water out of walls where roofs meet wall structures.

Essentially, it’s an “L” shaped flashing that bridges the gap between where step flashing ends and gutter begins. It’s designed to divert all of the rain water from the wall to the gutter, preventing it from flowing down the side of the house or into it behind the siding, stucco or stone.

If a home is built without this crucial flashing or the roofer doesn’t install it correctly, water will flow down the side of the house and into wall materials such as drywall, sheathing, wood framing and rotted insulation. Over time this will cause expensive rot, mold and moisture related repair to the home.

Home inspections are a great way to help keep homes up to code, and missing or incorrectly installed kick-out flashing is something that can be easily caught during a home inspection. However, it is not usually caught until serious moisture damage is already present.

The easiest way to properly install this flashing is to do it during the roofing process and peel back a small section of shingle, roof, siding, counter flashing and ice/water shield (where needed) to slip it underneath. The leg that will abut the house should be bent at a slight angle to encourage drainage, and it should be sized to be able to handle a shear of water in a storm.

During the inspection of the house pictured below, I found the leg of the kick out flashing to be angled at the wrong direction, causing water to flow down the wall instead of into the gutter. It had run down 2 stories of the wall, saturated and soaked all of the sheathing and insulation in the crawlspace and had caused significant rot on the exterior sheathing.

A qualified EIFS inspector will know to look for these issues and will make sure that the appropriate flashings are in place and sized correctly to prevent costly moisture damage down the road. This is just another example of why hiring a professional home inspector when you are buying a new home and having them come back annually can save you thousands of dollars in repairs from major moisture related damage to the home.