Roof

Homeowner Use and Maintenance Guidelines

The shingles on your roof do not require any treatment or sealer. The less activity your roof experiences, the less likely it is that problems will occur.

Always shovel your roof after heavy snow fall. Roof rakes can be purchased at your local hardware store.

Clean Gutters

Maintain the gutters and downspouts so that they are free of debris and able to quickly drain precipitation from the roof.

Ice Dam - Snow on Roof

On occasion, depending on conditions and exposure, as rising heat from inside your home melts snow on the roof, the water runs down and when it reaches the cold eaves, it may freeze. An accumulation of this type of ice dams the subsequent runoff and the water begins to back up, sometimes working its way up and under shingles, ultimately leading into you home through windows or ceilings. Always shovel your roof after heavy snow fall.

If your home design or orientation makes it vulnerable to this occurrence, you may want to install an electric gutter heater strip in the susceptible areas.

Leaks

If a leak occurs, try to detect the exact location. This will greatly simplify finding the area that requires repair when the roof is dry.

Limit Walking

Limit walking on your roof. Your weight and movement can loosen the roofing material and in turn result in leaks. Never walk on the roof of your home when the shingles are wet—they are slippery.

Severe Weather

After severe storms, do a visual inspection of the roof for damages. Notify your insurance company if you find pieces of shingle in the yard or shingle edges lifted on the roof.

Troubleshooting Tips: Roof Leak

Please keep in mind that roof leaks cannot be repaired while the roof is wet. However, you can get on the schedule to be in line when conditions dry out, so do call in your roof leak.

Confirm the source of the water is the roof rather than from a:

Plumbing leak
Open window on a higher floor
Ice dam
Clogged gutter or downspout
Blowing rain or snow coming in through code required roof vents
Gap in caulking
Where practical, place a container under dripping water.

If a ceiling is involved, use a screwdriver to poke a small hole in the drywall to release the water.

Even if the troubleshooting tips do not identify a solution, the information you gather will be useful to the service provider you call.

Remove personal belongings to prevent damage to them. If damage occurs, contact your homeowner insurance company to submit a claim.

Report the leak to LaMontagne Builder’s, Inc. during first available business hours.