From Asphalt Shingles to Zinc Strips

Protect The Value Of Your Rental Home By Having The Roof Inspected And Repaired

When you own rental homes, it's important to keep your homes in good repair so they increase in value. If one of your rental homes has an older roof, you may want to pay a roofing contractor to inspect it for damage. If the roof is leaking or has an area that looks vulnerable to leaks, early repairs could save you and your tenants a lot of trouble. Here are some areas of the roof your contractor might inspect.

Around The Chimney And Vents

Places on your roof where things rise up through the deck and shingles are at a high risk of leaking. These areas usually have rubber boots or metal flashing to reduce the risk of leaks, so it's important that flashing and boots are in good shape. Both can deteriorate due to old age and exposure to the sun.

If a roofing contractor finds rubber boots that are cracked or crumbling, they should be replaced before they start leaking. Rusted areas on flashing should be removed, but if the flashing has holes in it from rust, the roofer will probably put on new flashing.

In The Roof Valley

The valley of your roof sees the most water when it rains since water drains toward the valley. This puts the valley area at a high risk of leaking. Plus, shingles are overlapped differently in the valley than they are on a flat section of roofing. Flashing is also used in valleys to prevent leaking, so the roofer might lift up some shingles to check the flashing for rust.

Along The Ridge Vents

The very top of your roof has vents that allow warm air in your attic to flow out so your attic stays cooler. The vents are covered with shingles, but if a shingle is lifted or missing, rain can leak in the vent. Your roof might also have a turbine vent that spins and draws hot air out of the attic. Your roofer may check the turbine to make sure it isn't stuck or allowing rain to leak in.

Functioning vents are important for preventing roof damage from an overheated attic, so the roofer may need to make repairs if the vents aren't working or if they're leaking.

Over The Roof Surface

The roof surface also has to be checked for damage and areas of leaking. The signs of damage your roofing might see depend on the type of roofing you have. They might look for rust, holes, missing shingles, cracks, dark spots, chips, and a soft or spongy roof deck. When the roofer has completed the inspection, you'll learn about the repairs the roof needs and you'll also know how close your roof is to the end of its life so you can prepare for a replacement.

To learn more, contact a roofing contractor in your area.