Is your roof ready for the next season? Now is the time to get an inspection to see how well it handled the winter.
If it’s been a particularly harsh winter in your area, you’re probably glad that spring is around the corner. However, now could be the time to think about getting a professional inspection to see how well your roof survived the icy weather.
How Winter Affects Your Roof
Winter weather means snow, sleet, hail and freezing rain, which can all cause wear and tear on your roof’s shingles. Your shingles are made of asphalt embedded with ceramic granules to block sun damage. Over time the elements will wear off these granules, which age the shingle and leave it exposed to even more damage. Another phenomenon called ice-damming occurs in winter. Simply put, ice-damming is caused by the repeated cycle of freezing and thawing from your home’s heat against the outdoor cold of winter. As ice melts, the water will slowly work its way further beneath the roof shingles where it will refreeze and expand, causing cracks.
Look for Warning Signs
Once the weather starts warming up, it becomes much less dangerous to gain access to your roof. You can easily take a preliminary inspection of your roof before you call a professional. Start by examining the shingles, which are the easiest tells of roof deterioration. If your shingles are buckling, thin and bare, or even missing in some places, that means your roof is due for a repair. Your gutters will also reveal signs of roof wear. If a dark residue is flowing from your gutters that is the granules coming off of your shingles. Be sure to clean out any debris from your gutters while you can to prevent further roof damage from overflow. Lastly, take the inspection inside your house by looking at the attic, which is essentially the underside of your roof. Check for signs of water damage, like warping in the drywall and ceilings as well as dark spots of mold.
Next Steps
There are some simple fixes for an otherwise healthy roof that may have taken on some winter leaking. At the places where the roof meets other parts of your house such as skylights, vents, and chimneys, you can reinforce the seams around those areas with some roofing cement. But even if you found only a couple of the warning signs on your roof, you could have an underlying problem. It will save you more time and money, in the long run, to bring in a trusted professional to inspect your roof. While repairs and replacements may sound time-consuming and expensive, now that the seasons are thawing into the rainy months you will be glad that you took care of any roofing issues now.
Contact Blair Construction Today for Your Roofing Needs!
For roof repairs, remodeling, or a brand new roof installed by professionals you can trust, contact Blair Construction. We have been serving our valued Maryland customers for almost thirty years and look forward to giving your roof the care it needs for years to come. Contact us online or give us a call at (410) 729-0777 to get a free in-home estimate. To see examples of our work and get updates on what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+,LinkedIn,YouTube, and Houzz.