Preparing your roof for the rain that comes with the monsoon is an important task of yours – if you are new to the Valley, you may even be wondering how bad it can get.
In order to get your roof ready, you have to understand the monsoon consists of heavy winds, sudden and heavy rain, and dust storms in the form of haboobs, all of which your roof will need to be ready to face because eventually, it will come through.
Before you order the inspection you can look for debris that's lying up on your roof. Things like branches, bunches of leaves, or objects that might have gotten tossed up there can get stuck in causing blocked gutters and downspouts.
This will cause a problem when it rains by trapping water and making it pool up on your roof. if you have a BUR (built-up) roof, you want to make sure there are no open seams where moisture can enter.
With elastomeric coatings, you want to also ensure they are still in solid, undamaged shape.
On a pitched roof, you’ll have valleys that run down it. These canals channel water down off the roof and need to be completely clear of debris like the material coming off of aging asphalt roof shingles, leaves, and branches.
Just like flat roofing systems, you have to make sure that the seams are inspected and that everything is in good condition and watertight.
Obviously, if tiles or shingles are missing, you’ll need to order some repairs or if it's still under warranty, get your roofing contractor out to replace them.
These need to be inspected also. They need to be in good shape, attached securely to your property and free of debris so they can be effective in channeling the heavy rainfall off your roof and down to the ground.
If they are hanging oddly or not how they’re supposed to they can accumulate water and it can be pushed back onto the roof, instead of flowing down away from your roof and foundation.
Speaking of the foundation, It’s also a good time to check the protection for the foundation of your home, making sure proper drainage is occurring and water isn’t pooling up against it, which will undermine it over time.
They provide shade that can cut down on energy bills, but if they’re too close to your property they can cause problems for a roof.
If it’s a bigger, older tree and it collapses during a high wind event, a large branch can scrape across the roof, knocking off shingles or tiles, or even knock a hole in your roof.
Even if it’s not a big branch that comes through your roof, just having all the falling leaves, twigs, and branches on your roof will interfere with proper roof drainage.
Previous owners might have taken shortcuts that weren’t caught during the home buying inspection. Patching or other roof repairs may have gone unnoticed.
Have a professional roof repair contractor come out and inspect your roof to make sure there aren’t any do-it-yourself problems.
Catching simple problems ahead of time will keep them from turning into major problems later on. Contractors should look for overlapping layers of roofing material, gaps, or just poor craftsmanship.
Any of these could lead to a leaky roof, premature wear, and mold or algae.
A few preventative steps will go a long way to avoid serious issues and damage to the interior of your property.
With all of the potential causes of roof leaks, you tend to panic at the first sign. It may not be as bad as you think.
Most leaks just need minor repairs and aren’t indicative of your roof failing or needing to be replaced. Most of them are easily rectified, and expensive repairs or even replacements are unnecessary.
You should remedy roof leaks as soon as you find them though because it will keep your roof from the further deterioration that could lead to mold, mildew, and interior damage, as well as possibly needing to replace. There are several different ways to repair or patch a leak, such as using roofing tar on flat roofs.
If you do find a leak, you can use this list of the 7 most common causes of roof leaks in the Valley to figure out the issue and fix it before it gets worse. We also have a list of the Common Roof Problems.
If you don’t vent your attic properly, warm, moist air from below can gather and in time, condensation can build up and leak back down through your ceiling.
The number one cause of roof leaks is flashing, the thin metal sheeting around openings in your roof, that is either faulty or cracking.
Flashing doesn’t last forever and it will split or crack before you need a new roof, which is why leaks here are so common.
To fix it, you just pull up the shingles that are covering the edges of flashing, and then remove the faulty piece.
Your roofer will place a new flashing around the opening by nailing it down. Cover the nail heads with sealant and the repair is made. Then they’ll seal the nail heads and area around the opening and replace the shingles. A simple repair.
Cracked, broken, and missing shingles can cause problems. You can spot them easily and they’re not difficult to replace.
They can be cracked by hail or flying debris, or just simply wear out and start to crack. If the rest of the roof is in good shape, you can usually just replace the faulty ones.
