Devon Jackson
The roof of your home is just as crucial as the offensive lineman on a football field. For those who don’t know the game, these mostly anonymous people serve to guard the quarterback. The people only notice them when the QB has been sacked or there is an offensive breach. Similarly, people tend to only notice their roofs once they begin to leak and the water begins pouring in through the ceiling. In Northern New Mexico the monsoons season begins in late July and continues until early august. During this time, unpredictable afternoon rainstorms bring heavy rains including to your Santa Fe roof.
Now is not the time to ignore your roof. It’s not too late for a roofer to perform a routine maintenance or even to become acquainted with your roofer, even though they will likely be very busy in the monsoon.
The Roofs Here Are Different
Given what roofs have to endure and do, they do an excellent job at protecting what lies beneath them. The 7,000-foot altitude of Northern New Mexico means that roofs have to endure two extremes. Precipitation (snow and rain), as well as heat (drier, hotter heat).
On an average summer day it is often sunny with temperatures around 80°. However, the roof can get up to temperatures of 120-140 degrees. The temperature drops at night to around 60 degrees, and the roof can reach temperatures of up to 80. Pat Garcia of Sangre de Cristo Roof, which was established in 2019, explains that this expansion-contraction process of roof materials is what leads to a slow leak.
Hillary McPartlon runs McPartlon Roof, which her father Brian and brother Kevin founded in 1985. Brian McPartlon bought Kevin out of the business in 1993. Hillary became CEO in 2018. The fluctuations, she says are “so drastic” and that can wear out a roofing system.
When identified in the early stages, this type of wear and tear is easily repaired. Garcia said that “damage will increase” if not taken care of. In our high-altitude, the sun damages roofing without UV protection coatings. This causes them to degrade and worsen over time. If you wait until the leak is present to have it checked, or for someone to do maintenance on your roof, this could lead to a costly mistake.
ROOFING: LEARN ALL YOU CAN
You should be familiar with your roof system as a homeowner. Southwest Spray Foam & Roofing’s founder Matt Segura states that this climate zone tests flat roofs more than any other place in the United States. The effects of snow, hail and rain can be devastating over the years. An excavation may be necessary to solve these problems.
McPartlon says that ladders are involved in 81 per cent of all home accidents. After you have reached the top, inspect your roof for signs of damage.
Age and roof shape also play a major role. Garcia says that the different kinds of roofing systems will determine its lifespan. If it is installed properly it can last up to 30 years.
You should also call a professional roofer even if the roof does not leak.
Segura suggests paying special attention to:
The Canales
The Skylights
Windows and doors
It is the point at which a roof enters, intersects with a wall, ends or meets another surface, like plumbing vents and electrical conduits.
Your roof canales are an integral part of it. McPartlon says if you don’t maintain them, the sun will damage them. Many people overlook that the wood needs to be painted, or stained. They can start to fail if you don’t paint or seal them.”
Plastic cement is not recommended for roofs in Northern New Mexico unless the roofer has experience. McPartlon says he is not a huge fan because the product doesn’t hold up very well. He also serves on two National Roofing Contractors Association Committees. The product has lower VOCs but doesn’t have a long shelf life for those who care about the environment.
McPartlon has not been impressed by TPO (thermoplastic Polyolefin) which is a one-ply three-layer membrane for flat roofing. The material is vulnerable to damage from hail, UV rays, and other factors. McPartlon claims this system does not perform well in the climate she lives in. The material can also be easily damaged when someone wears boots with sharp corners, which results in unseen holes.
She doesn’t also like coatings. It’s similar to applying Band-Aids on an artery that has been broken, she says. Membranes with asphalt or modified bitumen are more flexible and can adapt to temperature fluctuations.
Segura says that it is not necessary to replace the roof every time. It could be a skylight that is leaking. A $200 roof repair is much cheaper than a $25,000. A homeowner or maintenance crew can perform this kind of repair.
Segura suggests that you hire someone to examine your roof each time there is a rain or sleetfall, if this is not where you live full-time.
FACILITATE YOURSELF WITH THE ROOFER
Most roofing problems are related to roofs. . . Roofers is where it gets complicated. Hiring a certified roofing contractor now will help you avoid major roof repairs in the future. Segura suggests that “it is important to develop a relationship with roofers, and especially one who’s certified,” as well as to create a schedule for maintenance.
Also, he recommends keeping the same roofing company or roofer, so they are familiar with your roof history.
Garcia recommends taking proactive action rather than reacting. Waiting until the leak occurs will require you to involve your insurance company, and you may have to do interior repairs. This is definitely more costly.
McPartlon reports that “most people do not use patches until there is an urgent situation.” “But patches cannot be guaranteed.”
The majority of roofers will be booked by then. Segura says, “often, the customer is frustrated because they cannot get back to them.” If you’ve already signed a contract, the roofer will be more responsive and likely to offer assistance.
Garcia says “we are able to extend the lifespan of an existing roofing system, which can save you thousands or even tens and thousands of dollars.”
Raising the roof beams high is recommended
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