Your roof has a big job to do when it comes to protecting your home, family, and assets from the unpredictable weather of Colorado. This year we have seen several areas of Northern Colorado hit hard by hail, leaving many homes vulnerable to damage. Whether it be hail damage, wind damage, or wear and tear over time, a leaky roof presents a considerable threat to your house and budget. Small leaks right now can leave your home open to costly damage down the road, such as mold and water damage. This is why roof waterproofing is vital for protecting your house.

Roof Waterproofing During Installation

A quality contractor will pay special attention to detail when it comes to roof waterproofing during the installation of your roof. Make sure you work with a reputable, local contractor who has been working in your area for at least five years. For the roof installation, make sure that they install all of the following: Drip Edge, Ice And Water Shield, and Roofing Felt (Underlayment)

Drip Edge

Drip edge acts as a barrier on the edge of your roof to protect water from making its way underneath your roofing material and behind your gutters. It is a metal sheet, bent at 90 degrees, and installed at the edge of your roof over the gutters, to protect the edges of your roof from water damage and rot. Drip edges are installed after your old roofing material has been torn off, and your roof decking has been inspected, and repaired if need be.

Ice And Water Shield

Ice and water shield acts as an extra layer of protection from leaks at the most vulnerable points of your roof. It is the first row installed over the gutter, as well as in the roof valleys (where two sections of roof come together), and around chimneys, vents, and pipes. Make sure your contractor does not skip this very important step in the roof waterproofing process.

Synthetic Underlament (or roofing Felt)

Underlayment acts much in the same way as ice and water shield. However, it is installed over the entire roof, protecting against leaks. This is the first step of waterproofing before your new shingles are installed.

Hidden Roof Leaks

An important step of the roof waterproofing process for your home is to have a professional inspection done after heavy storm damage, such as hail. Even in the absence of obvious leaks (such as water stains on your ceiling, or a bucket placed in your kitchen to catch drips during rainstorms), leaks can still be present. These hidden leaks are the most dangerous, as they can leave your siding, walls, windows, and roof decking open to water damage.

If your neighborhood has suffered a hail storm in the past 12 months, make sure that you schedule your free professional hail inspection this week! A leak in your roof may not necessarily warrant an entire roof replacement. A professional inspection will determine what course of action will be best for your roof and budget, whether that be a new roof, or a simple leak repair.

Click here to use an interactive hail map to choose your Colorado city, as well as a date range, and see whether your neighborhood has been hit by hail within the past year.