Generally speaking, you don’t need to replace your roof to reverse storm damage or normal wear and tear. In fact, a few relatively inexpensive repairs can often do the trick.
If you see damage to any of the surface layers, it’s important to act quickly. Waiting will only make the situation worse – and that could cost you big time down the road. To learn more, visit https://rooftopsolarcompany.com/.
Built-up roofing (BUR) is a time-honored solution for flat or low-slope roofs and remains one of the most popular options today. This layered system is puncture-resistant and stands up well in any climate. However, its longevity comes with a trade-off: the many layers can make it difficult to spot and repair issues.
The layers of a BUR roof are built up from different materials, including felt paper, hot asphalt, and tar, reinforced fabric, and protective and weather-resistant surfacing. The layer of surfacing is usually covered in gravel or mineral granules, which offers UV protection and helps manage water runoff.
This surfacing also acts as an insulation layer and provides energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption. Often, this layer is enhanced with an anti-aging or reflective coating to extend its life.
While BUR is a great option for commercial roofs, its complexity makes it less suitable for DIY repairs. A leaking roof can be devastating for any business, and the leaks themselves can be difficult to pinpoint because they penetrate so many layers. To repair a damaged BUR, you’ll need the help of experienced roofing professionals like our in-house crew.
In addition to repairing damage, BUR roofs should be routinely inspected and maintained. This will help to identify and fix small problems before they develop into bigger ones. It’s also much cheaper to perform maintenance on a BUR roof than it is to replace it.
BUR roofs are known for their durability, and the multiple layers and redundant construction provide excellent resistance to wear and tear. This longevity, however, comes at a price: maintenance costs can add up quickly for building owners who don’t budget for it.
With a comprehensive facility management software solution, like Q Ware, you can optimize your BUR’s performance and lifespan by scheduling preventive maintenance with ease. With custom alerts and detailed asset tracking, you can anticipate and plan for all your repair, replacement, and maintenance needs. This way, you can save on costly repairs and minimize your risk of unforeseen disasters. Get started with a free demo of Q Ware to see how our software can transform your facility management process.
Shingles
Asphalt shingles are a common roofing material that lasts around 30 years, depending on the climate and style of the roof. Like any other surface, shingles can suffer from weather damage that requires repairs, especially in high-wind areas. They also age and loosen over time, so regular inspections for surface damage are important. Look for curled or missing shingles, as well as any signs of moisture penetration (water stains in walls and ceilings, musty odors).
Shingles can be repaired fairly easily as long as they aren’t damaged beyond repair. Examine them from a ladder or the ground to check for cracks, tears, missing granules and discoloration. You can apply roofing cement or tar to flatten curling shingles so they lie flat, and replacing any that have lost their protective granule coating will help extend the lifespan of your roof.
Also examine the condition of shingle flashing, the thin metal pieces that line roof valleys and prevent leaks around vents, chimneys, dormers and skylights. If they’re loose or open, they need to be replaced promptly to prevent water damage.
If you decide to do the work yourself, be sure to take all the necessary safety precautions. Don’t go onto the roof alone, and wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent slipping and falling. It’s best to start with the most obvious repairs, and work your way around the roof. Before beginning any work, make a list of what tools you’ll need, and read up on how to complete the specific task at hand. Make sure to have all the materials you need before you begin, and don’t rush – doing a job incorrectly can lead to more costly problems. You can find step-by-step instructions for many common roof repairs online or from a home improvement store.
Fascia
Fascia is the layer of thin fibrous connective tissue that wraps around muscles, bones, organs and tendons throughout your body. While scientists originally thought fascia only provided support, it’s now believed that this fascial network plays an important role in movement and movement disorders as well as pain and inflammatory conditions.
While researchers don’t agree on a definitive definition of fascia, most scholars divide fascia into three layers. The superficial layer is a “whole loose layer of subcutaneous tissue lying superficial to the denser deep fascia,” while the deeper fascia is a “dissectible aggregation of connective tissue that surrounds, attaches, encloses and separates muscle and other internal organs.”
This fascial network consists of a series of interconnected sheaths with different characteristics and properties. For example, aponeurotic fascia forms sheets of pearly-white fibrous tissue to attach muscles that require a broad area of attachment. Epimysial fascia is a sheath that surrounds muscle fibers and can connect directly to the periosteum of bone. Finally, visceral fascia encloses and suspends the organs of the abdomen, chest and lungs.
When fascia is healthy, it’s supple and moves easily with your muscles and bones. But when it becomes tight, you may notice knots in your muscles or joints that won’t release despite stretching or exercise. This is often caused by a condition such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes your collagen to break down.
Tight fascia can also lead to headaches, back pain and neck pain. To help relieve these symptoms, you can try foam rolling or other self-massage techniques like stretching, ice or heat therapy and deep breathing exercises. If these remedies don’t help, you should see your doctor to get them under control.
To keep your fascia supple, exercise regularly, stretch and take breaks at work if you have a desk job. You can even walk meetings or stand during conference calls to get your body moving and help your fascia stay flexible. You can also use a sauna to warm up and relax your muscles. If you do have a fascial injury, doctors can offer treatments that include pain relievers and physical therapy to loosen up the tight fascia.
Gutters
Gutters are a system of troughs attached to a building’s roofline that control the flow and drainage of rainwater. They direct rainwater that slides off shingles into downspouts, which then dispense water onto the ground or into an underground drainage system. Gutters help prevent soil from becoming supersaturated and jeopardizing a house’s foundation.
They also protect siding along a house’s walls by keeping it from being saturated and rotting. Without gutters, moisture settles in and around a house, encouraging mold and mildew growth, and penetrating the wall boards, which can lead to wood rot and structural damage. Gutters also keep downspouts clear so they can drain away from the house, preventing them from overflowing or backing up on the roof.
A gutter’s most important function is to channel water away from the house. When gutters become damaged or clogged, they can’t do this. This can result in flooded basements, leaky ceilings and rotted window sills. It can also promote the growth of moss and lead to insect infestation.
Because a gutter’s function is so crucial, its maintenance is equally important. Professionals clean gutters using ladders and a variety of hand tools that allow them to reach tight spaces, such as the underside of the roof. They also check that the gutters are properly aligned and free of dents or warping.
When cleaning a gutter, workers use tarps to cover any plants or shrubs below the area they’re working on to protect them from falling debris. The team may also use magnetic tools to remove any nails or metal objects from the lawn below the work area. A pro crew should also have a dumpster nearby to dispose of discarded shingles, scrap wood and other materials. Finally, they’ll take care to cover any bare spots of the roof with an ice-and-water barrier (available at roofing supply stores), which should overlap another strip laid down below it at least 2 in. These should be placed over the most leak-prone areas.