Your roofer will lift up the shingles that cover the edges of the broken ones and remove it. Then, they place a new shingle in, nail it down and replace the shingles that were lifted up to expose it.
Vents, for gas as an example, are pipes that stick out around 2 feet over your roof. There’s a boot around the base that keeps water from getting through around the vent.
This boot, over time, will crack or split and allow moisture to get through. The roofing company will pry up the old boot and remove any nails and the adhesive holding it down. Then they slide a new boot over the vent and use caulk to seal it to the shingles.
Your gutters are there to direct water away from your roof and foundations. If they get clogged with debris they will cause water to back up and get beneath your shingles and roof underlayment.
If you have a leak that's close to a gutter, it could be caused by water backing up out of it due to debris.
To fix it, just remove whatever debris or leaves are causing the backup and get the water flowing through them smoothly again.
Your problem could be in your attic and not your roof. If you see indications of mold or mildew, you’ve probably got a condensation problem in your attic. The solution is getting attic ventilators installed that will circulate the air and keep it dry to prevent moisture and mold from getting a foothold.
The shingles on your roof could lose their protective granules over time and normal wear and tear, causing leaks. You could cause this issue yourself by doing things like retrieving items from your roof, fixing or installing things like satellite dishes, or just casually removing debris. You might need a new roof at this point.
Don’t go up on your roof any more than you absolutely have to, because these types of leaks are the kind that most often lead to replacement. You’ll need a roofing contractor to come out and inspect your roof to determine if this is your problem.
When you have a leak, the tendency is to sometimes put it off because you might think it will cost too much. Unfortunately with roof leaks, this is the worst thing you can do, because the issue will just get worse over time, making it even more expensive.
So, the most cost-effective and cheapest option is usually getting your leaks fixed as soon as you find them. Keep in mind that a leak can have several causes, so don’t automatically think it's a worst-case scenario. Every time you find a leak, make sure to have a professional inspect it to pinpoint the cause.
Here in the Southwest, we tend to ignore our roof. One of the most critical features of our home, because we have so many days of sunshine every year. Then the monsoon season comes and all of a sudden we regret not doing our routine maintenance because we have a big, expensive problem with roof maintenance during winter.
You can only expect your roof to last about half as long as it should if you don’t regularly maintain it. Your roof accumulates damage every day from the elements – rain, the hot sun, even pests and people walking on it. Pile on to that the even more intense heat and periodic heavy rains from the monsoon season and it’s a disaster waiting to happen. You could have a big roof repair just waiting to happen and you’re completely ignorant of it.
Before the monsoon season begins, at least once every year, you should have your roof inspected – especially if its a flat roof and its over 15 years old. Our roofs here in Arizona get hit the hardest during the winter rain between December and February and the monsoon season between June and September. When it rains here, we have drops in temperature that happen suddenly, causing thermal shock, compromising your roof’s surface.
In your roof’s warranty, it probably has a clause that voids the warranty if you’re not properly maintaining it, so its critical to keep up with regular maintenance, schedule routine inspections and fix any necessary problems as soon as possible.
If you’re not scared of getting on your roof, here’s a couple things you can do to increase your roof’s lifespan. Take the correct safety steps if you do, because one of the leading causes of serious accidents around a home is falling off a ladder. Also, be careful walking on it, especially if its older. You can cause some serious damage and weaken your roof if you do.
There are some roofing issues that you should leave to a professional roofing contractor. Find an experienced, licensed, professional roofer like Mikku and Sons Roofing if you find any of these problems:
A roofing system is a big investment for property owners, and represents a big portion of construction costs.
It’s a roofing contractor’s job to help the owner protect their investment. They should provide professional, careful maintenance on the roof on a regularly. This will make sure its properly protected.
Here are some tips that will help your roofing contractor ensure they won’t miss any essentials during services. If you’re a homeowner, these tips will guide you on what to expect when you hire a professional roofing company to perform routine shingle roof maintenance.
