This 14 year old roma tile power wash we took on this week was in dire need of a cleaning. The north face also had fir trees fairly close so it had heavy moss and debris as well. With the heavy debris and moss we found that the valleys were packed with silt and debris and in need of a more thorough cleaning. We spent time after cleaning to remove the sediment and silt out of the valleys to allow proper flow. Failure to clean the valleys out properly will lead to leaks. Once the valleys are totally clogged the water will divert around the valley flashing and drain off of the metal onto the felt under payment beneath. We have seen a fair number of catastrophic leaks due to valley blockage. Ideally the homeowner we would also have trimmed the tiles back to create a wider channel down the valley so debris would be less likely to block the valley and it would also facilitate cleaning in the future. Long story short, this roof is now much less likely to have a leaky valley, but we have strongly recommended treatment and blow offs more frequently. We recommend every other year for treatment under normal circumstances and a blow off as needed to prevent the debris from blocking the valley and decomposing in the valley under the tiles.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Northwest Portland Roma Tile Powerwash
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Northwest Portland - Shake blow off, repair and treat.
We completed the maintenance on these roofs last week and they are ready for another 4 years or so. Proper maintenance can lead to a much longer life. We've seen 15 year old shake roofs that are ready to be replaced and 25 year old shake roofs that could last another 10-15 years. We recommend repair and treatment every four years to extend the life the longest.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Lake Oswego Presidential Style Brush Off
www.northwestroof.com
www.facebook.com/northwestroof
503-740-4808 Greater Portland
360-910-8938 Vancouver and SW Washington
Monday, May 20, 2013
Battle Ground flashing metal retro-fit
This home was roofed without drip edge on the gutter to roof intersections and t-metal on the gable ends of any dormers. We recommend metal flashing on all edges on any new roof installation and also recommend a retro-fit on any roof that was originally installed without. Gutter seams will also leak over time as the gutters on this home were beginning to do. We installed the appropriate metal flashing and sealed the leaking joints in the gutter to prevent fascia and under eave damage. Let us take care of your roof needs!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Velux skylight install
Our technicians are skilled in most skylight installs. This specific skylight replacement was in Vancouver, WA and is a little different. Velux skylights have own specific flashing kits depending in the roof type. Have us install your replacement skylight and you won't be disappointed. Call us for a free estimate today!
503-740-4808 Portland Metro
360-910-8938 Southwest WA
www.northwestroof.com
www.Facebook.com/northwestroof
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Lake Oswego Cedar Shake
This week one of the projects we undertook was this Lake Oswego Cedar shake roof. The roof is about 20 years old and has a good number of years left. We power washed this particular roof, but power washing is not always necessary depending on debris and moss levels and condition of the roof. The advantage of power washing is that it restores the color of the shake roof. If preserving the roof is the most important function of any maintenance, we suggest repairs and treatment as the power washing is much more expensive and does put a little more strain on the roof.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Beaverton Shake Home
Shake roofs can have a very unique, rustic appearance and can add character to any home. Properly maintained they can have a very long life expectancy as well, but they are expensive to install and maintain. More frequent, less costly maintenance on your shake roof can prevent much more costly maintenance or even premature replacement costs due to roof failure. The photos shown are of a small, ranch style, shake roof in the Beaverton area that has been sorely neglected. The moss build up in between the shakes and in the leading edge of the shakes can retain water which may cause the felt paper beneath the shakes to rot. If the paper rots then leaks are sure to come. Don't let this happen to one of the biggest investments you make in your home! Take care of your roof.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Happy Valley Tile Cleaning
This Roma tile roof in the Happy Valley area is around 36 years old. Properly maintained it should last a good number more years. Before cleaning the roof had some pretty dark staining and moss accumulation. Note that some of the original color is left on portions of the tile. A good cleaning and treatment and this roof should be good to go for 1-2 years before we suggest treating again. Let us take the worry out of owning a tile roof!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Hazel Dell Moss Removal
Moss, moss and more moss. Roofs in the pacific northwest endure some of the toughest conditions in the nation. Shade, moisture, wind, sun, freezing and more. Routine maintenance is the only way to prevent costly repairs or even premature roof failure! Shown is a ranch style home in the Hazel Dell area that has been neglected for a long while. The roof still has some life, but years have been taken off of this roof due to neglect. If your home has a layer of moss and/or debris, let us take care of it for you. After cleaning we can set up a blow off and treatment schedule that will eliminate the need for another extensive cleaning again. Call us for a free estimate!
www.northwestroof.com
www.facebook.com/northwestroof
360-910-8938 Vancouver and SW Washington
503-740-4808 Greater Portland Metro Area
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Downtown Vancouver - Moss removal and treatment
Are you neglecting your roof? If that's the case then soon enough it WILL neglect you. Moss left on a roof retains moisture, roots deep into the roofing material and shortens the life of your roof. There is good news though. If you get to it sooner than later the life of your roof can be prolonged. Take the roof shown in the pictures. It is about 13 years old and, with proper maintenance, should last 25-30 years depending on the material. If the owner had left the roof in the condition it was in, who knows how long it would have held out. After our experienced and well trained technicians removed the moss and treated the roof it looked great and ready to go. Proper maintenance goes a long way, so don't neglect your roof until it gets a layer like the roof shown. We recommend treating your roof every 1-2 years so a full clean would not be necessary again.
www.northwestroof.com
www.facebook.com/northwestroof
360-910-8938 Vancouver and SW Washington
503-740-4808 Greater Portland Metro
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Vancouver Residential Home
Strangely enough, this 10-15 year old architectural roof is actually in serviceable condition. We brush cleaned and treated this roof on the 13th. Leaving this roof in this condition will shorten the life considerably. The immediate cost of cleaning it off is far less than having to prematurely replace a roof that should have lasted another 7-10 years.
360-910-8938 (Greater Vancouver Area/ SW Washington)
503-740-4808 (Greater Portland Area)
www.northwestroof.com
www.facebook.com/northwestroof
Friday, February 8, 2013
Improperly installed roof at the gable ends.
Call us or visit us online to schedule a free estimate to repair your roof!
503-740-4808
360-910-8938
www.northwestroof.com
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Some problems with vents.
Improperly installed vents can, and will, leak overt time. A properly installed vent is fastened with no fasteners exposed to the elements. If fasteners must be exposed, gasket screws or caulking should be used to prevent leaking. We recommend not installing anything in a fashion that will lead to leaks down the road. Note the improperly placed fasteners in the photo.
Northwest Roof Maintenance
503-740-4808
360-910-8938
www.northwestroof.com
Monday, January 28, 2013
Treat your moss right!
Portland 503-740-4808
Vancouver 360-910-8938
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Off season roof maintenance
www.northwestroof.com
Portland Metro
(503) 740-4808
Vancouver and SW Washington
(360) 910-8938