When was the last time you made check on the condition of your roof? Well, if you are comfortable in climbing up to your roof, make a regular check on its condition; whether it requires any maintenance or repairs. Any thing in this world needs a proper care and maintenance to give the desired results. The user needs to make the constant examination of the condition of the roof. If you see any damage takes the required steps to cover the situation. Do not allow harsh weather and winds to create more damages in the roof. Otherwise, it can cause serious issues.

At times, some simple repairs can prevent leaks and improves the longevity of the roof. If you do not have enough knowledge about the roof repairs and climbing the roof safely, then it is not recommended to climb up the roof. You can take the services of the roofing contractors. They will also guide you about the basics and maintenance procedures for improving the longevity of the roof. Many reputed roofing contractors do the roof repairs with out any cost if minor maintenance is needed. But if your roof is passing through some serious damages, then give the complete contract of repairing. Gathering the basic information and maintenance techniques can help you in analyzing the situation and scope of work required to repair.

Every type of roofing requires varied ways of repairs. Fibered roofing cement or mastic is the most commonly used material in repairing the asphalt compositions. It is easily adheres to metals and patching the asphalts. It can be used to add patch on the roof. It is allowed to get dry after the application and then painted for additional protection and strength. But mastic is not suitable for repairing the wooden shingles as it can not stick on the wood. A special patching material is used to repair the wooden and polymer or synthetic rubber roofing which is specified by the roofing contractor.

Generally, tar and gravel roofs require constant maintenance. The gravel is left exposed to sun constantly which damages this low slope roof. Most of the roofing materials have the durability for 15 to 30 years. But the life of the roof is highly depended on the quality of the roofing material used and its maintenance. The exposure to the weather and environment are also a major reason of damages. The roof repairing project is depended on your tolerance for leakages and number of repairing sessions your roof has gone through. A careful maintenance can make your roof lasts for more years. Roofing contractors can help you in sorting out major issues of your damaged roof. It is better to consult the roofing contractor to determine the cost of repairs of roof.

Sloping roofs are more common in North America; however flat roofs are fast gaining in popularity due to the various benefits they offer homeowners. Flat roofs are not entirely flat, in fact, they look horizontal or nearly horizontal, but they do have a slight slope of usually 10 degrees, to drain of the water and snow. Flat roofs have been around for centuries and the old technology of using asphalt compounds to deflect water was being used until thirty years ago.

Traditionally, gravel and tar was the preferred material and it was sufficient to prevent leakages so long as water was not allowed to sit and accumulate on the roofs. This system had its limitations in colder climates, as ice dams would block the flow of water resulting in pooling of water on the roofs and home owners had to deal with leaks very often.

With the advances made in rubber technology especially synthetic rubber technology coupled with the explosion in the polymer industry, newer products for roofing began to appear about 40 years ago. The use of these products enabled homeowners to be unconcerned about rains and snow. Today flat roofs are made from different materials and substances such as Asphalt built up roof or BUR, Hypalon Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (synthetic rubber), TPO-Thermoplastic Polyolefin, EPDM-Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, PVC-Polyvinyl Chloride, and Modified Bitumen.

One common feature of all flat roofs is that they always have a coating over some sort of base. Flat roofs require regular inspection and preventive maintenance to extend their life. Modern architecture would not be the same without flat roofs. Residential buildings are more suited for flat roofs as compared to industrial or commercial buildings. This is because flat roof becomes unstable with increase in size leading to higher maintenance expenses.

Life of a flat roof depends on the material used in its construction and the frequency of preventive maintenance. It is recommended that flat roofs be inspected once in a year. Cleaning and clearing of debris from the drains is carried out regularly to prevent water logging and easy draining. Roof coating, which is responsible for waterproofing, degrades due to the ultra violet rays and hence needs preservation. Poor maintenance of flashings material used around objects that protrude from a roof such as chimney is the main cause of leakages in flat roofs.

Owning a flat roof has many advantages such as:

Flat roofs are more accessible making it easier to inspect and clean.

Adds to usable space. If strong enough, it can be used as a terrace garden or as an outdoor amenity. Flat roofs also reduce dead space that is common feature of sloping roofs.

Cost of construction is significantly lower than traditional sloping roofs, resulting in substantial savings that can be set aside for future contingencies or diverted to other home improvement projects.

Cheaper second floors can be built on homes already having a flat roof.

Flat roofs not only reduce initial cost but also add value to your homes

However it is wise to consider a few disadvantages of flat roofs:

Flat roof coatings are not everlasting

Consistent maintenance is required

Not all buildings are suitable for flat roofs

If you’re unsure as to whether flat roof is ideal for your home, it is advisable to consult roofing experts before taking a decision.

Looking after the roof of our house is the first and possibly most important step to caring for the long-term life of any house. The most important reason for regular roof maintenance is to protect the owner’s investment. Because if roofs left unchecked then the cracks in roofs can lead to damage in the roof and throughout the building, with the most serious and costly scenario being a total replacement of the roof and ceiling.

