Roof Inspection Checklist for Spring
It is obvious that the roof is subject to wear and tear hence it needs to be inspected on a regular basis to determine if there are areas that need repair or the entire roof needs to be replaced. Fall and spring are considered the best times of the year to conduct a routine inspection of your roof. This is because the elements of weather are not too harsh at this time.
Moreover, establishing problems early goes a long way in saving money. Roof inspection is best done by a professional who understands the features of the different types of roofs and is able to tell if something is out of place. This is also a great move in avoiding potential accidents that can result in death or serious injuries. In addition, it also saves you money because when repairs are done on time, the roof will last through its projected lifespan before a replacement can be done.
One of the questions that then comes to mind when you talk of roof inspection is what needs to be on your checklist? This is particularly important if you opt to inspect the roof of your Utah County house on your own as opposed to engaging a professional. To begin with, you will need to observe safety measures that include having a solid ladder that is tied to the roof well to prevent it from falling. In addition, you also need to avoid wearing loose clothing that can be trapped and cause a fall.
Whether you are inspecting the roof of a house in West Valley or Salt Lake County, here are some of the things that you must have on your checklist. First, you will need look out for blisters, buckling and curling on the shingles, as these are signs of reduced life expectancy and possible failure. Secondly, you also need to check for the presence of shingle granules in your gutters because a heavy presence indicates that the shingles are at the end of their life expectancy.
The attic space is another area that needs to be inspected because in some cases, water may cause stains that are visible from below. These stains may also be visible in the interior on the ceilings and wall. The chimney also needs to be inspected for safety as well as ensure that it is in its proper place. Thus, when you detect any mortar or bricks that are loose then they must be re-pointed immediately.
Other items that need to be on your roof inspection checklist for your house in West Jordan include flashing and vents. Generally, you must ensure that metal flashing is in perfect condition that adequately covers the seams of the roof structure. In summary, although it is advisable to contract a professional roofer to inspect your roof, you can also carry out this task as long as you have the right gear and you are aware of the things that you need to check because they serve as pointers as to whether you need to repair or replace your roof.
Types of Roofs
A roof is one of the essential parts that complete different types of structures that are used as homes or even for commercial purposes. In fact, without the roof the building may not be functional because it offers protection from snow, rain, the sun and other environmental conditions to the interior. In addition, roofs also add aesthetic value to buildings. This means that regardless of whether your structure is in Utah county or even Salt Lake county, the roof will serve the same purpose. Even there are different types of roofs that are selected based on a person’s unique needs like cultural influences as well as geographical location among other factors. This goes a long way in explaining why the types of roofs in Orem may vary from those in Provo.
There are ten types of roofs that you can find in different places based on the specific needs that they serve like giving the building a new look or protecting it from harsh environmental elements. Different types of roofs give different feel as well as look for your home. One of these is Gable roof that is also quite popular when it comes to roofing for homes. In this kind of roofing, two roof surfaces of the same size are usually pitched at the same angle effectively creating a ridge at the top while also forming a triangular roof. One of the advantages of this roof is that the design is cheap and easy to make. Moreover, it offers good ventilation as well as more ceiling space. Even then, this roof is not recommended for those areas that experience high wind because it is highly likely to be damaged.
The Flat roof is another type of roof that comes with a slight slope that is instrumental in shedding off water from the roof effectively earning the roof another name low slope roofs. The main advantage of this roof is that it requires fewer materials and is thus economical. The flipside of these types of roofs is that they need re-roofing often because the materials do not last longer than 20 years. In addition, if the water that is pooled on the roof is not cleared regularly then it can damage the room. This type of roof is also not recommended for areas that experience lots of rains as well as snow. Cross Gabled roof is the other type of roof that is similar to gable roof except that it has two parts that cross and are joined at a right angle forming two ridges standing perpendicular to each other. However, the pitches, length, as well as heights may or may not differ. This type of roofing is recommended for Murray as well as Draper style homes.
You cannot talk about types of roofs without mentioning Mansard roof that has two different slopes on either side with the upper portion having a low slope that allows water to run off while the lower part has a steep pitch that has dormers. The other type of roof is the hipped roof that has similarities with the gable roof but is recommended for areas that experience hurricanes or high winds. This roof comes with less internal roof space and lesser storage areas. A similar type is the Cross Hip Roof that has two parts that cross and meet at a valley as the name suggests. The other type of a roof that s similar to the gable roof is the saltbox roof whose sides are not symmetrical. Other types of roofs include the bonnet roof, gambrel roof, shed roof and pyramidal hip roof. In summary, whether you are looking to put up any of the different types of roofs discussed above for your home or commercial building in West Valley, Sandy, Lehi, West Jordan or any other location, it is important to take into account a number of factors to ensure durability and proper functionality while saving on costs in the long run.
The Importance of Proper Roof Ventilation
Proper ventilation is one of the important factors that any roofing contractor must take into account when working on the different types of roofs. This is because proper ventilation has been found to protect your roof from premature aging by increasing its longevity as well as its energy efficiency levels. That is, proper ventilation goes a long way in ensuring your experience drier attic during winter and cooler attic during summer. In addition, it is also instrumental in the prevention of ice dams. This means that if you home does not have proper ventilation then you are likely to experience up to 140 degrees of heat in the attic. This combined with moisture usually damages the roofing shingles as well as the decking and this eventually causes them to deteriorate prematurely.
Proper roof ventilation for your house in Utah County should therefore consist of an exhaust and an intake that ensures fresh air is well circulated regularly. This is best achieved by engaging certified roofing professionals to do the fitting that will ensure foul air is drained through the replacement of fresh air. This is achieved by making accurate calculations that will balance the room temperature of your house perfectly well regardless of the season. Consequently, you will also not experience problems like the buildup of moisture within the attic that causes the roof to decay or record other damages in the form of warping, splitting or cracking.
Proper ventilation is also paramount to ensuring that the roof of your Salt Lake County house is free of moisture. Unfortunately, many people do not understand that a lot o the moisture that is likely to destroy the ceiling is generated within the house through the use of various home appliances like the washing machine and fridge among others. In addition, the human body also contributes to the generation of moisture that must not be allowed to build up within the house, as it is likely to destroy the roof. Therefore, a proper roof ventilation mechanism is recommended.
Proper roof ventilation is instrumental in protecting your home in West Valley from infiltration by dirt and even harsh weather effectively guaranteeing you durability of your roof. A good ventilation system is also pivotal in preventing problems that are associated with structural stress. The ventilation systems are usually driven by natural wind that is accessed through doors and windows to draw air upwards while creating convection current, effectively extracting the stale air that is also hot.
In order to get proper ventilation for your house, you must ensure that you get an experienced roofing contractor that understands the different types of roofing systems and how they are best suited for different establishments. In summary, proper roof ventilation is essential in every building because not only does it contribute to the management of moisture but also enhances the longevity of the roof effectively helping to cut down on expenses associated with repairs and re-roofing that may sometimes be in your budget.