A roofer should perform 4 basic services twice per year to help a homeowner properly maintain their asphalt shingled roof. Also, you’ll want to do this after major storms. Here’s your roofing maintenance checklist:
A critical part of roof maintenance is routine cleaning and clearing of the roof and its related systems. Pay attention not only to shingles and flashing but other key elements, like eaves, troughs, down spouts, installations (such as skylights, vents, chimneys, solar panels), and ventilation.
Here’s what we recommend:
Property owners should regularly clear debris from the roof, including leaves, branches, and other items that might clutter the surface. Your roofing contractor might use a leaf blower, being sure to blow the air down the roof. This will ensure that debris won’t be blowing up and underneath the shingles. To lower the debris that accumulates, clear away vegetation and branches that hang over the roof. Hire a professional tree service to cut away difficult or hard to reach areas.
Dig out leaves and organic material from all gutters. This will ensure water drains without obstruction through to the downspouts. Homeowners could install eave protectors, metal meshed grates that prevent buildup of debris and make cleanup easier.
Be sure the downspouts are clear and unobstructed so water drains properly from the roof and away from the foundation. A homeowner should take notes of any leaks or drips that occur during or right after a rain storm. Report any issues to the contractor during inspection time.
Once cleared of debris, your roofing contractor should inspect it for any red flags that could indicate potential trouble.
They should complete this inspection twice a year – recommended in the spring and fall. This will allow them to make note of anything suspicious, as well as complete small fixes or minor repairs before they become bigger issues. Also, they’ll see if there’s any evidence the ventilation system is malfunctioning or might need maintenance or cleaning.
An experienced roofer should immediately complete any asphalt shingle roof repairs to maintain the integrity of the roof’s materials and related systems, such as drainage and ventilation. Little fixes performed properly will prevent bigger issues, or more costly repairs, over time. They could:
Replace or repair missing, broken or buckled shingles: A roofing contractor could use roofing cement or nails to repair shingles that have become cracked or loose. They could also replace any shingles that have broken free or blown away.
Replace or install valley flashing: They may also consider replacing the existing valley flashing if its become corroded, cracked or is no longer secure – which would threaten its waterproofing abilities.
Replace other flashing: Your roofer could use roofing cement and nails to replace metal flashing around chimneys, roof vents or other installations if the flashing has become loose or rotten. If they’re installing the flashing against a brick structure, it’s advisable to use copper or galvanized steel, because the lime in brick mortar could corrode aluminum materials.
Repair gutters or downspouts: Your roofing company might use gutter caulking, a gutter patching kit or roofing cement and patches to fix leaky or corroded sections of the eavestroughs or downspouts. If they are sagging, they should use a level to determine the proper pitch, then rehang them so they drain properly.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to maintain the life of your roofing system, or a roofing professional educating your customer on the benefits of regular inspection, maintenance and repair, sticking to a consistent, regular schedule is well worth the investment.
Finding out your roof is damaged and needs repairs or replacement can be stressful for a homeowner. Handling insurance claims, dealing with adjusters and ensuring you get paid for all covered damage is an intimidating process. Many property owners aren’t confident about filing a claim, process issues and what kinds of documentation they will need.
To an insurance company, your roof is the most critical feature of your property. If its damaged, it can lead to much larger damage claims. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety has stated that more than 90% of hail or high-wind claims result in a payout relative to the quality of the roof cover. Insurance companies check roofing claims with great scrutiny and expect homeowners to provide correct documentation and accurate information in order to process the claim.
To make the claims process experience easier and to help you get the right settlement for your damage, take some photos of your roof and exterior property before they are damaged. Then, when you have some damage from a storm, update the photos when you need maintenance or repairs completed. Once the roof is damaged take another set of photos showing the need for repairs. Document and record the damages and any quotes, estimates or bills you get in relation to the damage. Having this info on file in one place will ensure your claims process is a smooth and easy experience.
