The do it yourself audit
Stay Safe - Stay Off your ladder and off the roof. Inspect your roof with binoculars for possible problems or tree-related damage after a storm. You can find most problems from the safety of you yard or a trip to the attic. Here is a check list that will help you identify problems.
A Two Part DIY Roofing Audit
Use a pair of binoculars (or stand on a ladder at roof level if you are accustom to ladders and have someone holding the ladder for you as a precaution). Look at the appearance of your roof from every side. In particular, look for the following indicators of potential roof problems:
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Are there tree branches making contact with your shingles? Tree branches will loosen your shingles, but please do not DIY use a qualified tree professional – stay off the roof!
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Are there any blistered, curled, or split shingles? If there are only a few you’re in luck, it’s likely only a repair job. However, if the general appearance is a roof full of blistered, curled, or split shingles, you may need to re-roof.
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Are there loose or missing shingles or tiles? Again, number and severity will dictate whether a repair or re-roofing is needed.
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Do you see any exposed nails? Exposed nails and other fasteners are a source of leaks.
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If your roof covering composition (asphalt) shingles check for dark patches, which indicate the granular coating has worn away.
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Examine your rain gutters for significant accumulation of granules. Small amounts granule deposits is normal. However, a lot combined with dark patches on your shingles, is a sign of older roof.
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Is the roof surface straight? Does there appear to be any sagging along the ridges or in the middle of the roof?
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Check to see if any shingles have broken or have worked loose where the ridges of the roof meet the hips. .
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Any rusty metal or displaced shingles along the valley are signs of roof weaknesses.
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Inspect the flashing around plumbing vents and chimneys. Loose shingles or rusty, loose flashing is a sign of trouble.
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Step flashing around chimneys should be embedded in the mortar between bricks. If the flashing is loose or unseated, call a roofer.
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Flashing should be firmly in place where a vertical side of the house meets the roof, such as along dormer walls. If it is not you have a potential for leaks.
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Inspect your gutters for sagging and any signs of leaks between sections. Are your downspouts securely in place and directing water away from the foundation of the house?
On a Rainy Day
On
a rainy day or after a hard rain go up to the attic and have a good look
around, be sure you have a good source of light.
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Check the attic for signs of leaks. Stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking material could indicate water trails.
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Examine the attic for water signs around plumbing vent pipes and along chimneys, skylights, and valleys.
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When you find a dark spot see if it is wet or just an old stain.
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Push a sharp screwdriver or pick into the wood. Soft spots are a sign of rot.
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If the wood is stained yet dry and firm after a hard rain it may be an old leak that has been repaired.
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Look up through the roof for any sources of light even small pinpoints.
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Shake roofs in particular may show daylight during the summer months, but the wood will swell shut again with the first rains.
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Look for sagging sheathing between rafters; sagging is a sign of an old roof that very likely needs repair.
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Sagging or cracked rafters will definitely require repair or replacement as part of a new roof installation.
Found a Problem?
If you see a possible problem the next step is to call a qualified roofer. Contact Doucet Roofing for a Free Professional Audit. Simply pick up the phone and call 781. 608. 4816 or email us. Why lose sleep over a problem that you can fix now and save money by avoiding a larger repair later
781-608-4816
Serving Wolbrun
and surrounding area