In New York City weather, climate and temperature is unpredictable as it has sudden change in weather and climate like heavy rain, heavy wind, hail, sudden or seasonal storms and lots of other sudden changes in climate. That all brings so many changes and damages to different properties whether your property is in Manhattan or Brooklyn or you have any subburden home or property on the island. So it is very important and crucial to follow a roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC, inspect all the problems and damages because after heavy rain in New York City there are so many damages to inspect and repair you can inspect on your own or you can contact any professional or certified contractor and hire them. There are several varieties and types of damages which heavy rain brings that require immediate roof damage repair after a heavy rain.
Why there is a need of Inspection and maintenance after heavy rain in NYC;
New York has a very severe weather of heavy rain which can bring lots of changes and damages like water damage and leaks, shorten the lifespan of roofs and property, mold and mildew and lots of others which all needs to inspect and maintain properly and on time to avoid any type of severe damage and much more maintenance cost. On time inspection and maintenance matters because heavy rain makes the roof and property vulnerable. So timely inspection helps in prevents leaks and water damages to roof or internal pipes, it extend the lifespan of roofs and property when properly checked and maintain, avoid any kind of structural damage, mold and mildew, it maintain the compliances of property in New York City according to the requirements of insurance companies and property code. Following the roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC ensures these checks are done thoroughly.
Checklist of Roof Inspection after Heavy Rain;
Because heavy rain makes property and roof vulnerable, there is a need for some quick actions and inspections. Here we have a step-by-step roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC, which covers:
- Document the Inspection
- Check of Roof Exterior Surface
- Roof Penetration
- Interior and Attic Ceiling
- Structural Inspection
- Fleshing and Seals
- Gutter and Downspots
- Drainage System
Document the Inspection:
Right after the heavy rainfall the first thing we have to do is to record each and every step. Inspect very carefully every single step from exterior to interior of all property, make a list and keep record, take photos, note the date and weather condition because it is all very necessary for insurance companies if there is a mention in their policies and conditions. This step is part of the roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC to ensure nothing is missed.
Check of Roof Exterior surface:
Flat roofs need to inspect its ponding water when there is no drainage after 48 hours, any leakage of water, inspect for missing, curled and lifted roof shingles and in membrane roof connections like PVC, EPDM, TPO punters, blisters and membrane separations.
Roof Penetration:
Instant need of inspection right after heavy rainfall in New York City of roof penetration needs inspection of HVAC unit system, pipes of outer and under ground, solar panel and satellite mount. There is sealant around these penetration, inspection of the movement of all these sealant around penetration also is very crucial as mentioned in the roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC.
Interior and Attic Ceiling:
There is a need for inspection and check of the attic for damp insulation, signs of mold and condensation. Inspection of ceiling and walls of stains of water and bubble paint signs.need of deep inspection for that use meter if needed to check hidden problems and signs.
Structural Inspection:
There is an instant and timely need of a roof deck looking for the sign of sagging or bending. Inspect parapet walls for cracks and for moister seepage. Must check the loose material of the roof that may be blown away. Structural inspection is an important part of the roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC.
Fleshing and Seals:
To avoid rust and detachment there is need to inspect fleshing around chimneys, vents and skylight. Need to look for deteriorated caulking and sealant. There is a need to avoid any severe damage, examine gaps and cracks.
Gutter and Downspots:
Inspect the gutter to confirm and clean it from leaves and debris. There is a chance of overflow or leaks during heavy rainfall so check and inspect the flow or leaks sign. Confirm the downspout connection security and the direction of water from the foundation. Gutter inspection is an essential part of the roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC.
Drainage System:
By heavy rain fall there is a chance of blockage of drains by debris, so need to inspect carefully.inspect scuppers and internal drain and look for water backing up near the edges.
There is chart of Roof inspection for Home owners of NYC;
Area of Inspection | What to inspect | Required Action |
Interior Ceiling and Attic | Sagging Insulation, water stains and Molds | Dry, Repair and clean |
Documentation | Notes, Photo And estimated Cost | Store in home maintenance file |
Structural Integrity | Cracked Parapets and Sagging Roof Deck | Instant professional needs to hire and inspection |
Roof Penetration | Loose Fixtures and cracked Sealant | Tighten and reseal fixtures |
Drainage System | Pooled water and clogged drains | Clear test for flow |
Roof Surface | Membrane bubble,Ponding, missing and damage Shingles | Replace and repair as needed |
Gutter and Downspouts | Rust, separation, overflow and blockage | Replace, clean and repair |
Flashing and Seals | Cracked caulk,lifted edges and rust | Re-flash and re-seal |
Here are some basic tools which are used in Maintaining the Roofs in NYC;
Here we have some list of some tools and equipments which are necessary to use in the maintenance of roofs in New York City,
- Caulking gun with roofing sealants
- Inspection checklist
- Ladder
- Moisture meter
- Roofing pack kit
- Flashlight
- Camera and smart phone
Why there is need of contact and hire a professional or certified contractor for roof inspection and maintenance;
To get a professional services and deep inspection of any problem which comes after heavy rainfall in new york city there is a need of professional roofer when to deal with severe problems like when there are large and repeated leaks, structural deformities like sagging or collapsed decking, electrical hazards from water exposure, visible mold and indoor water damage, damaged roofing material beyond DIY repair and one more thing that you should must ensure that your roofer is licensed by NYC department of worker and consumer protection and must carry proper insurance, when to hire or contract.
Some practices for New York City Home Owners should do;
Here we have list of some practices which NYC home owners should do to avoid from any severe damages like schedule sami annual roof inspection using a roof inspection checklist after heavy rain in NYC, should install leak detection system in critical areas specially co ops and in multi family units, ensure compliance with local law inspection which can overlap with roof integrity and keep roof access clear and secure especially with emergency repair.
FAQS;
How soon should we inspect our roofs after heavy rainfall in New York City?
It is very necessary to get inspection and maintenance after heavy rainfall as soon as possible within 24 to 48 hours to catch early symptoms and problems like water leakage and damages, ponding and other leaks.
What should we do if we inspect any leakage after rain?
When we inspect and leakages in homes or on roofs after rain immediately contact the roofer or contractor to maintain properly before going for severe problems.
Which Roofing materials are best in NYC’s climate and weather?
Architectural asphalt shingles for slope roofing and EPDM and TPO for flat roofs are considered to be the best materials for roofs which increase durability and resistance to heavy rain, wind and other climate changes.
What is ponding water and why is it so harmful?
Remaining water of rain which remains on a flat roof for more than 48 hours is called ponding water. It can be harmful as it creates leaking of water, degrades roofing material and causes structural issues over time.