Special Interest
2/2/2005Choosing the Right RoofThere are a number of things to consider when selecting a new roof system…
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8/5/2005Your Roof vs.The ElementsThe elements can take its toll on your roof…
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What's New
8/5/2005Home Owner Roof Check-Up Perform a checkup on your roof system in the fall and spring..
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8/8/2005Frequently Asked Questions Everyone asks these!
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8/8/2005Roof System Components All steep-slope roof systems have these basic components..
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Today is | 9/7/2010 3:23:25 PM
Home Owner Roof Check-Up
Perform a checkup on your roof system in the fall and spring to help diagnose potential problems early
When cleaning your gutters or inspecting your roof system, remember important ladder safety tips:
-Make sure the ladder is on solid, level ground.
-Secure the ladder at the top to prevent it from slipping.
-Inspect the ladder, rungs and rails for damage.
-Extend the ladder at least 3 feet beyond the gutter, and angle it 1 foot back from the house for every 4 feet in eave height.
Always use both hands when climbing the ladder. Once on the ladder, you should look for:
Shingles that are buckling, curling or blistering; this indicates the end of the shingles' life expectancy.
-Loose material or wear around chimneys, pipes and other penetrations.
-Excessive amounts of shingle granules in your gutters; granules give shingles added weight and protect them from ultraviolet rays.
Regardless of their reinforcing type and appearance, asphalt shingles' physical characteristics vary significantly. When installing asphalt shingles, NRCA recommends use of shingles that comply with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards-ASTM D 225 for organic shingles and ASTM D 3462 for fiberglass shingles. These standards govern the composition and physical properties of asphalt shingles; not all asphalt shingles on the market comply with these standards. If a shingle product complies with one of these standards, it is typically noted in the manufacturer's product literature and on the package wrapper.
Wood shingles and shakes are made from cedar, redwood, southern pine and other woods; their natural look is popular in California, the Northwest and parts of the Midwest. Wood shingles are machine sawn; shakes are handmade and rougher looking. A point to consider: Some local building codes limit the use of wood shingles and shakes because of concerns about fire resistance. Many wood shingles and shakes only have Class C fire ratings or no ratings at all. However, Class A fire ratings are available for certain wood shingle products that incorporate a factory-applied, fire-resistant treatment.
Tile—clay or concrete—is a durable roofing material. Mission and Spanish-style round-topped tiles are used widely in the Southwest and Florida, and flat styles also are available to create French and English looks. Tile is available in a variety of colors and finishes. Tile is heavy. If you are replacing another type of roof system with tile, you will need to verify that the structure can support the load.