While it may seem like there is only one type of roofing, your roof is actually a complex system of structures that work together to protect your home. When any of these parts becomes the victim of storm damage, heat, or other factors, it can put the integrity of your house at risk and lead to more significant damages with time. Maintaining your investment as a homeowner is never easy, but with the right tools and proper upkeep of each of these components, it is possible to avoid potential issues with your roof. When a residential roofing company inspects your roof, they are checking all these various components:
Components to Inspect
Fascias and Soffits
Fascias are horizontal panels that comprise the uppermost vertical edge of the roof’s exterior. They are secured to the tails of rafters. Soffits cover the space underneath the roof’s overhangs. These two components work together to perform a variety of functions.
-Fascias hold gutters in place
-Soffits help maintain ventilation to the home by providing high-efficiency intake vents
-Fascias and soffits work together to prevent excessive water damage by protecting the eaves and rafters from wind-driven rain
-Fascias and soffits lend a pleasing finished look to the exterior of a home
Underlayment
The underlayment is a dark paper-like material secured over the plywood sheeting layer of a home. Typically made of asphalt-saturated felt or, more recently, a synthetic alternative, a high-quality underlayment seals the roof and provides the last defense against water infiltration. A compromised underlay can lead to more significant moisture damage to your property, making it an essential component for residential roofing in the Austin area.
Flashing
Flashing protects the roof’s most vulnerable and critical areas. Flashing is made up of thin metal pieces, typically galvanized steel or alloy, and can be found in a variety of places on the roof. Your roof may have:
-Chimney flashing
-Skylight flashing
-Roof vent flashing
-Plumbing vent flashing
When flashing becomes warped or damaged, it compromises the roof’s most critical areas, making it a hotspot for residential and commercial roofing company inspections.
Dormers
Dormers project out of the roof through two connection points. They are often complete with windows and add space and light to the inside of the home. Dormers add an aesthetic flair to a home’s exterior but can be challenging to shingle and require protection from flashing because of the angles they are set at. Due to this involvement of various constituents, a thorough inspection of a roof’s dormers goes a long way in ensuring the efficacy of each piece of the roof.
Gutters
Gutters are long plastic or metal trough-like components that aid in proper water flow over and across the roof. They help direct water to downspouts that guide the water off and away from the house. Improperly functioning gutters or downspouts can lead to structural damage and complications.
There are many vital components that come together to perform the proper function of a roof. When any one of these components is compromised, it can have a domino effect on other parts of the roof, causing more significant damage to a home over time. It can be wise to have your roof and all the parts of this system regularly inspected by a residential or commercial roofing company to ensure that everything is in good working order.
Our roofing company located in Austin will always inspect your roof for any issues that may need to be addressed. They will also check for any potential issues that could arise in the future.
Some of the things that they will look out for are:
– Any signs of water damage or leaks
– The condition of your shingles
– The condition of your gutters
– The condition of your chimney