3 Key Areas To Inspect On Your Landed Property Rooftop

In Singapore, landed property rooftops experience harsh damage due to the equatorial weather. Strong winds cause tiles to become loose and displaced, heavy rains wear down shingles and ultraviolet rays, as well as heat from the sun, cause thermal expansion. The combination of these elements results in a damaged rooftop. Damages to your landed property rooftop open up the possibility of even further damage to the home if left untreated. Performing routine checks of your roof will ensure you catch these signs of damage early before repairs become too costly. One key sign of leaky roof and roof damage is the presence of water stains that extend across your ceilings or running down walls. Ideally, a roof should be inspected once every 6 months to ensure the integrity of the roof is intact.

Here are 3 common areas to inspect on your rooftop:

1. Roof Gutters

Found along the edge of your roof, gutters provide a means for rainwater to be directed away from your home and the foundation. Properly built gutter systems reduce water and moisture damage to your homes. Gutters prevent water pooling & damage to your roof, buildup of moisture in windows that cause condensation to sills or interior walls and reducing water pooling along the building's foundation that can cause spurring erosion or foundation damage.

Common causes of clogged or blocked gutters due to leaves and other debris can cause damage to your building's exterior. These issues may not require a professional as one can simply remove the blockage by hand. However, gutter seams and joints are where leaks typically present themselves. A professional should assist you with repairing these leaks to ensure full water protection.

Be sure to clear any blockages you find along the gutter to ensure rainwater flow is not obstructed.

2. Roof Shingles

Over time, roof shingles can peel, crack or become damaged due to harsh UV rays, rain, wind and other debris that may fall on the roof. Common types of damage that occur to roof shingles are granule loss or flaking, cupping, cracking, curling and blistering. Granule loss or flaking occurs when the top layer of your roofing material deteriorates. Cupping damage is when the roof shingle curls upwards into the shape of a cup, it occurs when a roof is not properly ventilated or simply the age of the roof. Cracking occurs due to drying out of the roof shingle, high-speed winds which shift the shingle and temperature changes. Blistering occurs due to excessive heat which is exacerbated by improper roof ventilation. Severe blistering may result in the need to replace the entire roof hence it should be repaired early. Curling damage occurs when the edges of roof shingles curl up, similarly, this is caused by improper ventilation. Curling can be solved by applying a sealant to the areas that are curled. If you find any signs of peeling, cracking or visible damage on the roof shingle, replace it immediately with the help of a professional to prevent it from allowing water damage to occur to the rest of the home.

3. Roof Flashing

The roof flashing is meant to help prevent water from getting under the shingles. Flashings are crucial to prevent leaks into the building as they protect some of the most vulnerable parts of your roof, any damage to flashing is cause for concern. When roof flashing has cracks or is bent upward, water from external sources such as rain is able to run inside to the roof seams causing further damage. This poses an especially large problem during heavy rains. The flashing is typically made of steel or aluminium and may rust or become damaged over time. Common reasons for roof flashing damage are poor installation of the flashing, poor repair jobs, human error due to accidental damage such as stepping on the flashing, wear & tear due to exposure to weather. Perform visual inspections for signs of rust or puncture in the roof flashing.

Contact Hydro-Seal Engineering

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