Some roofing problems can be easier to spot than others
Since the roof protects your house from outdoor elements, such as blistering heat and heavy snowstorms, a proper roofing system should be able to handle any conditions. Roofing problems, however, are bound to happen, and leaving damage unattended can lead to severe and costly issues that could affect the integrity of the entire house if not repaired.
The best way to ensure that a roofing problem does not become a serious and costly repair down the road is to learn more about potential issues. That way, you will notice any problems and address them immediately.
Poor or improper attic ventilation can cause excess heat buildup in your attic. It could also damage the sheathing and deteriorate the shingles, leading to roof failure. A few things can cause improper ventilation, including:
Having a ridge vent and spray foam insulation
Having a ridge vent on a hip and ridge roof where you should have an attic fan
Having an attic fan and a ridge vent
Having a ridge vent when you should have an attic fan
Having too many intake areas (gable vents, soffit vents, etc.)
Poor ventilation causes moisture to accumulate in your attic, raises the internal temperature of your home, and leads shingles to blister and crack. In the winter, it can contribute to ice dams, which may cause structural and safety issues.
If there is concern about roof ventilation, have a contractor come out to investigate. If improper ventilation is identified, they can fix the issue before further damage is done to the roof or home.
Whether tiles were poorly installed, shingles were broken, or other materials flew off in a storm, once roofing materials get damaged or displaced, it compromises the integrity of a roof and causes many problems. Even a high-quality, perfectly installed roof wears over time and becomes damaged because of climate conditions. Some roof accessories do not last as long as shingles and need to be replaced partway through the roof's lifespan.
Underestimating the importance of your shingles is a common rookie roofing mistake. While damaged or curling shingles may not seem like an emergency, they expose your roof to weather conditions and make it more susceptible to damage. The longer damaged shingles go unfixed, the more likely you will experience problems that go deeper than the surface, such as rotting sheathing.
Do not delay calling a local roof professional when you first notice any damaged or missing roofing materials. The sooner those issues are addressed, the less opportunity for them to escalate into an emergency.
After a downpour or snowstorm, standing water on your roof can lead to mold or mildew, which affects roofing material and causes leaks or structural damage. If your roof has any small penetrations or weak areas, standing water can seep through and cause a leak. This issue is more common on flat roofs, though it is important for every roof style to have proper drainage. Stagnant water can also cause ice dams that lead to soffit or fascia board rotting, spreading to the rest of the roof. This is one way to end up getting pests and birds on your roof.
Routine roof maintenance will help lessen the chances of leaks and water damage issues. Make sure to schedule routine maintenance or have a professional contractor check the roof if there is any concern.
Roof leaks are common and can occur for many reasons, such as insufficient insulation, improper ventilation, ice dams, worn pipe boots, or inadequate installations. If you see water running down your walls, the reason is probably a leaking roof. Look for roof leak signs, such as water stains or mildew. Once you see a leak, the best you can do is fix it immediately to minimize the damage. If left untreated, roof leaks can cause extensive (and expensive) damage, as well as structural problems. At the first sign of any type of roof leak, call a roof repair professional to conduct a comprehensive inspection.
Flashing is made of weatherproof plastic, aluminum, or steel. It is installed in the weakest areas of your roof to protect creases on fixtures and connections, such as chimneys or skylights, which helps to keep awkward areas sealed for leak prevention.
If flashing material breaks or cracks, connections become vulnerable to water and moisture. Flashing needs to be properly attached and secured; otherwise, you may experience problems. Damaged flashing needs to be addressed immediately and repaired or replaced by a roof repair professional.
Hiring inexperienced or poorly qualified roofing professionals can cost you more money in the long run. Poorly installed roofs are among the most common reasons for mold, short life expectancy, and long-term complications. While you may save some money upfront, taking this risk can lead to complex problems. It is best to hire a top roofing contractor to install your roof professionally, since this can be a dangerous project without direct experience.
Pro tip: Try to find out who is actually performing the roof installation. Maybe the sales rep that sells you on the roof is great and knowledgeable, but their team is not. Perhaps they have some in-house crews, but also use untrained subcontractors. It never hurts to ask.
If a tree branch falls on your roof, it can cause major damage, but large branches are not the only concern. Smaller branches can cause even more damage when they rub against your roof for a long time. They slowly deteriorate the top layer of the roof, leading to problems with shingles or flashing. Debris and leaves from trees can also block water flow in gutters, causing water to seep into your home and cause damage and leaks. It is safer for your roof if you trim or remove trees that pose a serious danger to the roof’s integrity.
Hire a service to clear your gutters regularly if you are not up for the task yourself. If you do go up there, take the time to check for any damage from trees or other debris on the roof, and remove it if you can do so safely.
Clogged or defective gutters can lead to leaks along the roof’s edge, backups, and standing water that might eventually seep into the eaves, causing rot. Standing water in gutters means water is not properly escaping your roof, which causes other roof problems. Overflowing water from a blocked gutter can become an issue for your foundation.
There can be any number of reasons why gutters are not doing their job, including an improper slope or the accumulation of leaves or other debris that must be cleared away. You can prevent this by installing a drip edge or gutter screens. If your gutters are clean but still overflowing with water, be sure to inspect for possible gutter damage, such as decay, rust, or cracks.
