Rain season is time to inspect your roof

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by Rod Menzel

Ventura County Star, 10 March 2006
This time of year can bring surprisingly strong rainstorms to Ventura County. Considering all the strong winds in recent months, it’s probably wise to inspect your home’s roof.

To start, remember, safety first, use a firm ladder and wear sure-footed shoes. Rainy or windy days are not the time for roof climbing. In fact, most of the following tips can be conducted from the ground with binoculars.

Let’s start with the most common roof material, asphalt shingle roofs. Most sloped roofs with asphalt shingles last about 20 years, depending on various factors. Look for the first signs of an aging or failing roof: accumulation of granules in gutters, or on the ground where downspouts empty. This means the top shingle materials are loosening.

Second, look for black spots of asphalt bared by lost granules. These are generally easy to see, especially on light-colored roofs. This typically is the stage at which you should consider a re-roofing project. Other signs of deterioration include brittle or curled exposed shingle tabs, and cracked or broken shingles.

Not every home has asphalt shingles. In this area, wood shingles, shakes or tile are not uncommon.

Wood shakes or shingles are prone to rot in damp locations, such as near beaches. Wind and sunshine also can dry shakes or shingles, which causes cracking or splitting. Eventually, pieces can break loose, baring the roof to direct water exposure. Shingles also can curl and lift, making them susceptible to wind. Shakes or shingles can be replaced one at a time, but once a third of the overall surface shows some type of deformation, it’s probably time to consider re-roofing.

Tiles are prone to breaking, especially if you’ve been up there to place decorations, or paint, or tent for termites. In many cases the tiles have been broken since the house was built, by things flying through the air, or from flowing or freezing water.

Cracks or breaks are easy to spot. But harder to see is what’s underneath – the felt that provides waterproofing for the house. A professional can lift and save tiles, and if necessary install a new modified felt underlay, flashings and sheet metal. Then, unbroken tiles can be reinstalled.

Perhaps equally important is looking inside your home for leaks. A stain on a ceiling is obvious, but it’s best to climb into your attic to look for stains on the interior of the roof deck. Most roofing companies will not go this far for free, but any homeowner can do it with a flashlight. If a stain is noticed in the attic, you’re probably a few inches of rain away from drywall damage and a costly interior repair.

In our great spring and summer months, homeowners might be able to get by with an inadequate roof. But in the weeks ahead, overlooking your roof can prove costly.

Sure, an aging roof can give a poor visual appearance to your home. But more importantly, it can fail in its weather-defense role and leave your home open to water damage.

Rod Menzel of Moorpark is president and founder of Great American Roofing Company