let's start by saying that summer is just around the corner, so it's now a good time to do the following( if you are a home owner and you are DIY capable).
Disclaimer: you must observe all possible safety at all times. Do not attempt to do any work that you cannot handle/manage, such as electrical stuff (wiring/re-wiring, etc.) or don't go up to on the roof if you are afraid of heights, etc.
Given that freak wind storms in YVR is becomming a norm during the past decade or so, I'd typically advise folks to do the following when the weather is nice (summer time, dry, etc.)
(1) clean/clear your gutters.
(2) perform a roof top inspection (if possible, DO observe all possible safety and get someone to do it for you if you cannot do so).
- for asphalt shingle type, inspect to see if there's any loss of granules, curling on the edge, etc. Houses built during the past 15yrs or so are usually with 25yr fibreglass-based asphalt shingles, stronger and more durable, but they will eventually become brittle and get blown away during freak wind storms. Short-term fix is to hire a roof leak fixer to patch it for you (only good for 1 or 2 years typical, for if 1 piece of your shingle is bad/worn, you can bet yourself that the rest of them are also on their way "out" and need a complete re-roofing).
- wooden/cedar shingles: these are still somewhat common but becoming quite expensive to fix due to rising cost of decent cedar shingles. Check for severe curling on the shingles, rotten/deteriorated shingles, etc. and get someone to repair. Also: cedar shingles rely on it's natural oil within the wood to provide the much needed weathering protection and aging will make fresh wood to turn dark. DO NOT hire any pressure-washer to pressure-wash them. This will wash away that natural oil within the wood that it relies on to keep it from rotting. Pressure-washing them regularly will lead to premature wear, meaning that a typical cedar shingle roof may reduce their service life to about 1/3rd or 1/5th of the intended service life.
(3) clay type shingles. So long as you don't see any cracks during inspection, you are good. If you see cracks, get someone to replace them for you.
(4)metal roof. Pretty much rot-free but you only have to look for possible screw hole area or interlapping joint issues.
For Asphalt shingles, during inspection, if you find out that some of them do not "stick" to the bottom layer securely, you can buy something called "roof repair " glue, which is essentially liquified asphalt spread in a tube (use caulking gun to squirt it out). It tends to get messy but will get the job done. Wash/clean your hands and tools with mineral spirits.
(5) for flat roof, there are 2 types of sheets done on them. From lower grade(durability) to higher grade as follows: (a) lower grades are usually EPDM or neoprene "stick-ons" with adhesive backing. These are the most common grade that most repair-man or roofers who cannot do "torch-on" type will resort to using. Also: for those who installs/retrofit skylight windows, this is regularly used.
Pros: low cost, easy to apply (handle), quick to do
Cons: lasts very short while before the adhesives begin to lose it's effectiveness, causing leaks along the overlapping seams, joints, etc.
(b) higher end ones uses "torch-on" type by doing EPDM sheet over asphalt. A high-end/commercial grade roofing company usually licensed to do "torch-on", but @ an elevated cost.
Pros: last substantally longer (can go up to 20yrs)
Cons: substantially costlier than that of "stick-on" type.
If you happen to have a low-pitch roof, and/or the roof you have on your bldg is flat-type, then this is the only alternative to go for.
Note: low-pitch roof are roofs that are less than 4:12 (4ft rise for every 12ft run, or around 18 degree angle).
The most exotic flat-roof type actually has pebbles or crushed clay granules over their top to extend their service life, reflects sunlight (and UV), helps with drainage (keeping large debris away), etc.
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More different discussion topics if you folks reply/respond with interest...
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發表於 2016-5-25 18:25
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