Feb 4
Duane KingArticles, Exterior leaks, repair, roof
Don't allow yourself to succomb to fear when it comes to roof repair!
I have roofed more homes than I care to remember over the past thirty plus years. It is grueling work but I’m thankful for the knowledge that I gained from each one. This knowledge has enabled me to perform a proper, and more importantly, thorough inspection for each of my clients.
If you remember only one sentence from this article it should be the following one. Roof leaks seldom show up immediately. By the time you realize your roof is leaking a considerable amount of damage may have already occurred. So what can you do to avoid the unexpected? Get to know your roof as well as the guy that constructed it.
Identify the style of your roof – Each style of roof has its own unique characteristics and is designed to perform in a specific way. Flat, Gable, Hip, and Leanto are the most common types. A poorly designed roof will surely leak.
Identify the type of covering – This is the material that covers the entire roof and protects the underlying wooden components. Some kinds of material lasts longer than others but all will have to be replaced at some future time. Coverings are typically made from Asphalt, Fiberglass, and Metal. They come in various designs and are made to work with specific roof styles.
Identify valley areas – When opposing pitched sections of a roof meet a valley is created. Water traveling through the valley becomes concentrated causing it to wear faster than the rest of the roof. For this reason valleys must be reinforced to ensure that they will last as long as the other areas. There are basically two types of valley designs, opened and closed. Open valleys are not covered by the same material as the rest of the roof, i.e.asphalt shingled roof with metal valleys, and closed valleys are.
Identify flashings – All joints and openings in a roof must be protected from moisture penetration. This is achieved by installing “flashings”. Flashings are angled or molded pieces of material that are installed at key areas of the roof as the covering is being installed. Flashings are typically made from aluminum, plastic, and rubber and needed at chimneys, vent pipes, electrical masts, wall intersections, valleys, etc.. All flashings must be installed in a specific way in order to prevent water from getting under roof coverings where it will become trapped.
It is good practice to inspect your roof twice each year, late spring and again in the fall. Assess the overall condition of the covering, be mindful of any weak or soft spots that you feel, and examine areas that require flashing very thoroughly.
Duane
Feb 4
joedearmanExterior, Roofing downspouts, gutters, leaks, prevention
I have been asked the following question more times than I can remember. How important is it to clean out the gutters on my house?
Gutters and downspouts are the first line of defense in preventing water running off of the roof from entering into basement and crawlspace areas of our homes where it can create an ideal environment for bugs, promote mold growth, and cause damage.
When clean, and properly installed, gutters collect water from the roof and direct it away from foundation walls via downspouts. Properly installed gutters slope towards downspouts and downspouts should extend six to eight feet away from foundation walls or discharge the water to a surface that slopes away from the home. All seams should be thoroughly sealed to prevent leaks.
I recommend inspecting and cleaning gutters and downspouts in late spring after the trees have begun to leaf out and again in late fall after the leaves have fallen as part of an annual maintenance plan.
Feb 4
Duane KingArticles, Basement, Exterior, Structure Basement, downspouts, footing, grading, gutters, leaks, mold
The warm temperatures that we have been enjoying these past days have caused a lot of snow to melt. As a result, the ground has become saturated and cannot hold any more water.The excess water must go some where.
Some of it will find its way into basements and crawlspaces of homes that have clogged gutters and / or improperly graded landscaping that is not directing the water away from the home. This may in turn allow wall coverings, floor coverings, and appliances located in these areas to be damaged and promote mold growth too.
If the home is equipped with footing tile and a functional sump pump moisture infiltration should not be an issue. Monitor the operation of the sump pump daily though, as it may be running more frequently at this time. I have seen many pumps fail this time of the year.
Side Note: I have experienced a high number of interior plumbing leaks in vacant homes that have been recently de-winterized as well.
If you would like more information on basement leaks, grading, or gutters and downspouts please don’t hesitate to contact me
Feb 4
Duane KingArticles, Exterior, Roofing , foundation, leaks, moisture, roof, wall, water damage
I was performing some maintenance on my home the other day and became inspired. Please read on.
Protecting our homes from the elements is a constant battle, always has been, always will be. There are three areas where moisture can enter our home. These are Roof, Wall, and Foundation.
Following are some tips that will help you identify weak spots and win the battle when dealing with moisture intrusion:
Roofs – Any crack/opening in the roof can allow moisture infiltration to occur. Flashings are designed to protect joints and openings at chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, roof vents, and wall intersections. Damaged and/or improperly installed flashings will allow water to enter the home.
Walls – Any crack/opening in the wall can allow moisture infiltration to occur. Caulking is a putty-like substance used to seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and at wall intersections. When caulking becomes dry, cracked, and/or loose it should be removed and replaced.
Foundations – Any crack/opening in the foundation can allow moisture infiltration to occur. The amount of moisture, and damage, is magnified when gutters/downspouts are not functional or missing and grading is not directing water away from the wall. Sealing all openings and creating adequate drainage around the foundation is key.
I’ve tried to keep my explanations simple. If you would like more information about Home Maintenance, Moisture Intrusion, or Flashings please contact me
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