A properly executed maintenance program will add years to the life of the roof by detecting minor problems before they become major, as well as providing better protection for, and avoiding interruption of, the internal functions of the building. A roof is exposed to all manner of chemical and physical stress. The long term effects of these forces are called “Normal Aging”. In reality, small isolated problems caused through abuse, stress concentration, inadequate ventilation, error, or other factors result in a shortened lifespan of the roofing system. Minor roof maintenance work is a task which:

? can be completed in a matter of minutes, not hours;
? is infrequent;
? only needs one or two people;
? does not involve difficult work (eg heavy or awkward loads); and
? only involves a small area.

Small problems or defects, if not detected and repaired, inevitably become major problems affecting the performance of the whole roof system. Roofs represent approximately 5 to 7% of capital building costs – but roofs cover 100% of the building and its contents.

So what gives when the roof—the spine—is leaking? And when it rains, can this faulty “backbone” still be considered a reliable shield of the home’s “vital organs”?
Roof leaks are obviously a big problem in any house but knowing the correlation between melting snow and roof leaks can help you to prevent one of the major problems that many houses face. When snow melts and runs down the roof it often refreezes as it reaches the edge of the roof and the gutter. You’ve probably stood back in awe looking at these ice dams that form, but these can cause havoc with the integrity of your roof. However, they are relatively easy to prevent and doing so will undoubtedly save you money and heartache in the future.
High winds can cause leakage around flashings and valleys. Few roofs are designed for such acts of nature. You should also be wary of solar panels, air conditioners and antenna tie-down bolts. Bolts through roofs are bad news! Chimney shrouds/hoods can also be a source of leakage.
Unfortunately, poor construction is becoming more of a problem. Leaks on seven-year-old shake and tile roofs can originate during construction but not become a problem until the roof gets older and looser. As a roof ages, water can go places it could never reach before.
Making sure that a leaking roof is prevented or fixed should be a top priority for all contractors and homeowners. A leaking roof can evolve into a disaster which can quickly ruin your home if not handled properly, so you must take every step to combat or prevent the problem. Gardner-Gibson offers roof coating and repair products that can effectively protect almost any type of roof under any circumstance.
Roof leaks can arise not only in old houses, but also in new ones. Very often leaks appear in those areas where roof materials and roofing products connect to walls or some other parts of building that are not part of the roof. Metal flashings can prevent this problem. Different metal flashings are available on the market today. They are made from copper, tin, galvanized steel, lead, rubber and aluminium.
Do’s and Don’ts of Roof Maintenance

Do’s:
? Be aware that wise maintenance will prolong the life of any roof — even the best of them.
? Perform inspections at least twice a year, preferably at the end of winter and right after summer, when roofs have passed through the periods of severest stress.
? Conduct additional inspections immediately after unusual occurrences such as extremely heavy rains, high winds, hail, nearby fires, explosions, etc.
? Check the building exterior for settlement or movement. Cracks in the wall are a warning of possible cracks in the roofing and flashing. Are overhangs, cornices, facias and edging in good condition? Are gutters and downspouts satisfactory? Breaks in roof edge elements can cause leaks and also let wind get under the roofing membrane and cause blow-offs. Damaged or clogged gutters, roof drains, and downspouts can cause water back up on the roof.
? Be certain that equipment servicemen going on the roof are warned against penetrating or dropping tools on the roof. They should be accompanied by your trained maintenance man to ensure no damage to the roof assembly occurs.
? Assure that your roof is kept clean and free from debris.
? Recognize that exposure of roof felts (bare spots) on a gravel surfaced roof can lead to quick deterioration. This requires immediate attention by qualified personnel.
? Be advised that flashings, gum pans, gravel stops and all other roof penetrations are the source of most leaks. Pay extreme and careful attention to these items.

Don’ts:
? Allow unqualified personnel to maintain your roofs.
? Allow traffic on your roof unless accompanied by your informed maintenance man.
? Allow equipment servicemen to penetrate your roof without being certain that qualified personnel flash the penetrations.

There are a variety of materials for roof coatings that you can choose from if you have faced roof leaks problem; here are just a few examples of the different types of materials that are available to you; elastomeric coatings; epdm, liquid roof, liquid rubber, liquid epdm etc. primers, caulks, seam products.

Resources:

Roof Coatings

Roof Leaks

By doing a small amount of preemptive maintenance now, you can prevent minor problems from escalating into a major problem later in the year. By doing these small repairs now, you can prevent air, rust and moisture penetration from attacking the structural integrity of your home down the road and seriously bringing down it’s value.

Cleaning the eavestroughs in the fall, for example, can prevent ice damming in the winter, where moisture is forced up under the roof’s shingles during winter’s freeze-thaw cycles. “Our roofing contractors are always busy in the spring, fixing damage and leaks that have occurred because of ice damming,” Felton added.

