Roof Maintenance Plan in Hempstead, NY

Why check before winter and after storms?

Because the two seasons do the most damage to a roof on Long Island. Winter ice and the storms of the season test the flashing, the eave and the covering, and the checks find the faults those seasons create.

Winter brings ice and snow, and the freeze and thaw cycle opens small gaps in the sealant and the flashing. The ice dam risk named for the area depends on the eave, the gutters and the attic. A check before winter finds the faults before the freeze.

Storms bring wind and rain, and a storm can lift shingles or open a joint without any visible sign. A check after a storm finds the damage while the repair is still small.

What does a visit usually cover?

The covering, the flashing at each penetration, the valleys, the gutters and downspouts, the eave and the attic. The visit follows the note from the last check.

The visit starts with the parts listed in the last note, then moves to the rest of the roof. The covering is checked for lifted or cracked shingles, and the flashing is checked at each opening and the chimney. The gutters and the downspouts are checked for sag and blockage.

The attic is checked for stains, damp insulation and ventilation, and the eave is checked for ice risk. Each finding is recorded in the note.

• Covering: lifted, cracked or missing shingles
• Flashing at vents, skylights and the chimney
• Gutters and downspouts for sag and blockage
• Attic for stains and damp insulation

What can the homeowner do between visits?

Check the parts listed in the note after each storm, keep the gutters clear and report any change with the date and place.

A homeowner can walk the perimeter after a storm and look for shingles on the ground, a sagging gutter or a new stain on the wall. Keeping the gutters clear of leaves and debris helps the water run away from the house.

Report any change to the roofer with the date, the place and a photograph where possible. The next visit starts from the report, so the information is useful.

Is a maintenance plan worth it for an older roof?

Usually yes. An older roof has more joints and more wear, and the checks find the faults before they spread into the decking and the attic.

An older roof has more places where a fault can start, and each fault is more likely to spread into the decking and the attic if it is not found. The checks are the cheapest way to keep the roof dry, and they give the homeowner a clear picture of the roof's condition over time.

A plan also helps decide when a replacement is needed. The notes show whether the repairs are getting more frequent, which is a sign the covering has reached the end of its life.

What the plan does not do

It does not prevent storm damage, and it does not decide an insurance claim. It finds faults early and records the roof's condition.

No plan prevents every storm damage. A plan finds faults before they grow, and it records the roof so that damage can be separated from wear. It does not decide any insurance claim, and it does not guarantee the roof will last.

The homeowner should understand those limits, so the plan is used for what it does well: finding small faults and keeping a clear record.

What changes between the first and the second year of a plan?

The first year sets the baseline and fixes the faults found. The second year compares the roof with the baseline, so the changes in the flashing, the covering and the attic show clearly.

The first visit sets the baseline and the repairs that are needed. The second year compares each part of the roof against that baseline, and the note shows the changes. A part that has worn at the same rate is expected, and a part that has changed faster is a sign of a problem that needs attention.

Over several years the plan shows the trend of the roof. A homeowner who sees repairs becoming more frequent knows the covering is nearing the end of its life, and can plan the replacement with the evidence in hand.

What does a plan look like across a year?

A pre-winter visit, a post-storm visit after each significant storm, and a record visit once a year. The schedule is written into the plan on the first visit, so both sides know when each visit is due.

A typical year starts with the pre-winter visit in the autumn, which checks the flashing, the gutters, the eave and the attic before the cold sets in. Post-storm visits follow any significant storm during the season, and the note from each one is added to the record. A record visit once a year brings the whole file up to date.

The schedule is agreed on the first visit and written into the plan. A homeowner who knows the dates can keep the parts to watch in view, and the roofer can plan the crew for each visit in advance.