Outside Spaces

Roof Maintenance

The most important part of the physical structure of your house is your roof. This part of the house is exposed to high winds, pouring rain, sleet and snow and therefore most susceptible to damage. The roof of your house should be inspected after every winter to assess roof damage. Making this a habit will save you sudden unexpected expenses, that can arise from repairs that are need to repair a damaged roof. A well-maintained roof is the best protection that you can give the physical structure of your house.

Unless you have experience working on the roof, we suggest you make your inspection with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Using a pair of binoculars, look for cracked, broken or missing shingles.

Most roofing contractors will be able to make any needed repairs.

Here’s what to look for:

Asphalt roofs are intended to last only for about 15 years. Roofs made of slate, clay and tile can last for longer only when well maintained. Experts have found that most owners do not inspect their roofs regularly. Here are a few things that you should remember while inspecting your roof for damages:

• Check if there any trees growing close to the roof. Trees can cause enormous amount of damage to the roof. Branches of trees that hang over the roof can break, puncture and damage the roofing material. Leaves can block the gutter system on the roof, allowing rainwater to collect and this can cause leaks in the attic. Keep the trees close to the roof trimmed at all times.

• Check for black streaks or discoloration on the roof. This discoloration is a result of mold, algae or fungus growing. This is especially a problem when the humidity is high and on roofs that are in the shade for a long time. If the roof is not treated it can result in damage to the roofing material causing leaks in the house. Trim trees to increase air circulation and install zinc strips along the roof ridges. These strips form zinc oxide when they react with rainwater, which forms a protective coating, which prevents the growth of mold, fungus etc.

• Over a period of time roofing material can get torn off or can get weak. This weak roofing material can get blown off by strong winds, thus making the home interiors vulnerable to water damage. While inspecting if you find that the roof is damaged then repair it immediately, as it will only get worse with time.

You can fix a number of these problems on your own. But it is advisable to use a professional roofing contractor to do the repair. Make inspection of the roof a regular habit.

● Metal flashing: Pay particular attention to metal flashing - the sheet metal used in waterproofing around chimneys, at valleys and surrounding plumbing vents. Excessive changes in temperature through the year can cause caulking to shrivel up and peel away from flashings, resulting in telltale leaks.

A sheet metal contractor can help if a roofing contractor can’t.

● Stone and mortar: You might also find mortar and brick or stone at your chimney to be a little worse for the wear after a long winter. The freeze and thaw of cold climates can cause mortar, bricks and stone to crack and peel or chip away, known as spauling.

This usually calls for selective brick or stone repair or replacement and a little mortar repair, or "repointing." This is a process wherein cracked or loose mortar is removed by using a hammer and chisel. New mortar is applied and tooled to match the existing material that is still in good shape.

Future damage to brick, stone and mortar can be greatly minimized by sealing the entire exterior surface of the chimney with a high-quality brick-and-stone sealer. If you suspect you need work, consult a stone mason.

● Gutters and downspouts: Clean and flush the gutters and downspouts one final time after the rains have stopped. It’s a great time to look for leaks at seams and gaps and will ensure the gutters are clean in event of a sudden downpour.

A ladder and garden hose are all you will need to perform this task. Be sure that the ladder is on solid footing and prevent stuff from getting into your eyes by wearing safety goggles. Then:

● Remove rust with a wire brush and a chemical rust remover.

● Use a high-quality exterior caulk to seal holes, joints and gaps.

● A fresh coat of paint will finish the job and offer added protection for next season.

● Driveway: It’s not just the roof that could use a post-winter tune-up. Snow shoveling and ice melt can leave your concrete driveway and paths looking like a war zone.

When it comes to repairing concrete, the good news is that it is easy and inexpensive. The bad news is that depending upon the size and number of blemishes, the appearance of the concrete won’t look as good as before. To start:

● Begin by removing all loose concrete and other surface grime using a garden hose attached to a power washer.

● Mix up a batch of vinyl latex concrete patching compound and, using a metal concrete trowel, pack the patching compound into the voids.

● Remove the excess and use the trowel to level the patch even with the surrounding concrete such as you would when spackling a hole in wallboard.

● After the patch material has had two to three days to dry, seal the entire surface with a high-quality concrete sealer. The sealer will prevent water from making its way into the concrete, which leads to spauling.

● Consider using a non-corrosive ice melt to further prevent damage.

● If you simply can’t live with the look of the repaired concrete, don’t go pulling out the jack hammer just yet. Consider applying a penetrating pigmented concrete stain. Concrete stain will conceal most repairs and offer the same protection as a clear concrete sealer.

Most concrete stains and sealers can be applied using a paint roller. Remember, less is more. It is better to apply two thin coats than one thick coat. Keep in mind that once you seal or stain concrete, as with a deck, this is a maintenance task that will need to be performed every three to five years.