Resources
Understanding your roof and building envelope is a time-consuming task that requires knowledge, experience, education and time. We want to help you make informed decisions and so we created a page where you can find helpful links and tips that dive into the roofing industry and relevant fields. Here we provide information about basic roof deficiencies and how to identify them, situations that may require our expertise, incentives regarding solar panel installation and more.
Common Shingle Roof Deficiencies
Some of the common asphalt shingle roof issues a homeowner can identify from the ground level of the home are :
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Lifting shingles.
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Missing shingles.
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Excessive moss & algae growth.
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Buckling or sagging roof.
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Damaged shingles.
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Fascia damage.
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Gutter damage.
If you can spot these deficiencies from the ground level of your home, it is time to call in a professional to evaluate the condition of your roof and property. Simple fixes can become big ticket expenses if they are left unattended.
Interior Leak Damage
Sometimes moisture intrusion may cause damage in the house or building that may mimic a roof leak. Understanding the way moisture moves and identifying areas of concern is a task that requires education, proper equipment and experience. Some questions to ask yourself are :
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The pattern of the moisture. Is it a puddle like appearance or does it appear to wick ?
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Is the moisture pattern around a recessed lighting fixture ?
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Is the moisture pattern below a plumbing line or HVAC line ?
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Is the moisture pattern at an intersection where a wall meets a ceiling or the corner of a room ?
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Does leaking occur only during high wind and rain episodes ?
These are just a few of the questions you need to keep in mind. Our inspections are objective and evaluate the entire property to determine the source your moisture intrusion, which may not be a leak after all. In some cases, insulation deficiencies and other defects with no relation to the roof are causing issues in your home or building.
DIY Flat Roof Maintenance
A flat roof sounds like a simple roof system, but is actually more complex than some would think. Keep in mind, if you decide to maintain your roof and periodically monitor the roof surface, to be mindful of where you are walking and to not step on any debris such as fasteners, as this may cause a puncture in the roof material and cause a leak. To understand the performance and maintenance of a flat roof system, particular knowledge regarding a building envelope and its relation to the roof system is imperative. Here we will provide some helpful tips to prolong and maintain the life of your flat roof :
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Check the access point to the roof any signs of moisture damage.
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Ensure drain screens are present and unobstructed.
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If you have a scupper drain system, make sure its clear of any debris.
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Remove any debris and foreign objects from the roof (garbage, branches, buckets etc.).
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Check for evidence of ponding (discoloration of roof material with a puddle like appearance).
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Check roof penetration flashings for any signs of deterioration or damage.
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Check for any damage or deterioration to the roof surface (cracking, peeling, blistering, billowing, etc.)
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Soft spots of the roof when walking are a concern and need to be addressed.
Some roof systems make it more difficult to identify basic issues due to factors such as roof coatings, ballast, safe roof accessibility or even the roof material itself being prone to damage by being walked on. It is important to hire a professional to evaluate the roof and determine your next course of action.
Specialized Roof Systems
Specialized roof systems such as cedar shake roofs, metal roofs, tile roofs and slate roofs require specific knowledge to inspect, repair and replace. It is strongly encouraged to hire a professional with experience to these unique roofing systems for any type of inspecting or contracting work. Damage can be done to these roofs just by walking on them incorrectly. Some common deficiencies with these systems are :
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Splitting shingles (cedar shake).
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Cupping shake shingles (cedar shake).
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Missing panels or damaged standing seams (standing seam metal roof).
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Rust and deterioration (metal roofs).
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Slipped tiles (cement tile, terracotta tile).
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Slipped or cracked slate.
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Damaged slate.
Some of these defects may not be visible from the ground level, which is why it is important to hire a professional to provide you with an independent evaluation of the roof. This will make you aware of any deferred maintenance and bring to your attention any items that require attention before they become big ticket expenses. These roof systems have longer life spans and are typically more expensive to replace. Repairs can prolong the serviceable expectancy of your roof system.
Gutters & Downspouts
The gutter system of your home or building is just as important as the roof. Gutters and downspouts can be aluminum, copper, zinc, vinyl, and steel. Maintaining the gutters is detrimental to achieving optimum drainage of your roof system, whether it be a flat roof or a pitched roof. Some properties have unique architectural features that may be pleasing to the eye, but pose a level of difficulty when it comes to proper drainage and gutter integration.
The most common maintenance procedure that people are aware of is gutter cleaning. This task should be performed (2) times a year at minimum, and quarterly if the property has overhanging or surrounding trees and vegetation. All of our inspections cover the gutter system to determine its performance and current condition as well as proper installation. But more times than not, we come across gutter systems that are improperly installed which can lead to premature roof deterioration and possible leaking, which in turn costs you money, for something preventable.
Here are some things to look for :
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Kick-out flashing (water diverter flashing where a gutter terminates at a wall).
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Downspout extensions that divert water away from the home.
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Gutters that terminate directly on a roof surface.
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Gutters with no end caps.
Helpful Links
Here we provide you helpful links for you to explore at your leisure. We believe in being transparent, upfront and most importantly, resourceful to our clients. The following links bring awareness and education to some topics related to roofs.
Solar panel installation & government incentive programs :
Dangers of mold and microbial growth :
Roof & balcony inspections :
Your roof & insurance claims (Remember us when you have to file an insurance claim) :
Importance of independent roof inspections :