Before you file your insurance claim completely, you’ll need an estimate from a professional roofing contractor. Most of the time you can pick the roofing company of your choosing. Your contractor should help you make your way through the sometimes complicated roof insurance claims process. Some roofing companies have adjusters on their staff that can deal with your insurance claim for you. Try to find a contractor that has a lot of experience providing roofing quotes for insurance claims. They should help through the process of getting a roof repair or replacement covered by the insurance company.
Keep in contact with your insurance agent and company. Its the best and most simple way to be aware of what’s covered or not covered in your homeowners policy.
Some policies use the age of the roof and take it into account when it gets damaged. If your roof is under 10 years old, you could be covered for the entire cost of repairing or replacing the damaged section at the time of the claim. If it’s more than 10 years old, you could be paid for the depreciated value of the damaged roof. The depreciated value takes wear and tear and age of your roof into account. This could mean the value has lowered before the damage occurred.
Some insurance policies will offer damage coverage only up to the depreciated value, no matter what the age of your roof is. Others will cover the entire cost of repairing or replacing the damaged section at the time of the claim, no matter the age of your roof. Most of the time, your insurance company will send out an adjuster to your property to inspect and verify the claim. If the damage is found to be from age, normal wear and tear, or the poor condition of your roof, it will probably be classified as normal maintenance, and won’t be covered under your policy.
The most critical thing to remember is if you think your roof has been damaged and needs repair, you shouldn’t wait for the inspection by a roofing contractor. Determine how much damage you have as soon as you can. This will help move along the process expeditiously and help you avoid more damage that might not be covered under your policy.
If you’re a property owner, you can’t predict when and how severe weather will hit you. You’ll need to take steps when your roof is damaged and you’ll need to completely understand the steps to take. Severe rain, high windstorms and monsoons can all cause heavy damage to your roof.
After your roof experiences severe wether, you have to assess the damage you’ve experienced. You can then be able to discuss what happened with your insurance representative and your roof repair contractor to help you avoid hidden costs or issues. (You should do this during daylight hours, which means you might have to skip to step 2 before you inspect the damage.) Use binoculars when you’re checking the damage so you can see the details closely.
Take the area thats been damaged and figure the estimated square footage. Look to see if there are any shingles missing and note how severe the damage is. In some smaller cases, you may just have a few random shingles missing or sheered off. Make a note of the material that’s visible and exposed. Here’s what to look for – the ends of missing shingles, tar paper or exposed plywood. Notice the shade and color of the material thats exposed. If you have some shingles from when the roof was installed or last repaired, you can check the packaging for the right shingle style and color you’ll need.
If you have a little experience with repairs, try to make some temporary fixes to minimize your damage. Personal items inside your home could be damaged by water if your roof is leaking directly above a living area. Put a garbage can or bucket under any leaking water and move any valuable items away from the area so they won’t get damaged more. You may need to use a tarp to cover badly damaged areas to get them waterproofed immediately. If they’re smaller repairs that are needed you can get them shingled right away.
Call your insurance representative and check your insurance policy if it looks like there’s enough damage for a claim. If there isn’t, it may make more sense money wise to hire a roofer yourself and get any needed repairs done. If you’re involved in a large, natural disaster where big swaths of residential properties are hit by severe weather or a big storm, you may want to contact your insurance company ASAP so you can get on a good contractor’s schedule immediately. Good, reputable roofing companies will have their calendars filled up quickly after a severe storm in their area, due to demand.
If you need to hire a roofing contractor, be sure it’s a reliable, professional roofing company. Be careful not to hire any fly-by-nighters that flood these areas after a storm and rip off vulnerable, uneducated property owners. Avoid these type of contractors at all costs. These traveling contractors that chase storms around will give you poor quality workmanship and be gone as fast as they arrived, leaving you with bigger issues than you had from just the storm.
We only think of them when there’s a problem, and we only replace them when we have to. But, when we do maintain them regularly, we can extend their useful life. It doesn't matter if you have a tile, shingle, flat roof, or foam roof it must be maintained.
We also need to make sure that our roof receives the proper maintenance to increase its useful life.
Guaranteeing roof life starts with regular inspections. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspecting all roofs twice a year: once after the coldest temperatures, once after the hottest temperatures. It’s also always good to scrutinize your roof following any major weather occurrence.
