Fall will be here before you know it. We enjoy the changing leaves along our historic streets, at the arboretum and maybe even Shenandoah National Park. We greet the holidays and we want to relax and enjoy what fall brings our way. Roof leaks are not one of them!
Fall is an excellent time of year to make sure your roof is prepared for the rain, wintry mix and snow that is sure to come to the DC area. Ideally, you should have your roof checked at least once each year to ensure it is in the best condition possible to weather the storms. Preventing roof leaks and extending the life of your roof requires a proactive approach that focuses on maintaining effective drainage and material integrity.
While some homeowners can access their roof, most cannot do so safely and are unaware of the roof’s condition. While the DIY approach to fixing things around your house is okay in some cases, roofing problems generally should be left to the experts.
Here are the key items a roofing professional will look for:
- Gutters and downspouts are clean and free of debris. An overflowing or clogged drain can create leak nightmares.
- The seals on roof vent pipes are secured and free of gaps.
- Skylight seals where the glass connects to the frame and flashing where the frame connects to the roof are secure and free of gaps.
- Chimney flashing and chimney mortar and caps should be included in the inspection
- Seams on a metal or membrane roof are often weak points that should be checked.
- HVAC roofing penetrations and wiring can be a cause of roof leaks.
- Check overlapping seams on parapet walls and wall caps
- Inspect rusty, worn-out spots on metal roofs
- Check the condition of slate tiles and shingles or turret roofs
- Built-in-gutters below the turret often wear out or have pooling water which can cause problems
- Tops and flashing of trap doors/hatches are often a major cause of leaks
- Tree branches that extend out over the roof should be cut back. Both the leaves and fallen branches can be a source of problems.
Once the potential areas of vulnerability are identified, an action plan should be developed to address the problems and prevent future leaks. In my experience, virtually every older roof (20+ years) will have some weak areas to be repaired. Roof leaks can cause significant damage to ceilings, walls, floors and other internal areas so you want to take care of problems as soon as possible to reduce the potential damage and the cost of repairs.
You should also find a good, experienced roofer with expertise in working on the types of roofing structures common to Capitol Hill row houses.
Tom Daniel is owner and general manager of R. Thomas Daniel Roofing, LLC (The Hill’s Roofer) and is the third generation of the Daniel family to provide roofing services to thousands of Capitol Hill homeowners for nearly 100 years. Tom was born in Capitol Hill and has supported numerous community organizations. For help with all your roofing needs he can be reached at 202-569-1080, or tom@rthomasdanielroofing.com.
