In this column we review roofing rules for Lakewood homes. A good, solid roof protects your home from the weather and helps raise your property's value. Here are a few tips for protecting your "overhead" investment.
Check your roof carefully
Check your roof for wear every two years by getting inside your attic on a sunny day and looking for holes where light is shining through. With a shake roof, small rays of sunlight are normal; the shakes normally expand when they get wet, filling any gaps. With a composition shingle roof, gaps are more serious.
After checking the attic, carefully climb on to the roof to look for missing or worn shingles. Take extra precautions not to damage what may be a fragile roof.
If most of your wood shakes are badly split, chances are you need a new roof. Composition roofs need to be replaced when most of the shingles have curled or a large number are missing their covering of small pebbles. While you’re up there, make sure that the metal flashings around the eaves and drainpipes are tight against the surface.
Before you call a contractor
Generally, you can lay down a replacement composition shingle roof over an existing roof. You’ll need a building permit to cover the first roof with a second layer. If you plan to cover two layers of shingles with a third layer, you’ll need a building permit and review by the Building Section for structural safety. Any further reroofing requires the removal of all the existing roofing material down to the rafters.
If you need a new roof, first pick up a free booklet from the city hall Building Counter, called What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor, which offers hundreds of tips on finding a reputable contractor and getting your job done right.
Skylights and attic vents
It's difficult even for professionals to install a skylight perfectly, so the project often leads to roof leaks that can be hard to pinpoint and repair. Homeowners who want a skylight need a building permit and inspections from the city's Building Section to ensure that their skylight is installed safely.
Homeowners also should be cautious about rotary attic vents. Rotary vents are globe-shaped, metal pieces with fans inside that are installed on a roof to draw heat from an attic. Homeowners need a building permit and inspection when installing this type of vent.
If you have questions about any home improvement project, call Lakewood’s Building Section at 866-9771 or use our online customer service forms. We can advise you on the requirements of your project and offer tips and booklets to help you get the job done right.
