Why You Should Get a Roof Inspection Every Spring

Is it spring yet? This has been a whirlwind of a spring. We are dealing with COVID issues, colder than the normal weather, and high wind rainstorms. Given everything that has been going on, you might have forgotten about your roof’s spring inspection.

Snow, hail, sleet, wind, and the endless cycles of thawing and refreezing can take a toll on a roof. A roof inspection will identify any damage caused during the rough winter and early spring weather and it will put your mind at ease through the spring and summer rainstorms.

Below are a few issues that can result in causing roof problems.

1. Ice Dams

Winter Ice Dams can take a toll on your roof. Ice Dams typically form when heat from the house or commercial building heats the roof from below and allows snow to melt. When the water later freezes, the standing ice can damage the roof — the continually melting water can leak through the roof, and the ice also generates immense weight and pressure that creates the right conditions for cracks and leakage.

2. Clogged Gutters

During the fall, gutters and drains collect fallen leaves and other debris. Shingles also lose granules over the winter adding to the issue. Rains tamp this mass of organic material down and create a compressed mass in your gutters, restricting water flow or clogs the gutters. If gutters and drains are not cleaned out, they can overflow, causing leaks and structural damage to your foundation, eroding and staining the side of your properties.

3. Steep Slope Shingle Flashings

These are access points for water penetration, whether it be pipe flashing or step flashing on your shingle roofs. Severe weather or time can cause these flashings to deteriorate.

4. Wind Damage

High winds can damage your roof. Sometimes the damage is obvious like a complete roof blow off. Other times more subtle damage may occur like individual shingles blowing off or rubber membrane becoming detached from the structure that you may not notice. Our inspection will uncover such problems and save you from potential water damage to your building’s interior.

5. Falling Tree Branches

Ice, heavy, wet snow, and strong winds often spell trouble for tree branches. If you have tree limbs overhanging your roofs, heavy snowstorms could trigger them to fall and cause damage. Even a snow-laden or wind-driven branch that scrapes your roofs can cause damage.

Importance of Roof Inspections in the Spring

When bad weather strikes, your roof is an essential line of defense for your properties. A spring inspection can save you a lot of money by identifying possible roof issues and addressing them before becoming bigger and costly.

Roof damage may sometimes seem minimal, but often unseen leaks may cause structural or deck damage. A spring roof inspection helps you catch any problems early on before they become major issues.

A Typical Roof Inspection Consists of the Following:

Check shingles and flashings: If any of your roof’s shingles or metal flashings have come loose or been torn off an inspection can help assess and then repair the damage.
Look for evidence of leakage: An inspection also helps inform you of any contaminants such as deck or structural damage, including mold, mildew, or other structural deterioration. If the inspection detects an active leak or evidence of deterioration or potential deterioration, you will want to get the problem fixed right away to prevent further and more
costly damage.
Assess gutter conditions: If your gutters have become clogged, your spring inspection can help get them flowing freely.

A flat commercial roof inspection usually consists of the following checks and repairs:

Assess roof traffic patterns: A commercial roof is usually walked upon by technicians to perform HVAC system repairs or check on electrical systems and solar panels. Recurrent traffic patterns can cause wear and damage to your roof. An inspector can help determine whether this is the case and provide solutions.
Inspect the existing roof membrane: A commercial roof inspector will check for contamination, delamination, tears, or punctures.
Examine Flashing and Joints: Roof inspectors will pay careful attention to the edges of roofs and where different segments come together to ensure they are intact and properly sealed. These are vulnerable spots and can easily crack or collect moisture.
Inspect drainage systems: With a flat commercial roof, the drainage systems are often complicated, involving networks of drains and plumbing designed to ensure that the flat roof does not collect standing water. An inspection will make sure these systems are functioning properly.
Address faulty roof membrane seals: Sometimes, the seal of your roof’s membrane becomes compromised, and if that happens, your roof becomes ripe for water leaks. Making sure your roof is adequately sealed helps ensure that you have a safe and watertight roof.
Inspect Edge Details: A roof inspector should check for loose or missing pieces. Missing Edge Metal can cause a roofing system failure.

Apart from helping you maintain a sturdy roof that protects your property from leaks, a yearly inspection is usually required to maintain your roof warranty. Preventive maintenance, such as spring roof inspections can help you extend the lifespan of your roof.

Roofing Inspections and Solar Panels

A benefit of Solar panels is that they offer roof protection from winter weather damage and hail. If you have Solar Panels on your roof, you should only hire a roof inspector that is a Solar expert, like Kautz.

Partner with Kautz Roofing to Prepare Your Roof for Any Type of Weather

For 45 years, Kautz has been a regional provider of premier service. We are proud to be your single-source solution for all your roofing, solar, and general construction needs. Whether you need a roof installed, repaired, or inspected, Kautz is ready to address your needs.

Our sister company, KC Green Energy, installs solar panels as well — so with one call, we can inspect your roof and solar system.