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New Roof or Maintenance?
If you are a homeowner of any sort, you know that home maintenance is crucial. Just like changing your oil to extend the life of your car, routine maintenance and roof replacement will protect your home. Most Homeowners are more than likely caught in the everyday shock of heat, water, and electricity consumption and most only pay attention to the little things they see in the home that need repair such as drywall and driveway imperfections.
It is obvious you need roof repair if you see one or more of the following
- Ceiling spots – caused by leaks in the roof
- Missing shingles – caused by improper fastening and exposure to high winds
- Shingle Curling – caused by water absorption
- Blistering – caused by moisture in the shingle and occurs when ventilation is inadequate
- Rotting – caused by absorption of moisture by the mat and is a common problem with organic based shingles
- Damaged Flashing – caused by improper installation on a new roof, drying and cracking on an old roof, dented by improper nailing, and the settling of the structure.
Indoor Roof Inspection
- Sagging decking between the rafters. If the decking is sagging or deteriorating, the decking will also require replacement when a new roof is installed.
- Outside light that can be seen through the roof. This may be common (and not a problem) on shake roofs, since the wooden shakes will swell during the wet months, effectively preventing any leaks.
- Signs of leaking in the attic (dark spots in the wood, especially around vents, chimneys, and other holes to the roof).
- Test dark spots in the wood to decide if they are old or current problems. If the spot is still wet, or if it is soft (test with a screwdriver), the spot is a current problem. If the spot is dry and hard, it is most likely an old problem that has been fixed.
- Signs of water damage or leaking (usually in the form of water stains, or sagging ceilings)–this could be due to an active leak in the roof or to condensation caused by poor roof ventilation.
If you observe any of the signs listed above, you need roof repairs or a full roof replacement. Depending on the degree of damage, you can decide what is best for you and your house.
Remember, the cost of fixing or replacing a roof is far less than dealing with the damage an old roof can cause to your home.
Energy Efficient Roofing
A high-performance roof can be a powerful asset in reducing energy consumption by becoming an energy efficient roof. When used with appropriate insulation on low-sloped or flat roofs, a high-emissivity Duro-Last Cool Zone reflective roofing system can:
- Reduce building energy consumption by up to 40 percent
- Improve insulation performance to reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain
- Preserve the efficiency of rooftop air conditioning
- Potentially reduce HVAC capacity requirements
- Decrease the effects of Urban Heat Islands and related urban air pollution