You know the old saying, “out of sight, out of mind.” That holds especially true for your roof. Too often, a costly leak is your first indication of a problem. Here at Innovative Designs we like to think of the roof as a capital piece of equipment, an important asset protecting your home or business.
In Central New York, your roof membrane is exposed to many stresses that may shorten the life of your roofing system. You’ll save money by protecting it and making sure its functioning properly. We recommend that building owners have their roof(s) inspected at least twice a year, ideally in the spring and fall. And it’s definitely a good idea after severe weather.
Remove any debris that may have fallen onto the roof surface between inspections. Be sure that gutters and roof drains are clean. If debris has fallen onto the roof, inspect the surface for damage. If your roof needs maintenance or repairs, we recommend a qualified roofing contractor knowledgeable about your type of roof.
A major concern is your roof warranty. All too often, we get on a roof where the building owners have tried to save money by repairing the roof themselves, only to find out they voided their warranty. A qualified roofing contractor will ensure that your roof warranty is maintained and the appropriate repair methods are used.
The roofing industry recommends the following eight-step inspection:
1. Evaluation of interior conditions
2. Evaluation of exterior conditions
3. Overall roof condition
4. Roof perimeter edging/fascia/gravel stop
5. Flashing conditions
6. Roof penetrations/rooftop equipment
7. Expansion joint covers
8. Pitch pockets
Now is a good time to give your roof a pre-winter going-over. We have years of experience with roof design and inspections and we’re happy to recommend some good local roofers. So just call us at 315.737.4416. We’ll be glad to help you keep your building dry this winter with a solid, damage free roof.
Until next time,
Dan Berkhoudt, AIA, LEED-AP
and
Tom Davis, P.E.
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