Clogged gutters can also imply falling granules, which is the roof's top layer protecting shingles from UV rays. If that is the case, inspect and replace them before shingles start to crack. But if you have a brand new roof, some shingle granule loss is normal and nothing to worry about, sort of like finding lint in a dryer after washing a new towel.
Scheduling regular gutter cleanings or adding it to your own roof maintenance schedule will help you to identify any clogged or defective gutters. It is much easier and less expensive to get your gutters cleaned regularly (at least twice yearly, ideally in spring and fall) than to have to deal with major roof issues as a result of them being clogged or defective. If you are uncomfortable tackling this task, there are gutter repair pros near you who can do the job.
Many homeowners do not realize it, but maintaining your roof is crucial. Ignoring routine maintenance can make small, unnoticed problems grow into large, costly ones.
“The biggest issue homeowners ignore is the need for regular roof maintenance,” says Jose Figueroa, crew supervisor and sales representative at Artisan Quality Roofing in Apex, North Carolina. “While your roof should last 20 to 40 years, it needs maintenance every seven to eight years and semi-regular inspections in order to last that long.”
Pros also recommend getting a roof tune-up every eight to 12 years. This job includes maintenance like fixing nail pops, replacing damaged shingles, sealing exposed nails, and replacing pipe boots. Schedule at least one roof inspection per year to ensure your roof is properly maintained for best results. If you live in an area with regular and strong winds, you should get post-storm roof inspections. Contact a roofing contractor near you to schedule routine maintenance.
Roofing issues are more common during cold weather because ice and snow go through a freeze-thaw cycle. Water seeps, sits underneath the shingles, and freezes again when the temperature drops. When ice accumulates, it expands and pushes against the flashing or shingles, lifting them and leaving gaps that can allow even more ice or water to enter. This poses a potential risk to your structural system. You will need to schedule local emergency roofing repair if this happens.
But if you simply suspect that your roof sustained some damage due to a big storm or a particularly harsh winter, you can call a roofer to come check it out. That way, you will catch any possible issues and repair them before they become a bigger headache down the road.
Shingles can become damaged due to high winds that knock them out of place, a fallen tree or flying debris that moves them around, or an animal (such as a squirrel or raccoon) that decides to build a nest just under your roof line. Whatever the reason for damaged shingles, you should repair them promptly so as to avoid further damage, which could become more costly if left unresolved.
Depending on the roof and shingle type, it might be hard to find an exact match to replace the damaged shingles. If the roof is more than a few years old, the sun may have bleached the shingles over time and altered their color, for example. If this is the case, you may consider taking shingles from a less visible area of the roof to replace the damaged shingles and replace the less-visible roof area with new ones. A local roofing repair specialist can help if you are not comfortable replacing damaged shingles.
Flashing fails to do its proper job when installed incorrectly or when it becomes corroded or rusty. It can be challenging to notice damaged flashing, but if you notice corrosion, that is one telltale sign that you should dig deeper. Signs of water damage in the attic or interior walls, such as water stains or mold, might help you to identify damaged flashing as the culprit. Fixing damaged flashing early can help prevent more damage to the roof and it is less than the full roof replacement cost.
Just as there are different types of soffit and fascia materials, there are different types of shingles, and some are more prone to material shrinkage than others. Roof shrinkage is when the membrane shrinks, either caused by material aging, poor installation, excessive or long-term UV exposure, or microbial growth (think moss or lichen growing on shingles). When shrinkage occurs, it can contribute to shingles curling up, drying out, or pulling at flashing. Eventually, they crack or split, exposing the building to the external elements, including moisture.
While the type of roofing material that works best for your home depends on many factors, including local climate, aesthetic preferences, and budget, knowing some roof materials are more susceptible to material shrinkage can help guide your questions and final decision.
When pests decide they want to take up residence either on or below a roof, they can cause serious damage to shingles as they pry their way into a home. If it gets bad enough, some homeowners wonder how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement, once they realize they may need to consider the full roof replacement cost.
Sometimes it is not obvious that a pest has moved in. There is not always a clear sign from outside that shingles have been removed or that a gaping hole is visible between the roof line and gutter. If you hear sounds of small animals, you might be a victim of roof rat infestation. Other animals, such as squirrels and raccoons, will seek indoor comfort, warmth, and safety if given the opportunity, so keep an eye on damaged shingles or flashing and take care of them immediately to help ward off unwanted visitors.
It is important to take immediate action if you suspect damage from pests, since they can spread disease, trigger allergic reactions, and create even more damage to your property. You can try eliminating pests on your own, or you can hire a local rodent exterminator to get the job done quickly and efficiently and, hopefully, keep them out for good.
Loose granules, usually from asphalt shingles, leave your roof vulnerable to any kind of weather since those granules are designed to keep your entire roof protected against heat. Over time, they thin out so much that it creates bald patches on your roof. When the granules loosen and fall off, those bald patches create shingles that lose their effectiveness, and your roof will not perform at its best. Those bald patches are not only unsightly, they also expose your roof to elements.
Identifying roof problems like bald patches is not always easy, which is why routine roof maintenance can go a long way toward identifying roof issues before they become greater issues or require complete replacement.
