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Checking Your Roof Safely

Generally, homeowners should have Monmouth County roofing professionals out to their property twice a year for basic maintenance. The roof shouldn’t be neglected otherwise, however. Savvy homeowners know damage occurs at any time of year. Knowing how to check the roof safely if there’s a concern is a smart way to stay on top of any potential problems. Roofers are always available to help residents when necessary.

Use a sturdy ladder and a spotter on the ground to access the roof. Don’t try to perform this maintenance chore without a helper nearby. The first area to check at the ladder’s peak is the home’s fascia, gutters and drip edge. Fascia is the painted lumber attached underneath the roof’s eaves. Look for any signs of rot or damage on the lumber. The drip edge is just above the fascia. It should be connected firmly to the roof. The hanging rain gutters need to have strong fasteners and connections to the fascia. Professionals typically deal with these accessories when inspecting the roof.

Look past the roof’s edge to see the shingles. Mentally note any shingles that appear damaged or missing. This inspection often takes place after a weather event. Roofing material may have been damaged from winds, for example. Do not try to fix the shingles during this inspection.

It’s best to see the damage’s extent before devising a repair plan.

Also inspect any flashing around vents or chimneys. These metal pieces should be firmly in place. If any flashing is missing, it needs to be repaired immediately. Flashing covers key connection or transition points on the roof. If left exposed, moisture quickly leaks between the roofing material and decking. The interior could have a leak in a matter of hours without proper flashing.

Call a roofer when damage is obvious from a personal inspection. Even if the damage is minimal, contact a professional anyway because appearances are deceiving. Once the roofer takes a close look, there could be even more damage not seen initially. Because homeowners act quickly with their own personal roof evaluation, significant savings are possible. Repairing the roof may be all that’s necessary. If the damage was left unchecked, multiple leaks into the home would be inevitable.

Ask the professional about any roofing subject to further the household’s knowledge base. Understanding key features to look for during an inspection helps both the customer and roofer. It’s almost impossible to miss a leak or broken shingle with two pairs of eyes looking over the space. Have a question regarding new roofs or skylight installation? Ask the roofers from Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ.

Roofers term courtesy of Fortified Roofing, Monmouth County NJ:

Drip edge

Vinyl or metal section attached to roof’s edge to create a weather-resistant area for water to flow. Although shingles are meant to be water-resistant, adding drip edges makes the roof installation much more impermeable to possible leaks into the decking below.

Monmouth County roofers Fortified Roofing answers a question:

Is it ever safe to walk across a roof to check for damage?

Homeowners may be tempted to walk across the entire roof for an inspection, but this action is unwise and dangerous. Allow professionals to survey hard-to-reach areas. Even if the roof isn’t severely sloped, damaged roof areas can cause a person to fall through the decking or off the roof entirely.

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