Monsoon Season Checklist
- Check the eaves around your house for evidence of water intrusion and damaged wood decking.
- Check to make sure all gutters and drains are free of debris.
- Check key waterways such as valley water ways and dead valley water ways.
- Check for shifted, broken and or displaced roof tiles.
- Check for uplifted and or damaged roof flashings.
- Check for overhanging tree and branches and vegetation.
The key component on a sloped roof is the waterproofing material that is unforeseen until you remove the tiles to check its condition. Tiles are designed to protect the underlayment from the elements.
While roofing tile, itself can last anywhere from 25 to 50 or more years, the underlayment deteriorates much sooner. Once it is exposed to the elements, wetted frequently and subject to debris collection, it begins to breakdown. As the underlayment is the waterproofing portion of a tile roof system, it is critical to keep this component in a protected and unexposed condition. Under the best conditions however, ALL base sheets (underlayment) will weaken and fail before the concrete tile needs replacing.
- Check to make all roof drains, scuppers and or gutters are free of debris.
- Check the field for open laps, punctures, splits, etc.
- Check pipe flashings and equipment base flashing details for voids.
- Check for ponding water. Water acts like magnifying glass and will prematurely age the roof.
- Check the perimeter walls and wall caps for any voids that could allow water intrusion.
- Check for overhanging tree and branches and vegetation.
What Wears Out a Roof?
- Exposure – Either long-term exposure to the elements (sun, water, freeze / thaw) or short term exposure to damaging air pollutants and chemicals will quickly age a roof system.
- Structure Movement – Such as settlement or expansion/contraction not accommodated by the roofing system. If it was not designed for long-term performance, it probably will have problems very early on.
- Biological Growth – Such as vegetation in areas of standing water or algae growth on dark areas of a roof system.
- Not Fixing Problems Promptly – Problems will usually not go away on their own! Small defects can add up to a much shorter roof life. If water is allowed to enter a roof system repeatedly, there can be serious damage created on the roof deck or within the roof system insulation. These defects can easily grow to be very costly.
- Forgetting About Maintenance – Neglect is perhaps the single biggest cause of premature roof failure – a small amount of attention twice a year can extend a roof life by 35%.
- Change in the use of the Building – A simple increase in the interior relative humidity of a building can cause severe condensation problems within the roof system causing early failure./li>
One of the most frequently forgotten parts on any roofing project is corrective and preventive maintenance. Nothing on an exterior of a dwelling will last forever, roofs included. A yearly inspection and preventive maintenance will extend life of a roof well beyond the warranty on well-designed roof systems. A licensed professional should inspect any roof before and after monsoon season her is AZ with our extreme weather.