Your roof is an integral part of your home and protects it from the elements. Yet, many homeowners take an “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” approach to roof maintenance, which can lead to costly problems down the road.
Issues like leaks clogged gutters, damaged shingles and flashing, and even chimney damage and pest infestations require prompt attention to mitigate structural damage. A good Ellingson Roofing LLC company can check the roof for you.
Leaks
There is nothing more devastating to a home’s roofing system than leaks. They can lead to severe structural damage, mold problems, and even rot inside the house. Luckily, this is one problem that’s relatively easy to address if you catch it in time.
Leaks can be caused by several different issues, but the most common are broken or missing shingles, flashing, and membranes. If your roof has any of these issues, you should schedule a repair right away to avoid further damage to your structure and belongings.
To identify the source of a leak, first look for flow stains in your ceiling. Then, go to your attic and use a hose to soak the areas where you see stains. Then, move the hose uphill and repeat the process until you find the source of the leak. This method is particularly useful for locating leaks that develop around roof penetrations, such as plumbing or roof vents, chimneys, and dormers.
Another common cause of roof leaks is a poorly installed roof. It’s important to hire a professional who follows installation instructions and takes pride in their work. Otherwise, nail holes in the roof will leak through the shingle and into your house.
Additionally, leaks often develop in areas where the roof meets an exterior wall. This is because the freeze-thaw cycle causes water to seep under the shingles and into the gap. Then, when the ice melts, it can leak out of the hole and into your home.
Finally, a common issue that can be difficult to diagnose is poor ventilation in the roof. If the roof doesn’t have enough vents, it will have a hard time keeping humidity levels down. This can also lead to moisture buildup in the attic, which leads to mold and rot. Fortunately, this is usually easy to address by adding additional vents or installing roof insulation. By taking these steps, you can prevent the most common roofing issues and protect your home from serious damage.
Damaged Shingles
Shingles are a common part of roofing systems, but they can also be the source of problems. Damaged shingles can allow moisture to seep into the roof, causing water leaks and mold build-up. These issues can lead to further damage to the truss rod, sheathing, and rafters in the home.
Among the most noticeable issues that affect asphalt shingle roofs is shingle curling, characterized by edges that turn upward or downward. This condition can be caused by several factors, including aging, poor ventilation, and improper installation. This issue can cause serious structural problems for your roof and should be addressed by a professional.
Another common shingle problem is granule loss, in which the top layer of the shingle detaches from the bottom layer and falls off. This can be caused by several environmental factors, including severe storms and insufficient roof maintenance. This is an indication that the shingle needs to be replaced.
Other types of shingle damage include creasing, flipping, and tearing. These occur due to exposure to wind pressures, which can cause the factory-applied adhesive to fail. This causes the shingle to uplift, crease, and flip, or break off entirely.
If you notice these problems, the first step is to evaluate the area where the shingles are damaged. A thorough inspection can help determine whether the shingles need to be replaced or not. For instance, a crack or tear in a shingle can often be repaired with roofing sealant rather than replacing the entire shingle.
When addressing shingle damage, you will need to safely access the roof with a ladder. You will then need to use a pry bar or shingle removal tool to loosen the adhesive strips and nails beneath the damaged shingles. As you work, be careful not to disturb the surrounding shingles, as this can lead to further damage and moisture leaks in the future. Once the nails and adhesive are loosened, you can pull up the damaged shingle and re-attach it with new shingles. Be sure to re-adhere the corners of the new shingles, using the same method.
Damaged Flashing
With the weather warming up, landlords are preparing to take care of some common roofing issues. Getting these problems checked out in advance can help prevent costly repairs and structural property damage.
One of the most common issues is a leaking roof. This can be caused by many factors, including age, poor installation, and severe weather conditions. When left untreated, a leak can cause significant water damage and mold growth within the home.
Leaks are often difficult to detect, and it is important for homeowners to be vigilant and regularly inspect their roofs for signs of leaking. It is recommended to look for areas of discoloration in the attic, as well as dampness or mold around chimneys and where the roof meets the walls.
The most common reason for a leaking roof is damaged flashing. This is a thin strip of metal that is installed around chimneys, vents, skylights, and dormers, as well as in roof valleys and corners. Its primary purpose is to create a watertight seal and direct rainwater away from vulnerable points of the roofing materials. If the flashing is damaged, it can allow water to penetrate and cause leaks throughout the home.
Damaged flashing is usually caused by extreme weather conditions, improper installation, or aging. It is also common for flashing to become loose or even completely missing due to weather exposure and metal corrosion. If a roof is showing signs of moisture intrusion, it is important to contact a professional roof repair specialist immediately.
Another common issue is a clogged gutter, which can also lead to drainage problems and leaks in the roof. The most common culprits for a clogged gutter are leaves and debris that fall into the gutter during storms. It is recommended to clean out the gutters at least twice a year to remove any buildup of debris and keep them flowing properly.
Other common causes of a clogged gutter include bird droppings, squirrel nests, and tree limbs. It is important to keep trees trimmed and avoid any branches that hang over the roof, as they can scrape and wear down the shingles, which may result in leaks.
Poor Ventilation
Probably the most common roofing issue that many homeowners overlook is poor ventilation. If your home doesn’t have adequate airflow through the attic space, a whole host of problems can develop.
Poor attic ventilation allows moisture to get trapped in the attic space and leads to issues like mold, mildew, and wood rot. This can ruin stored items, damage the structure of the roof, and even cause health issues for homeowners and their families.
It also causes the shingles to buckle and curl, which isn’t a good look. This is why a roof inspection is such an important step in the building process and should be done by a qualified roofer.
In addition to moisture, insufficient ventilation can also lead to ice dams. These are a result of snow melting in the center of your roof, running down toward the gutters, and then freezing as it reaches the edges of your roof. When this happens, it traps moisture under the shingles and erodes the underlayment and shingle material.
The lack of proper attic ventilation can also cause sagging and warping in the attic. This can lead to the need for an entirely new roof system. If you notice any signs of this, you should have a roofer assess the situation as soon as possible to prevent further damage and potential safety hazards.
A poorly ventilated attic can also allow pests to gain entry into your home, which isn’t a great thing for anyone. Mice, raccoons, squirrels, and termites can all build nests in your attic and cause further damage to the roof and materials around it. The acid in their excrement can deteriorate the shingles and lead to more problems.
Proper ventilation is a very important part of the overall roofing system. It keeps the attic space cool in the summer and improves indoor comfort while extending the life of the roof, air conditioning unit, and heater. If you’re noticing these or other problems, you should contact a roofer and ask for a ventilation inspection. A roofing company that specializes in roof repair and installation can help you determine if the problem is with your ventilation system or something else.