Precipitation Protection Tips For The Roof
Precipitation, in all its forms, is bad for the roof. For example, water deteriorates many roofing materials, hailstones cause physical damage, and snow can overload the roof. Thus, you need adequate measures to prevent precipitation damage to the roof. Below are some of the things you can do.
Seal the Roof
Roof sealants are waterproof materials that form a protective barrier on the roof to prevent water penetration. Sealing the roof with the right sealants ensures that water from rainfall or melting snow and ice doesn't penetrate the roof and cause damage. Roof sealants deteriorate over time, so their periodic application is necessary.
Install Adequate Flashing
Flashing is metal that roof installers install on parts of the roof most vulnerable to leaks. For example, flashing is necessary on roof valleys and around roof penetrations, such as chimneys, vents, and skylights. Wear and tear, as well as weather elements, such as hailstones, can damage the flashing. Thus, regular inspection of flashing is necessary to confirm its integrity.
Ensure the Drainage System's Proper Design and Maintenance
The roof's drainage system is its primary defense against precipitation effects. A good drainage system ensures that water drains off the roof as soon as possible. The drainage system depends on roof pitch, design, and surface area, among other factors.
You don't have to worry about drainage design if a professional roofing contractor installs your roof. Just ensure you maintain the drainage system after installation. For example, avoid DIY roof installations that might impede water flow.
Use Ice and Water Shields
The shield is a waterproof membrane that the roofer installs between the roof decking and roofing material. The membrane ensures that any water penetrating the roofing material doesn't reach the decking material.
Like flashing, the ice and water shield is necessary for parts of the roof most vulnerable to water leaks, such as roof valleys. Many areas that receive heavy penetration have building codes requiring ice and water shield. However, you are free you use the membrane anywhere as extra protection against precipitation damage.
Keep the Roof Clean
The more precipitation stays on the roof, the more it will likely cause damage. For example, snow can accumulate on the roof and cause structural damage. Precipitation in all its forms can penetrate the roof if it overstays. Keep the roof clean to ensure snow and ice can slide, and water can flow off the roof.
Contact a local roofing service, such as Columbia Roofing Inc, to learn more.
Can you imagine hammering away at shingles from dawn until dusk? If this sounds like fun, then you may have a future in the roofing industry. If this does not sound fun at all, then you're going to be someone who calls a roofing company and leave the work to the professionals. There's nothing wrong with that. Roofing is hard and dangerous; it's definitely not for everyone. In fact, we don't climb up on the roof ourselves. We do, however, write about roofing on this blog. We consider that to be a small service we can do for homeowners who are interested in roofing and want to know more.