Your Own Personal Death Star
One of the most iconic things in the Star Wars saga is the Imperial Death Star. This battle station was the most formidable fortress a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. You may be asking, “What does this have to do with a roof?”
You see, the Death Star shares a few things in common with your own roof. It’s as cool as it sounds: your roof is much like a Death Star, complete with a variety of defensive features that protect you and the rest of your home from external threats. However, remember how the Death Star was destroyed because of a few small things left unchecked? That could also happen to your roof if you don’t pay attention to seemingly inconsequential issues. You need to stay on top of all roof problems, big or small, as part of your regular roof maintenance.
Signs of Deterioration
Getting help from the professionals is always a good thing, but you can’t just relegate all roof care duties to your roofer. They can’t always be there to check your roof for problems. You have to be hands on and diligently work on your home’s regular upkeep. When you do see signs of deterioration or find issues that require repair, don’t delay, call in the professionals as soon as possible. These signs include:
Roof Blisters – Easily seen by a homeowner, these bubbles are the result of water vapor trapped under the roofing material. A roof can become very hot during the heat of the day, causing the water to turn into gas and expand, forcing the felt up and thus the shingle.
Cracked or Curling Shingles – If the roof shingles are lifting up with curled edges, or are cracked and have smooth dark areas; your shingles are wearing out and need replacement. Once they have reached this stage, they won’t keep water out effectively. You may only have to replace the shingles that are bad and not all of them. However, this can mean that you are due for a roof replacement.
Flashing is Loose – Where there is a roof penetration such as a vent pipes, chimneys, skylights, or HVAC systems, flashing is needed to seal the area so water can’t get in. Flashing properly to avoid leaks takes a good bit of experience and skill. Many less experienced roofers fail in this area. By allowing water to penetrate, it can gradually cause wood to rot and damage other building materials.
Indoor signs your roof is failing – Not all signs that your roof is failing are seen on the roof itself. Many signs are revealed inside the home if the problem is becoming more serious. These include stains on the attic ceiling, on the ceiling of your rooms, or damp and moldy drywall where the water has leaked down.
Emperor Palpatine may have lacked foresight, but we can nonetheless take a cue from him not to make similar mistakes; that means making regular roof inspections to prevent problems. This will not only help you save on major repair expenses, but also extend the service life of your roof.
Do you want to know what threatens the safety of your roof? Check it out in Part 2 of this blog series, coming soon!