Want to Keep your roof with Roofing Maintenance in Western Pennsylvania?
The crew at The Roofing Company can lay out a calendar of simple roof checks, so leaves, moss and storms do less harm
Dial 412-858-8858 to talk about a routine for your roof
Small Jobs That Prevent Big Ones: a Sensible Habit
Most roofs fail slowly, one small defect at a time, long before a ceiling shows a stain; a short routine catches small defects while they are still easy to fix.
The point of Roofing Maintenance is to stretch the life of a roof and avoid damage that spreads; it fits around the seasons in this part of the country.
A Year of Roof Care in Pittsburgh: What Each Season Asks
After the last snow melts, spring is the moment to look over a roof for freeze-thaw damage; check the gutters for shingle grit and sagging, which tell you what the roof lost.
Summer is a good season for cleaning and repair, because shingles are warm and flexible and dry days are plentiful; branches that scrape the roof or hang over it should be trimmed back.
Before the cold sets in, fall is the season to make the roof ready for the weight of snow; a tidy roof in November is far less likely to leak in January.
Winter is a season for watching a roof from the ground, since ice and snow make the surface dangerous; watch for icicles, ice at the eaves and snow that melts unevenly.
Spring, summer, fall and winter each set a different task for Roofing Maintenance; a roofer can set up a schedule that suits the age and style of your roof.
Clearing the Roof's Drainage: Simple but Essential
Clogged gutters send water over the edge and behind the fascia, where it rots wood and feeds ice dams; mature trees around Pittsburgh drop a surprising amount of debris.
Debris piles up in valleys and around chimneys, holding moisture against the roof surface; if you cannot reach the debris safely, a roofer can clear it in a short visit.
Moss, Algae and Shady Slopes, and What to Avoid
A roof under tall trees or facing north stays damp, which invites moss, lichen and dark streaks; trimming back the trees lets the sun do some of the work.
Pressure washing is the wrong tool for a shingle roof, because it blasts away the granules that protect the surface; letting in more sun slows regrowth on a shaded slope.
Small Parts That Fail First, Piece by Piece
- Flashing around chimneys, skylights and walls should lie flat, tight and free of rust.
- Rubber boots around plumbing vents can be swapped without replacing anything else.
- Roofing cement at joints can crack and pull back with age.
The small parts are where Roofing Maintenance earns its keep, since seals and flashing wear faster than shingles; a good visit ends with a list of what to watch.
Spotting Wear Before It Becomes Damage: a Practical Guide
A shingle that sheds its granules loses the protective layer that shields the mat from sun; look at the roof from the ground in different light to see the surface.
After a windstorm, one or two torn tabs are easy to replace if you act before the next rain; matching the color of an older shingle is not always possible.
Each round of Roofing Maintenance shows how quickly the shingles are aging and what the next step may be; it helps you judge when repairs stop being worth it.
Heat, Air and Moisture Overhead: a Quiet Check
A leaky, under-insulated attic warms the roof deck and melts snow from below, which is what makes ice dams; frost on the nails in winter means warm, damp air is getting up there.
Dark patches, damp insulation and a musty smell in the attic show that water or humid air is getting in; damp insulation loses its value and should be dried or replaced.
Special Cases on Hillside and Rowhouse Streets: a Few Notes
Hillside lots and tight streets mean gutters, flashing and small flat roofs get more attention than the shingles themselves; tar and old patches on these parts are worth a close look.
Before Roofing Maintenance starts on an older house, the roofer should learn what the roof is made of and where it is weak; a short list for each roof section keeps the work clear.
A Simple Log for the Roof: Easy to Start
A short note after every visit, with the date and what was found, builds a history of the roof; a folder in a drawer works just as well.
The longer you keep the records from Roofing Maintenance, the more useful they become; they show whether a stain is new or old.
Homeowner Jobs and Professional Jobs: Keeping Safe
There is a lot you can do from the ground, such as watching for stains, checking the gutters and photographing the roof; a few photographs from the ground will tell a roofer a lot.
Flashing repair, shingle replacement, sealing and moss treatment belong to a crew with proper equipment; a short phone call can help you decide whether a visit is needed.
The Steps of a Roof Care Visit: Step by Step
A visit begins with a chat about what you have noticed, then a look at the roof from the yard; flashing, boots and sealant are checked and small repairs made as agreed.
At the end the roofer reviews the findings, shows photographs and lists what needs attention soon and what can wait; share the record with the next roofer who looks at the roof.
A Short List for Your Roofer: Plain Questions
- What does a maintenance visit include on a roof like mine, and can I see photographs?
- When is the right time of year for a visit on a house like this, and what should I do between visits?
- What would make you recommend a bigger job, and how soon?
When You Are Ready to Start, and Plan the Year
A roof that is looked after tends to last longer, leak less and cause fewer surprises; you do not need a problem to ask for a visit.
Reach us at 412-858-8858 to set up Roofing Maintenance for your home; we can start with the roof you have today.
