A house’s roofing system provides the structure and support needed for decades. There is always a chance that there are weaker areas in a roof, though, making routine maintenance and roof repairs necessary. If you devote the time and effort into taking the precautions of maintaining your roof, you will see the payoff, big time. Your overall roof lifespan will likely greatly be increased by this effort. Getting an annual inspection by a roofing contractor in Ann Arbor Michigan can help to prevent potential problems with the roof. A roof inspection can also alert you when you may need to get a new roof installed on your home before it fails completely.
Problem Areas a Roofer in Ann Arbor Michigan will Check During an Inspection
Many time the roofing that is installed on your home will last a long time. In fact, most of the roofing systems today will last for 15 years or more. There are even some roofing materials and systems today that can last up to 50 years or even more. No matter what type of roofing system you have installed it’s best to have it regularly checked by a qualified roofing contractor. In fact, getting an annual roof inspection can help to prevent many problems from occurring on your home’s roof.
Many times the components on the roof will fail long before the roofing materials themselves. A roofer will check these areas as well when doing a roof inspection. Here are some common areas where roofing system problems could hide:
Flashing – Roofs on residential property often contain valleys and edges. These edges are sealed by something called flashing. This is the mainline of defense against rain and UV rays as well as other harsh elements. After storms or significant weather events, this area is more likely to be damaged, though, so it is crucial to check this and make repairs as needed.
Fascia – Often during a roof inspection, there will be extra care taken to examine the quality of your fascia as well as the current condition. This is the wood or metal trim running along the lower edge of the roof. The primary role of fascia is to protect the inner components of the roof system, so it is very important that this portion of the roof structure is maintained.
Soffit – Directly below the fascia is the soffit or your roof, which is responsible for ventilating the roof. You should keep an eye out for pest infestations, holes, and cracks to keep this area of the roof maintained and protected from damage. This portion of the roof should be built from waterproof material so that it best withstands the elements it is faced with.
Ventilation Pipes and Fans – Many times the roof will also contain components that help the roof with ventilation. When there are problems with the ventilation on the roof it will cause the roof to fail prematurely. Although initially this may not result in a roof leak it will start to damage the roofing over time. Ensure all ventilation and fans are free and clear to allow air to move freely through.
Skylights and Chimneys – Although these are becoming less and less common on homes they can still cause problems on your home’s roof. Typically the areas around skylights or chimneys are sealed by using rubber insulation and sometimes tar depending on how it was installed. Over time with the seal expanding and contracting through heat transfer it can cause it to crack and ultimately end in a roof leak. A roofing contractor will check the areas around any roof components like this and look for cracks and other problems that may be present.
Schedule a Roof Inspection on Your Home
In order to fully understand just what condition your roof is in you’ll need to get a full roof inspection on your Ann Arbor Michigan home. Having a qualified roofing contractor such as Ann Arbor Remodeling Contractor inspect the roof can give you much more information about your roof and help you make better choices if it needs to be replaced. Call Ann Arbor Remodeling Contractor today at 734-619-1271 to schedule your roof inspection. It’s best to do so at least once per year especially if your roof is older than 5 years.
