Roof Maintenance And Repair

Those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest are more than familiar with the lazy drizzle of spring rains, the downpours of summer that keep the rich foliage lush and green, and the blustery winds and rains brought by the gray skies of autumn and winter. We live with and appreciate the grand cycles of the seasons – until that one rainy day when we look up and notice (to our dismay) the drip, drip, drip of water coming through the ceiling or running down a wall.

While dripping water or water stains on the walls or ceiling are a sure sign of a roof leak, not all roof damage is so obvious. So how do you tell if your roof is damaged, where it is damaged, and what to do about it? Here are a few tell-tale signs that something is wrong with your roof and that it probably needs repaired – and repaired before a costly, wet catastrophe sets in:

1. As mentioned above, dripping water is strong evidence of a damaged roof. But keep in mind that water can travel a long way (down a roof truss, venting, or pipe) before it leaves its unruly mark. If there is a hole in the roof, water will find it — and eventually make its way to the ceiling, floor, or wall. The trick is to find the actual leak and stop it before it does irreparable or heavy damage.

2. Something less obvious is moisture seeping into the house down a chimney, around a vent or stovepipe, or slowly oozing and spreading around a skylight or where ridges intersect. They become evident if you can feel wet insulation directly under that spot on the roof, or you see mold or discoloration on the underside of the roof sheathing in that immediate place.

3. On the outside of the home you can look for moss growth (which degrades the durability and appearance of roofs such as cedar and asphalt shingles) or cracked and missing sealant around skylights, chimneys, and eaves. Look for split or missing shingles or those that have become bare, curled, or blistered. Check for faulty flashing (typically galvanized non-corrosive metal used around chimneys, eaves, venting, skylights, ridges, and where the roof meets the wall.)

Surprisingly, flashing can break down over time, or pull away from the roof just enough to let water through. All of these things (at the very least) merit a simple repair or (worst case scenario) are a sure sign the roof has reached the end of its life and needs an extensive repair or replacement.

So what do you do now?

If you have pinpointed a roof leak it may be a simple fix for a handy do-it-yourselfer. Nevertheless, be aware that working on a roof, even to replace a shake or shingle or to caulk around a skylight, can be dangerous. Use common sense, be extremely cautious around power lines, satellite dishes, and conduits, use a proper and well-secured ladder, let someone know (or have a helper) that you are up there, and never start a roofing repair in cold, wet, or stormy weather.

If the roof is leaking like a sieve or has multiple missing shingles or shakes, it’s time to contact an experienced roofing contractor. The roof may not be beyond repair (meaning a completely new roof) but a professional should assess the extent of the damage and let you know the best options for repair or replacement. Repairing or replacing a roof is a specialized skill and an important investment for keeping your home safe, protected, and dry.

Corvus Constructionis willing and able to do the job. We are extremely qualified and experienced in doing a quick, properly finished roofing job — using the right materials and making sure your home is protected and you are 100% satisfied.

For more information and a free estimate:

Give Corvus Construction a call at (206) 355 4981 for a free home roofing/roofing repair estimate. You can also contact us anytime by filling out our website contact form or by sending us an e-mail to info@corvus-construction.com. We look forward to hearing from you!