14- Point Inspection
Decking
A great roofer knows it all starts with a solid foundation. The decking is what attaches the rest your roofing system to your home. Most insurance and roofing inspectors skip a trip through the attic. We inspect it whenever access is available to insure that everything above it will stay on for years to come.
Fascia/Gutters and Drip Edge
Fascia is the trim board that faces outward and can provide a beautiful accent to your home. However, when not protected properly, it can become unsightly as well as easy access for pests. The drip edge keeps rain running over and down the front of the fascia instead of behind it. Gutters attach to the fascia and safely direct water away from your home. A new coat of paint will help keep everything protected for years to come. It is best to address any issues prior to installing a new roof. We strive to be the best roofer in Texas so we are happy to provide any of these repairs or upgrades for your home or business.
Underlayment and Multiple Layers
Underlayment is the unsung hero of your roofing system. It keeps your home water tight even if something slips by the outer material. We use a synthetic underlayment that is extremely durable and will last as long as any new roof out there. It baffles me some roofing companies still use felt paper because it is as durable as it sounds. We also check to ensure there is only a single layer of roofing material on your roof. Even if another roofer cut corners on your home in the past, Roof It Pros can help make it right.
Hips/Ridges/Valleys
During Central Texas rainstorms, if you have any valleys on your roof, the vast majority of water will flow down it like a river. If your roof just has valley metal, they are prime places to find a leak. We replace it with a thick and sticky water shield that seals itself around nails and is twice as wide! Hips and ridges are the edges of your roof that stick out and are the most susceptible to erosion. We have found a number of roofs that have a roof that should last them 40 years while the hips and ridge were covered with regular 20-25 year shingles. Why!?
Is Anything Missing?
Sometimes things that should be there just aren’t. We are constantly checking for signs of missing items, it can be as blatant as a ridge cap or as minute as a missing screw holding down a satellite dish that left a small hole through your roof. Rest assured that we are checking for everything. The only we found wrong on the roof pictured were these exposed nails on the final ridge cap. We were able to replace the missing sealant right then and there obviously at no charge for such a simple repair.
Physical Damage
Of course physical damage on the surface is a key indicator your roof’s structural integrity. Storm damage comes in many forms. Hail, wind, and water damage are extremely common here in central Texas. Sometimes damage is caused just by not getting around to get that tree trimmed next to the house. However it was caused we can help you navigate a fast and safe replacement. Best case scenario, your roof gets a clean bill of health and you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing your home will weather through the storms.
Brittle Test
Even though the brittle test is exclusive to shingles we include it because the vast majority of homes still have asphalt shingles installed. The point of the text it to let us know weather a repair is feasible. Sometime damage is restricted to a few small areas. For us to be able to patch a section of shingles we need to be able to lift the shingles above that area in order to slide the new shingles underneath for a proper overlap. So we lift a couple of the shingles to see if they are too brittle and crack. If cracking occurs just a repair is no longer a viable option.
Roof Penetrations
Roof penetrations are basically holes through the roofing material and decking. It is imperative that these areas have the correct style of flashing and are installed via manufacturers specifications. If not the hole becomes a drain and the next thing you know it’s raining inside too. Notice the screws that another company decided to leave between this boot jack and the metal roof? The seal is compromised so even if it is currently water tight, it wont be for long.
Flashing
Flashing is used to seal your roof anywhere your roofing material comes in contact with siding material. These areas are also prone to leaks. If a chimney is towards the center of a home, it should use “L” and “step” flashing as well as a chimney cricket when over 30” wide. A chimney cricket diverts water away from the flat side of the chimney. When the correct flashing isn’t used, leaks can occur and or cause premature wear on your home. See above…
Proper Ventilation
Next we run some calculations to verify your roof is properly ventilated. Not enough airflow and your home becomes a hotbox, too much and your roof could run off like Dorothy’s house in the Wizard of Oz. While exhaust, gable, turtle, turbine, ridge, eave, power, and solar might look like random words to you we can help get your roof up to date and up to building code. We were able to bring this homes bathroom vents back up to code by extending the duct work and adding two new exhaust vents into their roof replacement. Goodbye stinky attic, hello proper ventilation!
Pitch
A roofs pitch can be a major factor in what type of material should be used on your home. The pitch tells us how steep your roof is. Roof Leaks can occur when the incorrect material is used. Transitions from one pitch to another or from one roofing material to the next can also mean trouble. The flatter the roof is the more susceptible to rain being blown back up the roof and possibly under the roofing material. Steep roofs can provide quick runoff but with the extra speed water can also flow up and under transitions.
Material Types
Clay Tile
Metal Roof
Shingle Roof