The roof is the most vital part of your home, as it helps protect the interior from dirt, wind, snow, rain, and other potential hazards. It is also an essential part of the exterior, hence making the home look better. Because of these benefits, it pays to know any sign of trouble associated with the roof. Adelaide roof restoration team can handle your big problem.
The dangers of an aging roof are many, and when not checked and maintained, they can damage your home. Once you identify a problem with your roof, call in a professional to fix it. In this article, we are going to identify the common roof problems and ways to resolve them. Let's have a look at how to identify the issues first.
How do you identify a roof problem?
When you are looking for a roof problem, check for the following:
- Moisture stains on the walls.
- Debris in the downspouts.
- Spots on the exterior walls.
- Water stain on the ceiling.
- Moldy or mossy exterior wall.
When inspecting your roof to identify a problem, you don't necessarily need to climb on it. You can use binoculars while on the ground, or you could notice signs indoors that your roof needs attention if it is aging.
1.Roof Leaks
When looking for a roof leak, check for a stain. A few Calgary Roofers recommend that if you suspect your roof is damaged, you should start by looking in your attic. The most common source of roof leaks is roof penetrations. It is hard for roof leaks to develop in areas with uninterrupted shingles even with older roofs. Examples of penetrations are; chimneys, plumbing, roof vents, and dormers. Any object that projects the top of the house can also cause roof leakage. Black marks, water stains, and molds are signs of roof leakage.
If there is leakage in your house, you need to look for evidence. Using a flashlight helps notice the issue quickly. Professionals from Hometown Roofing ATX says that you need the help of experts for a proper roof inspection in case you suspect leakages. One thing to note about roof professionals is that they are experienced in this kind of situation. Therefore, when it comes to details, they can easily detect the problem before it turns into a major. It is also essential to educate yourself on the process of inspecting the roof by yourself. This step can save you from dishonest services of inexperienced people who call themselves professionals. To solve this problem, hammer in a nail at the spot to temporarily solve the problem. You can also opt for silicone coatings, which are the best solution for the issue if the damage is extreme..
2. Lifted Shingles
Lifting of shingles leads to roof leakage. Several reasons explain why shingles can start to lift. The damage can result from an issue with the shingles before installation. Improper installation can also cause lifting of shingles. Failure to eliminate damaged shingles before you install makes them susceptible to more damage in the future. This result explains why you need to hire professional contractors.
Sometimes roofers don't use enough nails to tightly secure shingles. Strong winds can damage shingles, which can result in roof leaks. The other factor that can cause shingles to lift is hot and moist air rising into the attic. It happens, especially to poorly ventilated attics, which traps moisture in the decking.
The trapping causes the formation of molds that eventually causes curling and lifting of shingles. The growth of moss beneath the shingles can also result in lifting. Aging causes lifting too. The longer a piece remains lifted, the more the damage to the roof. Damaged shingles need to be sealed and nailed back into the roofing. To solve the problem permanently, you should install new ones.
3. Bad Gutters
Gutter's health is essential to roof longevity and its performance. The purpose of gutters is to protect your landscaping, indoor spaces, sliding, and foundation from water damage. Any deficiency in the gutter system is detrimental to your roof. The weight of the water can pull the gutter if poorly installed. The water can get directed into problematic areas. Sometimes it gets back to the roof of your home, resulting in moisture damage.
When gutter aprons are missing, water gets to the underside of shingles, dribbling to the fascia. Once this part soffits from water damage, it causes the roof sheathing to rot. To fix this issue, add gutter aprons when fixing new shingles. You can also slip the apron under existing shingles. The slipping only solves the problem temporarily. Using a dab of roof cement to glue the gutter to the shingles helps hold it in place for long. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your gutters are essential . With this in mind, if your gutters need cleaning then reaching out to a professional gutter cleaning service is strongly recommended. For instance, if you are based in New York state, researching Gutter Cleaning Schenectady online can help you to track down a team of professionals in your local area
4. Thermal Splitting
One of the common issues that occur with roofing is an occurrence referred to as thermal splitting. The problem has characteristics like long cracks running across a shingle surface. Roofing contractors explain that to curb a thermal splitting, you need to choose the right option for shingles. Splitting occurs when tiles and shingles expand from warm weather. A lack of insufficient room on the roof causes shingles and tiles to run into reach. The clash causes bending and splitting. The surface can tear from stress caused by the pulling away of both layers in different directions. The other cause of splitting is low product durability.
Thermal splitting weakens shingles. Large cracks completely expose the weak base layer, compromising the waterproof nature of your roof. Installation experts recommend an immediate replacement as soon as possible to prevent moisture damage from being a threat to the roofing system. If you have just received a new roof installation, examine the shingling and tiling structure. The roofing materials need a tight packing together, allowing for a little room for movement when exposed to hot weather. For best results, choose brands recommended by trusted roofing companies.
5. Bad Ventilation
The issue of ventilation with roofs seems like a small problem until you find yourself paying for higher utility bills than expected. The cost of repairs for this issue can be high too. Some of the effects of poor ventilation include;
- Excess heat from the sun – The heat increases the temperature in the house, causing the air-conditioning to operate harder. This effect causes an increase in energy bills.
