Protection from the top

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF A ROOF PROBLEM

If it’s been a while since you’ve had your roof inspected, your first priority should be to identify and fix any major problems.

Signs of serious problems may be apparent even from inside the building. Water stains on a ceiling may signal a leak, which can be caused by a crack or hole in the roof. It’s important to understand that even the smallest leak can be a sign of big trouble. Similarly, if the building has unexplained mold or odors inside, this may indicate a roof leak resulting in water penetration. While internal water damage or mold may signal trouble above, it’s also important to visually inspect the roof itself to look for problems that are likely to worsen over time.

Depending on the slope of the roof and the ease of access, inspections sometimes can be done by the building owner, but in many cases, it makes sense to hire a contractor to make sure the job is done safely and correctly. Even if you are hiring a professional, reviewing the problems identified in this article may help you to understand the significance of what he or she has identified and the need for action.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: VISUAL CLUES

Prolonged standing water or ponding on the roof can lead to premature aging and deterioration of the cover, which will lead to leaks. Leaks that go undetected can slowly rust steel roof decks, rot wood decks, and turn light weight insulating concrete and gypsum decks into a thick paste like substance. Additionally, excessive standing water can lead to significant additional weight, which can weaken the roof deck.

Bubbles may indicate trapped moisture within the roof cover, which can lead to leaks, reduce the life span of the cover, speed up premature aging of the deck, and reduce the roof cover system’s effectiveness against uplift forces associated with a windstorm. Another cause of bubbles is the release of gasses from insulation board that gets trapped below the cover. A roof cut or moisture survey of the roof cover can be completed to assist in the diagnosis.

Roof flashing is the strips of metal or other impervious material installed around the perimeter of the roof edge where the roof cover meets the wall. It is also installed around objects (such as rooftop equipment) that protrude from the roof in order to deflect water away from seams and joints. However, a gap in the flashing or roof cover perimeter (see below) greatly increases the potential for roof cover failure during a high wind event and water intrusion or mold. For further information including flashing repairs and replacement guidance.

Tears in the roof cover or worn or cracking seams can allow water to enter below the cover.

ADDITIONAL AREAS FOR INSPECTION

If there is a lightning protection system check to see if it is loose or detached as shown below. This can lead to a tear or puncture in the roof covering, especially during strong winds. A lightning protection system that has disconnected metal cables or aerials is no longer capable of providing the intended protection for the building’s occupants.

If there are skylights, check to be sure they are properly secured. Skylights that are not well sealed and secured around the frame’s edge can leak, which may cause the skylights to become dislodged and allow for wind driven rain and debris to enter the building, especially during a high wind event.

Also, over time the plastic domed panels can become brittle and very susceptible to cracks.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

The best way to avoid roof-related problems and strengthen weather resistance is through regular care and preventive maintenance. Proper maintenance also prolongs the life of a roof and in many instances will allow for “repair” instead of “replacement” when a problem is identified. The frequency of inspections for routine maintenance depends on several factors, including the age of the roof, recent weather events, rooftop foot traffic, and conditions identified during previous inspections. That said, scheduling inspections every 6 months (fall and spring) is an effective way to make sure they are not sidetracked by the press of other important business.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• All inspections should look for and develop a repair plan for the items that indicate signs of problems described above.

• After a severe windstorm or hurricane, inspect your roof for damage, as repeated storms can reduce the strength of the roof. Even if the roof survived a storm, it may have been damaged or weakened enough to fail during the next storm, or the one after that.

• Inspections should look for signs of previous leaks or other problems to make sure that repairs have stayed intact.

• Remove any loose objects and accumulated debris. A clean roof eliminates leaves and other materials that have a tendency to hold moisture, which can speed up the deterioration of the roofing materials. In dry areas, keeping the roof clear of debris reduces the risk that embers from a wildfire will ignite the roof.

• Keep trees trimmed. This prevents branches from rubbing against the roof and leaves from accumulating on the roof and clogging drains and gutters.

• Check gutters and downspouts for leaves, twigs and other debris that will inhibit proper drainage.

• Inspect rooftop vents and equipment to make sure they are well sealed. Seal any gaps with flashing cement. Replacement may be necessary if the metal flashing is badly deteriorated, or if vents can wiggle back and forth.

• After a hail event with hail stones larger than ¾ inch, contact your insurer and have the roof inspected even if you are not aware of any damage.