Here are some home maintenance ideas jobs that should be on a homeowner’s winterizing checklist:

“    Clean eavestroughs after the last leaves have fallen. Run a garden hose and check that they are draining properly and that downspouts are operating and directed away from the home’s foundation walls. Check for leaking or damaged gutters, downspouts and hangers. Remove rust and patch the gutters with roofing cement. Caulk leaking seams and make sure pop rivets are secure.
“    Check the roof for trouble signs such as broken or missing shingles, cracked, buckling or curling shingles, or bare spots where the granular coating has worn off. Check flashing around vents, skylights and chimneys. Look for pieces that have peeled back and for cracked caulking that could allow moisture penetration.
“    Have the chimney cleaned and check the exterior structure for worn flashing, loose bricks or crumbling mortar.
“    Have your furnace cleaned, inspected and safety checked. Depending on the system, you will need to have the furnace vacuumed, the filter changed and the pilot checked.
“    Check for blockage of attic louvres by wasp’s nests and put sheet metal, wire screen or wood over any openings, including under the eaves, to prevent animals from nesting.
“    Remove and store your window air conditioner. Make sure to clean the coils and filters and cover loosely for the winter. If you are leaving the air conditioner in the window, put a weatherproof cover over it to protect it during the winter.
“    Clean your lawnmower and other garden tools before storing. Give all the metal parts of your tools a wipe with an oiled rag to prevent rusting. Drain the fuel from gas-powered machines and run the engine until the lines are clear. Drain the oil and replace it. Clean caked-on grass and debris.
“    Check doors and windows for proper caulking and weatherstripping. Do the draft test: hold a lit candle and run it along the seams of doors and windows. A flickering flame means your heating dollars are going out the window.  Check the bottoms of doors for a snug threshold seal or door sweep.
“    Make sure your fireplace is in safe working order. Check that the damper opens and closes smoothly and fits properly to prevent heat loss. Check inside the fireplace to make sure no bricks are loose or broken. If your fireplace is smoking excessively, check the chimney for fallen bricks. Installing a chimney cap can cure a smoking fireplace by improving the draft.
“    Drain exterior water lines, hose bibs, sprinklers, and pool equipment before the first major freeze. Caulk around pipes where they enter the house.

“    Clean your barbecue and store it in a protected place for the winter. Never store propane tanks indoors.
“    Clean patio furniture and store, loosely covered, in a dry place.
“    Wash windows to let in the maximum heat and light during cold winter days.

Doing your fall chores can make your life easier come spring, when you would rather be fishing than fixing winter damage. There are a lot more tips in our categories section.

http://easybasementrenovations.com/starting-your-home-renovation-ideas-and-maintenance-in-the-fall

On one level the practice of facilities management is the constant prioritizing and reassessing of which necessary facility repairs warrant immediate budget expenditures.

A commercial roofing contractor needs to understand this to effectively maintain and repair a facility’s roofing system(s).

The contractor must help the facilities manager walk the fine line between major repairs of older roofing systems and the minor repairs of new roofing systems that could become major repairs if neglected.  The idea is to maintain the newer roofing system(s) while over time bringing the older system(s) into an acceptable level of repair and performance.  It is also important for the facilities manager to understand when it is time to replace an older roofing system.  Typically that time is when too much money is being spent on the repair of an older roofing system, while too little is being spent on the necessary maintenance of newer roofing systems to prolong their life cycle.

Eventually, every commercial roofing system must be replaced. But, with inspection, maintenance and repair, building owners can extend a roofing system’s life cycle to maximize their return on investment.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association preventive maintenance adds 30%-100% service life to a commercial roofing system. That means repair costs could be triple the cost of a preventive maintenance program over the life cycle of a commercial roofing system.

Another facilities management factor to consider in maintaining roofing systems is energy management.  Wet insulation in a roofing system loses energy.  According to the Building Owners and Managers Institute, good maintenance practices and good energy management go hand in hand. Some of the highest rates of return on energy conservation are generated simply by performing maintenance.

The key element to an effective facility asset management process is having professionals inspect those assets on a regular basis. On a periodic schedule determined with the building owner or manager the following should be done;

* Inspect the entire roofing system including flashings, drains or gutters and leaders, masonry, etc.

* Document each inspection (roof plan, inspection forms, and photo documentation). Each technician should carry a digital camera to document noteworthy roof conditions. Digital photos can be included with inspection reports.

* Perform infrared testing as needed to provide thermal energy reports to identify moisture within a roof system

* Remove all debris, clean gutters, leaders and drains

* Make minor repairs at the time of inspection.

* Provide estimates for roof repairs (or replacement if necessary)

* Comply with and document compliance with the maintenance requirements of any roofing system manufacturer warranties in effect.

Physical rooftop inspections and color infrared camera surveys are the keys to the effective documentation and analysis of energy loss, roof repair and maintenance issues.

In addition to the information gathered during roof inspections, the importance of maintaining warranty, design, installer, as-built materials data, and repair history information should be emphasized.  Contractors will benefit from assisting in the compilation of this additional data.

If this process is followed, the repair, maintenance and energy conservation of commercial roofing systems will be as cost-effective as possible.  And with this process, facilities-manager clients know years in advance of when a roofing system will have to be replaced, and what its projected expense will be.

For more information, www.flagshiproofing.com