Roofing… Done Right!

The storms of Kansas City are coming… Is your roof ready?

Are you sure your roof is ready?

• Kansas Citians live in the most severe weather-prone part of the country. Each year, The Greater Kansas City area averages about 40-60 thunderstorm days. And this is on top of winter storms, intense summer heat, high winds, and other deadly weather impacts.

• You can make sure your home is ready for the weather with Casa Bonita Roofing’s StormReady® program. Call your CBR rep or see the company’s website at www.casabonitaroofing.com for more details about the StormReady® program.

How do you know?

• Hail and high winds• Much of the damage caused by storms in the Midwest comes from hail and high

winds.• Large Hail: The strong rising currents of air within a storm, called updrafts, carry

water droplets to a height where freezing occurs. The resulting ice particles grow in size, finally becoming too heavy to be supported by the updraft, and fall to the ground. Large hailstones can fall at speeds faster than 100 mph. Hail causes nearly $1 billion in property damage in the United States every year.

• Straight-line winds: Straight-line winds are responsible for most thunderstorm wind damage. Winds can exceed 100 mph. One type of straight-line wind is the downburst.

• Downbursts: A downburst is an area of rapidly descending air beneath a thunderstorm. The strong winds usually approach from one direction and may be known as “straight-line” winds. They can, in extreme cases, cause damage equivalent to a strong tornado causing significant damage to some buildings. A downburst greater in size than 2.5 miles is called a macroburst. A downburst smaller than 2.5 miles is called a microburst. Microbursts may be wet or dry.

When was the last time you were up on your roof to inspect it ?

• How Often To Inspect• Although the rule of thumb is to inspect either annually or

bi-annually, it depends on other factors. Checking annually is okay if there have been no extreme weather events in your locale, but it goes without saying that this is generally not the case. Although a bit extreme for the average home owner, it is a good idea to check your roof after a bad wind storm or an unusually harsh winter storm if possible. High winds can damage shingles, causing damage to the interior infrastructure, and large ice buildups can often damage flashing and the roof membrane. Ice buildup in gutters can push up under the edge of the roof, leading to infrastructure damage.

What To Look For

• Just going up on the roof and looking around isn't enough. You will need to look for specific things. Let's look at what needs to be done:

• Check flashings on the roof. Flashings are the metalpieces in a roof that cover interruptions in the roofplane, such as around dormers, chimneys, and ventpipes. If it appears there is damage, fix theseproblems right away, or call a roof contractor andhave them fix problems. Inadequate or faulty flashingwill allow snow meltage to enter the interior, causingnot only infrastructure rot, and mold, but possible damage to interior walls.

What To Look For

• Asphalt roofing materials have a granular surface,much like fine gravel. As the asphalt ages, itbecomes brittle, and these granules will come outover time. If you see a lot of these granules ingutters, chances are the roof is aging. Look forbare spots in asphalt shingles, and inspect closelyfor signs of tearing or warpage. If you noticeshingles curling up, it is time for replacement.

What To Look For

• If your roof has wooden shake or shingles, lookfor signs of dry rot or warpage depending on theclimate of your locale. Know the difference betweenwooden shakes and shingles - shakes are hand-split onat least one face and either tapered or straight.Shingles are sawn and tapered. If an inspectionreveals that approximately one third of the shinglesor shakes have any sign of the above damages, it istime to replace the roof. Never walk on a woodenshake or shingle roof when inspecting.

What To Look For

• A metal roof has a design life of 50 years ifmaintained and properly painted. Metal roofingcomes in galvanized iron or steel, aluminum, copper,and even lead in older homes. Each has its own wearcharacteristics. Look for signs of pitting, rustingand corrosion that can be the natural results ofaging. Look for loose or open seams and joints thatcan lead to leaking. The new Stone Coated Steel offers more than ever before for a metal roofing option.

What To Look For

• Slate, clay tile, and asbestos cement shinglesare high end, but will last the lifetime of thehome if cared for properly. However, they are subject to ice damage in intemperate climates. Because they are so brittle and easily broken, the best way to inspect them is by using binoculars to get a close look at their condition. Check for broken, chipped or missing pieces.

• If you are not capable of climbing to high spaces, call CBR to do the inspection for you. We will do so free of charge, in hopes of getting your business. We also can be scheduled on a bi-yearly basis to come and inspect your roof. In any case, you can inspect a roof quite well using binoculars. Always inspect under eaves and overhangs to look for damage that might indicate water leakage, especially at points of the roof that don't conform to the regular roof plane, such as dormers or skylights. Taking the time to do a thorough inspection on a regular basis will save you a lot of money in the long run.