Roof inspection Services |
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Roof-covering materials
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Gutters/Downspouts
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Damage - Hail, wind, splitting
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Roof Penetrations - Vents, skylights, flashing, chimney
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Integrity of structure - leaks, slope, design, construction
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No roof construction is immune from the need for maintenance. One of the most important things you can do to maintain an impermeable roof is cleaning debris from valleys and gutters. After a storm, debris in the valleys can result in water wicking under shingles. This places the interior of the roof at risk of damage. Similarly, clogged rain gutters can result in water flowing back under shingles and roof eaves. Regardless of the composition of your roof (shingle, wood shake, tile, or metal), the best way to preserve your roof is to stay off of it! It is important to know the differences in construction and durability of roofing materials:
Concrete and Tile
Concrete roofing tiles are composed of colored, extruded concrete. Traditional tiles are made from clay. A combination of concrete and clay roofing presents a unique aesthetic appeal, but are also durable and require low maintenance. In addition, they are environmentally friendly and can be conducive to your energy budget. Installation costs can often exceed those of other materials, but the longevity, safety, and durability of tile roofing has resulted in it becoming the most prevalent material used worldwide. The ability to resist some of the most dangerous elements are unmatched when compared to other roofs. One important component of the tile roof is the sub-roof, which depends on the quality of flashing's and underlayment systems. Unlike other traditional roofs, tile roofs increase in strength over time, and can protect your home anywhere from 50 years to it's full lifetime.Whether you are a homeowner or a prospective homeowner, an essential component to keeping a roof functioning properly is maintenance. Routine maintenance should include cleaning leaves and debris from roof valleys and gutters, especially following storms. If left unchecked, valleys can develop debris aggregation which can wick under the shingles and result in a damage to the interior roofing structure. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to flow backwards under the eaves and shingles. This water can seep in to damage the attic or even the electrical wiring of your home if not caught early enough.
Single-Ply
Single-ply roofing membranes are synthetic materials divided into flexible sheets. These membranes include thermosets, thermoplastics, and modified bitumen's. One advantage seen with factory production is the consistency and quality seen in their sheets. Single-ply can be attached in a number of different ways and compounded for watertight integrity, extending the life of the roof. Thermoset membranes are comprised of numerous rubber polymers (most commonly EPDM, or "rubber roofing") that can withstand the sunlight and chemical exposure that damages most roofs. Thermoplastic membranes (most commonly PVC, or polyvinyl chloride) include plasticizers which allow the roof to be flexible. Durability for these membranes are mostly due to their seams which are produced using chemical or heat welding. Polyester and fiberglass reinforcement layers provide dimensional stability. Modified bitumen membranes are a combination of other roofing materials with the benefits of singly-ply formulation technology and traditional built-up roofing. Asphalt layers are fabricated using rubber or plastic ingredients ("modified") with aPP (atactic polypropylene) or SBS (styrene butadiene styrene). Modified bitumen roofs are flexible, strong, and stable.
Concrete and Tile
Concrete roofing tiles are composed of colored, extruded concrete. Traditional tiles are made from clay. A combination of concrete and clay roofing presents a unique aesthetic appeal, but are also durable and require low maintenance. In addition, they are environmentally friendly and can be conducive to your energy budget. Installation costs can often exceed those of other materials, but the longevity, safety, and durability of tile roofing has resulted in it becoming the most prevalent material used worldwide. The ability to resist some of the most dangerous elements are unmatched when compared to other roofs. One important component of the tile roof is the sub-roof, which depends on the quality of flashing's and underlayment systems. Unlike other traditional roofs, tile roofs increase in strength over time, and can protect your home anywhere from 50 years to it's full lifetime.Whether you are a homeowner or a prospective homeowner, an essential component to keeping a roof functioning properly is maintenance. Routine maintenance should include cleaning leaves and debris from roof valleys and gutters, especially following storms. If left unchecked, valleys can develop debris aggregation which can wick under the shingles and result in a damage to the interior roofing structure. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to flow backwards under the eaves and shingles. This water can seep in to damage the attic or even the electrical wiring of your home if not caught early enough.
