Brought to you by A&L Roofing
The new year has begun, so it’s time to get your roof into excellent condition for 2023! With the the harsh winter weather upon us, it’s especially important to make sure your roof is in good condition to withstand the next few months.
A question to ask yourself is if you know the current condition of you roof? Have you recently had a professional inspect its condition and recommend repairs to extend the life of the roof? For most, it has been a while since attention has been given to their roof. Plus, if you are buying or selling a home, a roof inspection and maintenance is a must for the peace of mind that is so valuable in a real estate transaction. Let us put your mind at ease during the sale process.
At A&L Roofing, we recommend getting your roof professionally checked for repairs at least once every 3 to 5 years. In an inspection, we will check: The condition of the roof, exposed nails and/or staples, lifting shingles, missing shingles, sagging areas, and if any moss cleaning is needed.
Here are the key items we look for when inspecting a roof and what that might mean for future repairs. We recommend keeping an eye out for these things that are easy to visually inspect that can reveal if your roof could use attention!
- Roof Leaks: If your roof is leaking or has started to leak, you need a roof inspection and repair. Many leaks occur in valleys, which are considered very important areas of your roof. Rain flows through valleys ending into the gutters. If the valley is compromised, you will experience more and more roof leaks. Other leaks occur in and around pipe flashing, skylights, and chimney flashing.
- Metal Flashing Around Chimneys and Skylights: If you have any active leaks around these places, it may need to be replaced with a new flashing properly installed and sealed.
- Shingle Granules in the Gutters: When cleaning your gutters (which we can do for you), look inside to see if they are filled up with shingle granules. When reaching the end of its life, a roof tends to lose more granules. Inconsistent and darker colors or spots on some areas of your roof is another sign the shingles are losing granules.
- Shingles Curling & Buckling: Shingles curling and/or buckling is another sign that you may need a new roof. It could be a sign the shingles are past their life expectancy.
- Missing Shingles: This is a sign your roof could be failing. Check to see if all shingles are intact. Particularly after a storm or high wind, make sure there are no missing shingles.
- Age of Roof: The age of your roof is the single most important indicator of whether a new roof is due soon. Most experts agree that the life of a roof is between 20 and 25 years. In many cases that life is shortened if a new roof was installed over another layer of shingles. If a roof is not properly ventilated, it will also shorten the life of a new roof. When purchasing a new roof, ensure you understand the manufacturer’s warranty offer—please do your homework before you purchase a new roof from a contractor. Research if the roof includes a lifetime warranty. These are all important to keep your investment secure and worthwhile!
A&L Roofing is here to help with all your roofing needs, and we look forward to working with you this year. We pride ourselves on quick response times and friendly service, so call us at (503) 371-0179 to schedule a meeting to discuss what is best for your roof. We are here to help.
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This article appeared in the Real Estate Guide, February 2023.
