After a storm off the coast, you may see water stains on your ceiling. Gutters can be prone to overflowing with the first rain. Then there is that kitchen skylight; one has to wonder if it is allowing some moisture in.
You will not be alone in asking these questions. We get calls from homeowners in San Luis Obispo County with precisely those kinds of concerns. Ribas Roofing and Services is a family business out of Atascadero that has been in operation since 2007. We put our experience to work for people on the Central Coast to see their gutters, roofs and skylights are well maintained. For a conversation about what is going on with your home, pick up the phone at (805) 549-4460.
For all that is overlooked, skylights and gutters are also where you will find the most headaches. We will explain why the climate here is such a factor and how things go awry.
Why the Central Coast Is Hard on Skylights and Gutters
It is a milder weather than you find in most places but there are challenges. From Los Osos to Avila the coastal fog makes its way in, salt air comes inland and a winter storm will put down a lot of rain in a hurry. Over the years it takes its toll.
The effects of our climate on gutters and skylights are plain to see:
- Metal fasteners and gutter parts succumb to corrosion from the salt
- The constant moisture and fog are an invitation for debris and moss
- An undersized or clogged gutter is no match for a sudden deluge
- UV rays will dry and crack the seals on a skylight
- Materials have to expand and contract with the temperature changes from day to night
One might think these conditions are benign and let a small matter be. Too often a homeowner does just that and ends up with something more expensive to put right.
Common Skylight Problems
There is nothing like the natural light a skylight provides, yet it is an interruption in the roof surface and any such opening is an opportunity for water to enter.
We come across the following on Central Coast homes:
- Seals around the frame that are failing or have cracked
- Flashing at the junction of the roof and skylight is worn
- Older units with condensation between the panes
- Stains on the ceiling from a leak
- A roof valley full of leaves and other detritus
Most of this can be remedied if you are on top of it. It is much less of an undertaking to reflash or reseal a skylight than to address rot in the roof deck. But allow water to seep in long enough and the scope of the repair will increase. Regular inspection is important for that reason.
Common Gutter Problems
A gutter’s function is straightforward, to carry water off your foundation and roof. You do not have to wait long for the consequences when it is not up to the task.
Around the home you may encounter:
- Leaves, grit and pine needles causing clogs
- Sections of the gutter sagging from the fascia
- Corrosion and rust on metal that has seen better days
- Water running down the walls because the gutters overflowed in a hard rain
- A poor slope and standing water in the channel
- Leaking joints and seams
Water has to go somewhere when a gutter gives out. Frequently it is your siding or the soil next to the house or even the foundation. Erosion and staining are the result, and eventually you have structural issues to contend with. Properly attached and unobstructed gutters are a form of protection for the whole property.
When to Call a Professional
A homeowner may feel at ease with some gutter clearing on a dry afternoon. Inspecting the flashing on a skylight requires getting up on the roof and we would not advise you to make a habit of it.
An inspection by a pro will nip problems in the bud. As a GAF Certified company, we provide our services in roofing, gutters and skylights to homes in Paso Robles, Templeton, the Five Cities and Santa Margarita. Daniel Ribas, who has been in the construction trade since 1995, is hands on with our operations every day so you are in good hands with someone who knows these homes.
Do not put it off until the next storm and hope for the best if you have a leaking skylight or underperforming gutters. Contact us at (805) 549-4460 for an estimate at no charge and to set up an inspection. We will be glad to come by and help you put your mind at ease.