Summer Is the Right Time to Look at Your Roof
Let's talk roofs.
Flat roofs pool water, hide leaks, and age faster than most owners expect. Here is what every flat roof owner should be checking right now.
Summer is the best time to have your roof looked at, and it isn't because of the weather on your roof. It's because of the roofer's calendar. In August, he can actually get to you, take his time, and climb into your attic to look for daylight coming through. Daylight means water has a path in. In January, when it's pouring and every phone in his office is ringing, nobody is crawling through your attic for a preventive look.
I just had both of my roofs inspected. The flat roof needed all the leaves cleared out of the drains, which is exactly the thing that turns a manageable roof into a pond. The pitched roof surprised me. Every ridge cap was starting to crack and show wear, so I'm having those replaced now instead of in the middle of a storm.
What to check on a flat roof
- Drains and scuppers, completely clear
- Any standing water 48 hours after rain
- Seams and flashing around vents, skylights, and HVAC curbs
- Blisters, bubbles, or splits in the membrane
- Parapet walls and cap flashing
- Ceiling stains inside, especially at corners
What to check on a pitched roof
- Ridge caps for cracking
- Missing, slipped, or broken tiles and shingles
- Flashing at chimneys, valleys, and wall transitions
- Attic interior for daylight, staining, or damp insulation
The last thing you want during a torrential storm is a leak in your house. The best time to look at it is when the weather is beautiful and the roofer has an open week.
If you haven't had yours looked at in a while, message me and I'll send you a great roofer.
Annie Clougherty
DRE# 01716801
