Why Regular Roofing Inspections and Maintenance? & (Typical Causes of Flat Roof leak Problems)
Roofing (in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Taos, NM) is constantly exposed to the elements, structural shifting, and stresses as well as chemicals in the atmosphere all take their toll on your roof. Tell Tale Signs of Aging occur on all roofs, wear and tear stemming from neglect, abuse, contamination, and accident can result in expensive repairs or premature failure of the roofing system, if not detected. A Regular inspection program will help detect minor problems before they become big ones, avoiding interruptions of work going on inside the building, and most importantly, protecting the owner’s investment and adding many years to the life of a roof.
Setting up a Roofing Maintenance Program
.A Good Maintenance Program has Two Most important Components.
1. Roof Inspection Schedule: For best results two inspections should be sheduled every year. These inspections should take place in the spring and in the fall. Your Spring inspection is to check on damage that may have taken place during the winter. And the fall inspection should be conducted to make sure that the roof is in good working order for the oncoming winter months. Spot Inspections should be conducted after any other unique occurrences that might affect the roof. (Including: large storms, construction activities, fires, high winds, etc
2. Thorough Inspections: Each component of the roofing system should be thoroughly inspected and detailed notes made of any pooling or poor drainage, general deterioration, out of the ordinary traffic patterns, displacement or loss of ballast, bubbling or cracking or other conditions. The inspection should also include looking at the condition of any chimneys and chimney flashing visible above the roof surface.
(Typical Causes of Flat Roof leak Problems)
A. Simple Lack of Maintenance
Roof deterioration is often the result of failure to find and correct minor roof problems at the earliest stages. This is most often true of roofing materials applied on relatively low-sloped roofs.
B. Common Weathering
Exposure to the weather causes all roofing materials to deteriorate at rates determined most often by the kind of material and the conditions of exposure. Generally , non-organic roofing materials tend to deteriorate less rapidly from exposure than organic roofing materials. Hail may damage all types of roofing materials. Exposure to industrial or salt-laden atmospheres and air pollutants may accelerate the deterioration process of some roofing materials.
C. Damaging Winds
Strong Winds and flying debris may cause roofing materials significant damage. Roofs are not designed to withstand winds of hurricane and tornado intensity. Moderate wind intensity, with gust that may reach 50 to 75 miles per hour can also cause damage. The biggest cause of wind damage is from the partial vacuum created by wind blowing over the edge of the roof. Nature tries to neutralize the low-pressure area by bringing in air from a higher pressure area, usually from inside the building. The air pushes up on the bottom side of the roof assembly and, over time, loosens fasteners and breaks the adhesion making the roof susceptible to damage from the next moderate or strong wind. To balance the effects of wind-uplift forces, the roofing and insulation and perimeter detail should be securely fastened.
(For More information or to schedule an Inspection call Matt at: 505-795-2974 or 505-350-7717)