A few inches of rain fell over Altadena, Arcadia, and Monrovia this month.
Ocotber is a good time to see how your roof has held up against previous winter rains and the hottest days of summer. Finding small problems now can help prevent them from turning into larger issues during the wetter months from December through February.
Here’s what to do if you’re concerned about winter rains causing potential leaks.
Check your roof outside
Photo by Photo by Adrien Olichon: Pexels
Check for loose shingles and especially loose ridge caps. High winds and tremors we don’t notice can gradually work the ridge caps loose over the years.
Look in gutters or on the ground for loose granules that have washed off shingles. The granules protect against the sun’s harsh rays and the more that wash off, then the more likely the shingles will weaken during the hottest days of summer.
Do you have proper flashing around vents, chimneys and an HVAC system if you have it on your roof? Is your drip edge bent?
Loose or missing flashing can let rain penetrate from the protrusions through seams in shingles, and through the underlayment.
If you have tile, is the color fading and can you tell if the underlayment looks healthy or worn?
It’s the underlayment for tile roofs and asphalt shingles that provides the protection against rain and leaky roofs.
Check your roof inside
Look in the attic for water spots on the plywood decking and check insulation for moisture.
Fiberglass insulation protects against heat transfer in or out of a home
Thomas Garvey, owner of Garvey Roofing, says attics need proper ventilation to keep attic temperatures as low as possible in the summer and to help dry out moisture that can build up during the winter.
Do you see water marks where the walls and ceilings meet?
If so, this could mean your underlayment or plywood decking needs replacing.
Now’s also a good time to clean out gutters from any leaves and twigs that have built up.
What to Expect When Using Garvey Roofing
Thomas Garvey started roofing homes as a teenager and he’s now operated Garvey Roofing for about 35 years, working throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
He wants to know the condition of a roof and to know the homeowner’s goals. For commercial building owners, the Garvey team knows techniques like handling interior drains and the best roofing materials for low slope roofs.
Do you need a new roof or roof repair?
The older the roof, and the longer you plan to live in your home, the more likely it is that you’ll benefit from a new roof installation.
What’s the reason? Do you expect roofing prices to rise or fall in the next 10 or 20 years?
If you’re considering selling your home in the next 3 to 5 years and your roof is doing okay then maybe you just need some repairs or reinforcements to either stop or prevent leaks.
Thomas Garvey will let you know what to expect with your budget and he’ll never cut corners.
The best roofing contractors like Garvey offer a positive customer experience.
He says, “When it rains, my phone doesn’t ring.”
All roofing estimates are free.
And for customers, Garvey Roofing guarantees all labor and materials.
Call Garvey Roofing
626-358-9208 for an appointment.
