April showers are a part of life here in New England. But that does not mean that a homeowner has to suffer through leaks, drips and sagging gutters every time the skies open up.
Spring rains are great for flowers and lawns, but can also expose damage that has been done to your roofing system during the past winter. The indications might not be obvious at first, but as the frequency and volume of rainfall increases, you may begin to notice signs that you have a problem with your roof. Here’s what to look for:
On the inside
- Look for stains on the ceiling, particularly along the outside edge where the ceiling meets the wall, and in corners. This may indicate a leak or backed up gutters.
- If a puddle forms from a leak further into a room, that is a sign that the roof has actually been penetrated and there is a serious flow of water entering your home.
- Remember that a leak that appears in one part of your home may have originated quite a distance away. Once inside a trickle of water can travel along joists and framing to show up almost anywhere!
On the outside
- Gutters that overflow, have a leaky trough, or weep at the seams should be cleaned and repaired or replaced.
- Downspouts that are consistently clogged and leaking may not be large enough to handle the flow of water. Considering replacing them with a wider downspout.
- Streaky stains along the exterior walls of your home may be caused by water overflowing from gutters.
- Is there a buildup of mineral grains in gutters? That can indicate eroding shingles, which means less protection and, eventually, failure.
If you see any of these signs on the inside or outside of your home, don’t ignore it. A small problem today can quickly develop into an expensive headache. Call us toll free at (800) 851-0900, or visit our website at //hitechcorp.biz/, to schedule an inspection of your home’s roof and gutter system. We’ll report on the “health” of your roof and make recommendations for restoring its integrity.