How does a wooded lot wear the covering?
A branch that moves in the wind rubs the covering at one spot and wears the granules away. A limb that rests on the roof can crack a tile or lift a shingle at the edge, and the damage grows slowly until the first heavy storm finds it.
The technician marks each contact point and records the covering's condition under each. The owner is advised to have an arborist assess the branches, since the roof crew does not cut trees.
How is the shade's moisture handled on the roof?
Shade keeps the north faces of a roof wet, and moss and staining show there first. The moss is cleaned gently with a soft brush, since a hard brush or a strong jet strips the granules and leaves the covering less able to shed water.
The sheathing beneath the worst areas is checked from the attic for softness and dark marks, and any soft board is replaced before the covering is repaired.
What does an old chimney in the town need?
Many chimneys in the foothills are older masonry, and their mortar has often cracked at the flashing line. The technician checks the joint, repoints where it has failed and re-sets the counterflashing so the joint sheds water.
A chimney that needs more than repointing is referred on, and the owner is told plainly. The record notes the condition so a later visit can compare it.
How are the gutters beneath the trees cleared each year?
Gutters beneath Saratoga's trees fill with leaves and needles in the autumn, and the debris holds water against the channel. A clear run in the autumn runs clear in the first storm, while one left until winter overflows at its low point.
The technician clears each run, tests it with water and notes any section that needs re-hanging. The routine is written on the scope so the owner knows when to clear the gutters again.
The technician notes the trees that drop the most debris and marks those runs on the plan, so the owner knows where the clearing should begin.