Establishing a schedule for routine, professional roof inspections should be a priority for property owners. Inspections are cheap and can provide critical information that can prevent expensive repairs later.
Also, regular roof inspections provide a checklist for routine maintenance work and enable owners to prepare budgets for the future. Roof inspections are the first step in a roof maintenance program that can help owners plan and schedule repairs instead of having to do expensive emergency repairs.
Few other property maintenance tasks provide a better return on investment than regular roof inspections.
Before the monsoon season gets started, call a recommended roofing company and have your roof completely inspected. The roofing contractor will look for signs of any loose or missing shingles or tiles, gaps or cracks around any flashings, also check for deterioration in sealants or the underlayment.
Any problems can make your roof susceptible to the strong rain and wind that come with the storms
If your roofer finds any issues or signs of potential problems during the inspection, have the repairs taken care of before the monsoon season picks up.
You will be making sure your roof is in the best shape possible to fight off tears and cracks that can lead to moisture leaks. Make sure any loose tiles or shingles are fastened or replaced.
Update the seals around flashings and other roof elements. Make sure that your roof is strong and provides a strong barrier between your home and the coming violent storms.
Leaks after heavy rain are one of the primary reasons roofs should be inspected. But a leak is only a sign of a problem that might have been building over time.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, a leak can actually be good news. Without evidence of a roof leak, a lingering problem of undetected water infiltration could continue to create hidden deterioration, such as rotting wood, mold, wet insulation, or corrosion.
It takes an experienced professional eye to conduct a thorough leak investigation and diagnosis because the entry point for water might be quite far away from the detection point. Leaks can be evidence of serious roof problems or minor issues.
Many roofs in excellent condition occasionally have issues due to minor flashing problems.
Few features are as important to roof performance as proper slope and drainage. Water standing on a roof increases the chance of leaks and water infiltration significantly. Making sure you have good drainage is a very important reason for regular roof inspections.
Leaves, trash, debris, and other objects can clog or obstruct roof drains, creating standing water. Regular cleaning of roofs can help remove such problems and allow water to drain properly, which reduces the chance of leaks. Also, water is heavy – weighing about 5 pounds per square foot per inch deep.
Poor drainage also causes deterioration of roofing materials, leading to a shorter life of the entire roof system.
If a leak occurs from standing water, insulation can get saturated over a wide area, which could require entire roof replacement.
Vegetation can grow on roofs when gutters and other low areas aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. Birds can land and nest on roofs.
They also deposit seeds, which will promote the growth of vegetation. Gutters are a particular source of problems because of the accumulation of dirt, seeds, and water. In addition, tree branches scraping on roofs during wind storms can cause serious damage.
Gutters should be cleaned regularly, and trees near your roof need to be trimmed to prevent contact with roof surfaces.
Many owners pay for repairs themselves that would be covered under a contractor or manufacturer’s roof warranty.
Leaks can be caused by a lot of things, only some of which are covered under a warranty. However, when a leak is found, you should have a qualified person perform an inspection to determine whether or not to file a warranty claim.
When a roof warranty claim is filed, the contractor or manufacturer will visit the property and make an assessment of whether the leak or repair is covered. The important thing for the property owner is keeping possession and ready access to the warranty paperwork, as well as timely filing of the claim.
If you have water coming into your property, you have a leak and need roof leak repair. There are a lot of reasons that a roof might begin to let water into your home. By identifying what causes roof leaks most commonly, you might be able to help your roofer find a solution to your roof leak repair faster.
Also, we have provided a guide on quick ways to fix an emergency leak until you can find a professional to repair or replace your damage roof.
There lots of reasons a section of your shingles or tiles can go missing. High winds or sudden heavy rains can rip the shingles right off your roof, which will require roof leak repair. Also, missing shingles or tiles could mean that your roof has reached the end of its lifespan and you’re in need of a new roof. No matter the cause, having new shingles or tiles installed should be done right away to avoid major water damage inside.