Single-Ply
Single-ply roofing membranes are synthetic materials divided into flexible sheets. These membranes include thermosets, thermoplastics, and modified bitumen's. One advantage seen with factory production is the consistency and quality seen in their sheets. Single-ply can be attached in a number of different ways and compounded for watertight integrity, extending the life of the roof. Thermoset membranes are comprised of numerous rubber polymers (most commonly EPDM, or "rubber roofing") that can withstand the sunlight and chemical exposure that damages most roofs. Thermoplastic membranes (most commonly PVC, or polyvinyl chloride) include plasticizers which allow the roof to be flexible. Durability for these membranes are mostly due to their seams which are produced using chemical or heat welding. Polyester and fiberglass reinforcement layers provide dimensional stability. Modified bitumen membranes are a combination of other roofing materials with the benefits of singly-ply formulation technology and traditional built-up roofing. Asphalt layers are fabricated using rubber or plastic ingredients ("modified") with aPP (atactic polypropylene) or SBS (styrene butadiene styrene). Modified bitumen roofs are flexible, strong, and stable.
Wood
The character and appearance seen with wood shakes offer a natural look that no other material can. The flexibility of cut, color and thickness means no two wood roofs are created equal. In contrast to asphalt shingles, the small gaps between the wood shakes allow air to "breathe" through the roof and even helps to insulate the attic. When it comes to maintenance and repair, wooden roofs tend to demand a higher degree of attention than others. Due to their obvious fire risk, some pressure treated shakes can be combined with fire retardants, but are limited in their duration of protection. Cedar tree heartwood shakes are of highest quality, but can be difficult to find. Outside of the heartwood, other woods tend to be more prone to twisting and warping, further limiting their lifespan.
Asphalt
Asphalt roofing is the most common material utilized today. Shingles, modified bitumen membranes, roll-roofing, and built-up roofing are all asphalt products. Often it presents an economical option for residential roofing. Asphalt shingles come in four different types: strip, laminated, interlocking, and large individual shingles. Laminated shingles utilize additional layers of tabs to provide extra thickness. Interlocking shingles are most effective at reducing the damaging effects of wind. Individual shingles are shaped in a hexagon or rectangle.
Metal
Metal roofing is primarily constructed with steel or aluminum and sometimes copper, among others. Steel roofing is coated with galvanized zinc or a combination of zinc and aluminum to reduce the corrosion rate. Metal roof design includes traditional seam and batten, shakes, shingles and tiles. When it comes to rain, hail, and bad weather, metal roofs provide a solid sheathing that controls noise as effectively as any other roofing material. For ice damming at the eves, however, metal roofs are especially helpful. Although they tend to cost more than asphalt, their lifespan can range from 2-3 times longer than shingles made of wood or asphalt.
The character and appearance seen with wood shakes offer a natural look that no other material can. The flexibility of cut, color and thickness means no two wood roofs are created equal. In contrast to asphalt shingles, the small gaps between the wood shakes allow air to "breathe" through the roof and even helps to insulate the attic. When it comes to maintenance and repair, wooden roofs tend to demand a higher degree of attention than others. Due to their obvious fire risk, some pressure treated shakes can be combined with fire retardants, but are limited in their duration of protection. Cedar tree heartwood shakes are of highest quality, but can be difficult to find. Outside of the heartwood, other woods tend to be more prone to twisting and warping, further limiting their lifespan.
Asphalt
Asphalt roofing is the most common material utilized today. Shingles, modified bitumen membranes, roll-roofing, and built-up roofing are all asphalt products. Often it presents an economical option for residential roofing. Asphalt shingles come in four different types: strip, laminated, interlocking, and large individual shingles. Laminated shingles utilize additional layers of tabs to provide extra thickness. Interlocking shingles are most effective at reducing the damaging effects of wind. Individual shingles are shaped in a hexagon or rectangle.
Metal
Metal roofing is primarily constructed with steel or aluminum and sometimes copper, among others. Steel roofing is coated with galvanized zinc or a combination of zinc and aluminum to reduce the corrosion rate. Metal roof design includes traditional seam and batten, shakes, shingles and tiles. When it comes to rain, hail, and bad weather, metal roofs provide a solid sheathing that controls noise as effectively as any other roofing material. For ice damming at the eves, however, metal roofs are especially helpful. Although they tend to cost more than asphalt, their lifespan can range from 2-3 times longer than shingles made of wood or asphalt.
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Home inspection services
Electrical
roofing
basement/foundation
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attic
Fireplace
hvac
RADON |
door/window/ interior
Plumbing
exterior
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