How to tell if you need to make repairs
It’s important to inspect your flat roof regularly to catch a small problems before they becomes a bigger ones.
From outside:
If it’s possible to do so safely stand on a ladder at roof level looking at the overall appearance of the roof. Look of indicators of a potential roof problem:
1. Blisters
If not already broken, blisters eventually will break, which may allow for water to enter the roof. If you find any blisters, slit them with a knife and then coat them with asphalt roofing patch material commonly known as roofing cement.
2. Depressions
These will typically appear around vent pipes where water can collect and begin leaking through cracks in the surface. Fill them with roofing cement.
3. Exposed Nails
Exposed nails could become the source of a leak.
4: Sagging
Look for sagging along the ridges or in the middle of the roof
5: Flashing
Inspect the flashing carefully. Look around plumbing vents and chimneys. Rusty or loose flashing is a sign of trouble. Step flashing around chimneys must be well embedded in the mortar between bricks. Where a vertical side of the house meets the roof, such as along dormer walls, flashing should be firmly in place or it is a potential leak. Acid in wood can also eat away at flashing over the years.
6: Gutters
Check gutters closely for sagging and signs of leaks between sections. Are the downspouts firmly in place and directing water away from the house foundations? Look for significant accumulation of granules in your rain gutters. Some granules are normal, but a lot, combined with dark patches on your shingles is a sign of an aging roof.
7: Consistently moist areas
Areas that are consistently moist can cause mildew to form. Prevent it by regularly removing wet leaves that collect in certain parts of the roof.
From inside:
Go into the attic, keeping safety in mind
1. Leaks
Look for signs of leaks. Dark stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking material generally indicate water trails. Look for water signs around plumbing vent pipes and along chimneys, skylights and valleys. If you find dark spots see if they are still wet or are old. Push a sharp screwdriver into the wood. If it is soft it is a sign of rot. If the wood is stained but still dry and firm during your rainy season it way be an old leak that has been repaired.
2. Light
Look up through the roof for any pinpoints of light. If you find one run a thin length of wire up through it so you can find it on the roof. Do not widen the hole.
3. Sagging
Look for sagging sheating between rafters. This is one sign of an old roof in need of repair. Sagging or cracked rafters will require repair or replacement as part of a new roof installation.
If you need repairs on your roof we have a highly experienced and reliable team ready to get the job done right. Contact Precision today for a free estimate.