• Consulting a professional roofing contractor may be helpful if concerns exist after a maintenance review of the roof. The contractor can also help to determine the health of the roof, estimate the remaining life of the roof, help you develop a maintenance plan, and identify additional steps to protect the roof.

A properly maintained roof is necessary to protect your building and the business conducted within it. Remember that a little maintenance can result in a lot of savings, especially when compared to the cost of damage from a small, undetected leak or a catastrophic roof failure.

© 2012 Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

Looking for roofers for your commercial and industrial building project?  Call Action Roof Service on

Family Family- As a family of co-workers, we treat each other and our customers like family. Family is at the core of who we are.
“Family isn’t an important thing. It’s everything.” Michael J. Fox
Accountability Accountability We do the right thing, the right way-every time.
“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.” (moliere)
Customer Relationships Customer Relationships- We build long lasting relationships with our customers by listening and delivering peace of mind through exceptional service.
“Realize that everything connects to everything else.” Leonardo Da Vinci
Striving for perfection Striving for perfection - We provide outstanding products and unsurpassed service that, together, deliver premium value to our customers.
“There’s no such thing as Perfection. But, in striving for perfection, we can achieve excellence.” Vince Lombardi
Innovative Thinking Innovative Thinking - We use our proven process to come up with new ideas and solutions for our customers and their unique situations. “Innovation is change that unlocks new value.” Jamie Notter
Grit Grit - Passion, perseverance and persistence to get the job done right. “True grit is making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done.”

Damscrhoder Roofing Inc.

Manufacturers

Damschroder Roofing was founded in 1976 and has been a family, locally owned business for over 45 years. We pride ourselves on the quality process we provide to all of our customers from start to finish.
Damschroder was happy to sponsor the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County Annual Holiday Reception last night. We had a great time connecting with other Chamber members while enjoying the festivities!#commercialroofingcontractor #CommunityInvolvement #merrychristmas2023 ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Veteran employee Daniel Smith (20 years in the field, currently 4th year in sales) back at it again. He's still got the skills!#skilledtrades #thiscouldbeyou #HiringNow ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
We Need You! Come join our family at Damschroder Roofing!#JoinOurTeam #damschroderroofing #RoofingExcellence ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Who would you trust more to protect your roof than a group like this??Damschroder Roofing Installation Crews and Project Management having a Team Building Day for the win.#commercialroofing #teambuilding #paintballfun ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Don't be scared...call us for all your commercial flat roofing needs! 419-332-5000#commercialroofingcontractor #flatroof #notricksjusttreats ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Some of our sales team attended the first-ever STG Transform Conference in Dallas this week, inspiring personal and professional growth. Congrats to Ian Rammel for receiving the Commercial Sales Director of the Year Award!#salesteam #thetransformconference2023 #ProfessionalGrowth ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Normally our employees work on TOP of the roof, but last weekend our owner's wife, Jen, went Over The Edge for Victory! Damschroder is proud to support The Victory Center and local cancer survivors.#thevictorycenter #overtheedgeforvictory #CommunitySupportMatters ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
On this Labor Day weekend, take a minute to appreciate not just the day off, but the fact that you have a job to have a day off from. Damschroder will be closed Monday, Sept. 4th to celebrate our hard work, but will be back to help you with your commercial roofing needs on Tuesday, Sept. 5th.#labordayweekend #timeoffwithfamily ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
🙌🏆 **A Big Thank You to our Over the Edge Victory Rooftop Sponsor, Damschroder Roofing, Inc !** 🏠🛠️🌟 **About Damschroder Roofing:**With a legacy of excellence spanning 46 years, Damschroder Roofing has established itself as a trusted name in the industry. Their commitment to craftsmanship, durability, and customer satisfaction aligns perfectly with our goals at The Victory Center, making them an invaluable partner for this endeavor.🎉 Thank you, Damschroder Roofing! #SponsorAppreciation #CommunityPartnership #GratitudePost ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
The girls at Damschroder enjoyed a great evening at the very first Toledo Chapter of National Women in Roofing event last night! The Toledo chapter is co-chaired by our own Tiffany Wood, along with Molly Quinn. We look forward to getting this chapter off the ground and getting other women in roofing involved. Stay tuned for future events!#NWIR #womeninroofing #damschroderroofinginc. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
© Copyright - Damschroder Roofing INC | Website By Rockit Creative Solutions
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram Skip to content