You may not consider gutters to be a part of your roof system, but they play an important part when it comes to keeping roof leak repair to a minimum.They take rain water away from the roof and the foundation of your property, preventing water from backing up under shingles or ending up pooling next to your foundation. Your gutters can become clogged by debris, causing rainwater to back up, which means another roof leak repair.
Many property like to do their own roof leak repair to keep costs down. While DIY roof leak repair can save money, it might also result in the need for major roof leak repair. Walking on the roof can cause damage to the shingles and the underlying structure. If the roof is already damaged, one wrong step could cause a major roof leak repair problem that can be hard to find.
Flashing is metal installed around roof penetrations. They form a barrier to keep moisture from finding its way in between the shingles and the weaker areas of your roof. Over time, the metal can corrode away or the seal around it may crack, giving rain access to the attic and your living space. If the rest of the roof is in good shape, the old flashing can be replaced. A professional roofing contractor will just lift the surrounding shingles or tiles, pull the old sheet metal out and install new pieces. Once its sealed, the roof leak repair is complete and your roof should stop leaking.
Roof valleys are where two roof planes come together to create an inverted corner. They can add a dynamic roof line, but these areas are also weaker than other areas and they can collect water. If the leak is coming from a valley, you’ll see a line of water running where the seam occurs, and you’ll need another roof leak repair. New leak barriers could be needed. A new layer of shingles keeps the water moving down the roof and collected by the gutters.
Like most other homeowners, you may not worry much about roofing. However, you need to know that your roof is there to protect you and your home as well.
This article is not going to teach you all that there is to know about getting a roof repaired, but these roofing contractor tips are very important.
If you can afford to, you should always hire a professional roofing contractor, but if you have to work on the roof yourself, make sure that the weather conditions are clear for your own safety.
A wet roof can be slippery. Your roof will also need an ample amount of time to dry. A rain shower the following morning can end up setting you back.
Hose off the shingles, so you can have a clean workplace without a mess of leaves or other debris.
You can also use the hose to find a leak in your roof. One of the best ways to find a source of a roof leak is to use water itself.
It can be tricky to see where a leak is coming from in the middle of a storm, but a garden hose will allow you to test your roof until the leak has been found.
Your best bet, however, is to always hire a professional roofing contractor to inspect and repair your roof.
Do not choose the first roofing contractor you find in the phone book or online. By choosing the first roofing contractor you read about, you may end up spending more money than you need to.
Call numerous roofing contractors and go with the most reliable one at the best price you can find. It's not easy to choose a roofing contractor, but asking for a list of references can be a huge help.
Any roofing contractor which refuses to provide such a list is not one that you want to hire. Don’t just ask for the list, though, be sure to call a few people on it to double-check their experiences.
When inspecting your roof for leaks, it is important that you inspect the whole roof, not just one section. If you find a troublesome area of your roof, you should still check all areas, as there could be more problems elsewhere.
It will be cheaper for you to have all fixes done at the same time, when you hire your roofing contractor, rather than waiting.
If you have a general handyman that does work in and around your home, do not allow him to do anything to your roof.
Fixing a roof requires a high level of experience and know-how. This is why you would be better off hiring a roofing contractor that specializes in this type of work.
The age of your roof is a good indication of whether it needs replacing or not. Most roofs have a lifespan of fifteen to twenty years before replacement is needed. If you have a roof that was put on top of another roof, if 20 years have gone by, you likely must replace it.
Take the roofing contractor’s credentials into consideration during the hiring process. Although credentials do not give you a guarantee that you will get quality work, they do show you how involved the person is with your local community.
It also says a little something about their character as well, which is valuable information.
Any roofing contractor you hire needs to have proper licensing and insurance. If they don’t have this available, then it's best not even to consider hiring this particular roofing contractor.
If your roofing contractor does not have insurance and causes a large amount of damage, then you will be the one to pay.
As was mentioned at the beginning of this article, most homeowners don’t really know too much or concern themselves with roofing.
However, it is an important topic since you will want to protect your family and the items that are contained in your home. Knowing this information will help to keep your family and valuables safe.