- Dirty spots on the roof
- Stains on the interior ceilings
- Rust on the roof metals
- Blistering of paint
- Exterior roof decay
Moisture trapped in the house due to excessive temperature or humidity causes the above effects. When you see such signs, try to solve them as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs. Ensure that there is adequate ventilation in places like the kitchen or bathroom. For best results, place roof ventilation near the peak of the roof and soffit vents in the eaves. The vents allow natural airflow that keeps the inside of the home comfortable. You can also opt for mechanical ventilation by using a power source to provide a constant flow of air.
6. Shrinking
You may be wondering what roof shrinkage is? The terms refer to a membrane coating over your roofing materials that cause wear with time. This definition is contrary to the belief by most people that roof shrinkage is the actual shrinking of roofing materials. The membrane coating is also known as the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The coating protects your home from damages caused by weather, extreme temperature, and other materials on the roof.
As time goes by, the membrane shrinks, leading to many problems, like ridges, tears, and cracks, to name a few. The tiles and the shingles on the roofing contract when the weather gets cold. The tiles could fall off after breaking, creating more issues. The splitting and cracking allow moisture in, which can cause leaks. It is vital to hire a professional to fix roof shrinkage. Repairs done by inexperienced individuals may result in more severe damage to the roof, which can cost you a significant amount of money to fix. Make sure your roof gets installed correctly from the beginning to prevent shrinking. Remember to buy a durable and strong roof that can withstand shrinkage.
7. Loss of Granules
Granules appear like decorations on the roof. However, the tools serve as a protective layer of shingles. The granules are like the added design to shingles and help protect the roof of the house from excessive sun exposure. The tools also enhance fire resistance to the roof by adding an extra layer of protection. Granular loss can significantly affect the health of your roofing system. The textures get lost mainly through aging. However, various factors also contribute to the premature disappearance of granules. These causes include; strong winds, heavy rains, and hail.
After a storm, it is easy to find some granules in the yard or gutters. To identify the loss of granules, you can take a walk around your home while examining downspouts. Granules run through the channel to the ground after loosening. You can also detect the loss by looking at the roof. A sign that granules are missing is evident through discolored spots on the roof. Without granules, exposure to rain and sun can cause deterioration and roof leakage. To curb this damage, replace the damaged part. If the level of granule loss is extreme, you need to replace the entire roof.
8. Tree Damage
Trees offer the necessary shading and the ability to catch rain essential in protecting the roof. However, it needs regular trimming to prevent outgrown branches from falling on the rooftop. The possibility of a tree planted near your rooftop falling during a storm is high. Heavy branches may fall on the roof, causing damage. It leaves you feeling shaken and vulnerable.
To prevent the issue from occurring, contact a roof repair company to trim it, or recommend a tree trimmer. Because of its benefit, the trimmer should not cut the tree completely. Contact the insurance company to cover for the damages once the tree falls on the roof. You need to note that insurance companies hardly do coverage for damages if the property is poorly maintained. The safety of your family comes first!
The best thing to do to prevent any danger caused by falling trees over your roof is trimming the branches. Don't forget that falling trunks may cause further damage like taking down power lines, which cuts the supply of electricity to your home. This effect may attract burglars, which is dangerous to your family.
9. Holes in the Roof
Holes result from animal infestation or water damage on the drywall. Debris from strong wings can also create holes in the roof. A hole in the roof may invite small animals and rainwater into the house. Nails pulled over-time when mounting holes for satellite dishes and antennas may leave gaps. After some time, the holes allow water, which causes a leak in the attic. The problem needs to be repaired. You don’t have to hire a professional to fix the holes, you can use carpentry skills to make the necessary repairs yourself, however, if you would prefer a professional to come and fix your conservatory roof, for example, then there are plenty of services out there like those over at https://www.projects4roofing.
If you are not familiar with that, make sure to contact a contractor because trying to fix the problem without knowledge can cause more damage to your roof. You may end up replacing the roof. Also, be sure to cover holes after removing satellites. You can also use a suitable primer to patch holes. Make sure you follow the patching process according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
10. Standing Water
Lastly, standing water is a roof problem that causes problems to home and property owners. When a building has a flat roof, it is hard to avoid the additional issue of stagnant water. The case results from poor drainage. Uneven roof area and insufficient slope are other results in this problem. The water can cause long-term damage to the roof. The roofing materials begin to degrade. During winter, standing water expands due to freezing, breeding more insects and mosquitoes.
However, if properly maintained, you can avoid costly repairs, protect your investment, and keep your property in good condition. The other damage caused by stagnating water is UV degradation intensified as a result of sunlight traveling through it. The problem can be solved by leveling uneven areas and creating slopes to navigate water towards the drainage.
The biggest roof problem is lack of maintenance. Paying less attention to the roof invites more issues. If you have a busy schedule, hire a team you can count on to take care of it. The tips provided in this article offer lasting help in maintaining your roof. Protect your home and everything inside it by regularly checking on your house roofing.
