In addition to being most people’s largest personal financial investment, a home is where memories are made and precious treasures are kept. Roofs play an essential role in keeping all those things protected and just as other parts of a home require maintenance for top performance, it is important to repair and replace roofs when needed.
Local roofing expert Rachel Einck of Nailed It Roofing & Construction recommends having the roof inspected every 1 to 2 years to identify trouble areas and prevent damage. “All over your roof are exposed nails and it has to be that way; there is no other option,” she explained. “There is a piece of caulk or silicone over each exposed nail, but as the sun beats down on that, it dries it up, cracks, and then breaks off. When that happens, those small nail holes let water in.” Having the nails resealed during a tune-up provides a quick and easy solution to head off leaks and water damage.
Improper attic ventilation can also be a problem. If vents are not working properly, or if they are placed too close together and exchange air instead of circulating fresh air, the attic does not get appropriately ventilated. This can cause blisters in the shingles, leaving room for unwanted water flow.
According to Rachel, although most architectural shingles are rated for thirty years, those ratings often reflect ideal conditions. With the intense Texas heat and storms, many roofs are damaged and begin showing signs of extreme wear within six to eight years and need to be replaced within twenty years.
Easily identifiable signs of roof damage include increasing amounts of shingle granules in gutters or under the eaves, which may indicate blisters in the shingles or other damage meaning that the shingles need to be replaced. Seeing gray around the edge of the shingles or finding shingles flipped up are also warning signs of damage.
A less visible sign of roof damage includes rotten decking around vents and exposed areas that can be discovered during inspection. “There are so many things we can see that most people aren't able to see, mainly because of the viewpoint of us being on the roof instead of looking from the ground,” said Rachel. “We are able to see the valley, look on the ridge, and feel for rotten decking. Even if I can't see that your vent is leaking, if I step around it and it's squishy, we know that there is an issue with the decking and that water is getting in somewhere, somehow.”
Rachel’s biggest tip for extending the life of a roof and saving money, in the long run, is to research reviews and choose a roofing company such as Nailed It Roofing & Construction that emphasizes quality work, uses professional-grade products, is licensed and insured, and goes above and beyond building codes to ensure the roof provides optimal protection for as long as possible.
Nailed It Roofing & Construction is a full-service general contracting company with expertise in roof repair and replacement. It is a locally owned family business that has been serving the community since 1994. For more information, visit naileditroofer.com, call 682-323-6128, or email office@naileditroofer.com. Also, follow @naileditroofingandconstruction on Facebook and Instagram.
“There are so many things we can see that most people aren't able to see, mainly because of the viewpoint of us being on the roof instead of looking from the ground,”