Maintaining Shingles and Roof
Maintaining a Roof and Shingles
Unless you live or travel to parts of the deep South, you may not be aware of how bad roofs can get stained with dirt, mildew and roof algae. I have seen algae-stained roofs in the Midwest, but they are nothing like those I have seen down South. It is an epidemic down there.
What's more, people generally consider roofs to be maintenance free. Sure you have to replace them every 15 to 20 years, but in between those times, one should not have to do anything. Well that may or may not be true, depending upon how well your roof was installed.
Check it Out
It is a good idea to get up a ladder and look at your roof from time to time. Things can happen. A series of storms can take its toll on the average roof. Nails can work loose. Flashings can rust. Things can and do wear out. If you can't safely get up on your roof, then hire a responsible roofer to do the inspection. Ask them to take digital or instant photos to show you the defects, once they get back on the ground. You will be able to see the problems for yourself.
Avoiding Problems
Roof leaks happen at the worst times. I have never seen one on a sunny day! At the height of a rain storm or several days after a heavy snow fall, water can stream into your home. This is not the time to get up on a roof to try to fix a leak. Cut the problem off at the pass.
Most roof leaks happen at flashings. Flashings are roofing system components that connect actual roofing materials to things that are not a roof. You will find flashings wherever something sticks up through a roof or butts up next to a roof. Look for them at plumbing vent pipes, skylights, chimneys, walls, etc.
Flashings are not easy to install. Rookie roofers often have problems because they lack proper training, skill and diligence. It takes time to fully understand how flashings work and how they are created, formed and installed.
Flashing Materials
I happen to prefer 40 pound tin or copper for my flashings. Both of these materials are easy to solder. Solder? You bet you need to solder flashings! When you form a counter flashing around a dormer corner or chimney corner, the only real way to get a tight seal is to solder the flashing at several spots. It is not hard to do, but you must solder nonetheless.
You can't solder aluminum - at least not easily. I have seen lots of aluminum flashing installed and it is caulked! I do not consider caulk to be a long lasting roofing material.
Beware of using aluminum in contact with brick or stone. The alkali compounds in mortar corrode aluminum. I would only use, tin, copper, galvanized steel or sheet lead to flash in contact with masonry surfaces.
Roof Safety
Roofs are dangerous places. I have fallen off them before. I am lucky to be alive and not broken up. But trust me, you can get seriously hurt in a roof fall. Death is a distinct possibility. Permanent disability is also a possibility.
If you are not confident of your roof walking / working skills, then do NOT get up on one. Even if you do get up, you must move slowly and think about what you are doing.
Wet roofs are highly dangerous. If you decide to clean your roof, then you must really be careful. Fall protection equipment is mandated by OSHA rules and it is a good idea to wear fall protection harnesses that are securely attached to the roof!
Related Column: Roof Maintenance
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