The way your roof looks and performs, from the minute it has been constructed until today, won’t be the same. The roof is the first major defense in your home from the elements that fall from the skies – snow, rain, and tiny rocks from the winds. You’d want your roof to be the strongest possible. This is why it is important to know and spot the most common problems that your roofing encounters, from the external to the internal. In this article, be guided by insights from professional roofers Cleveland homeowners and property owners partner with.
1. Improper Roof Ventilation
Excess heat buildup is the result of poor and improper attic ventilation. This also deteriorates the sheathing and damages the shingles, unfortunately, leading to roof failures. Some of the things that could cause improper roof ventilation are having a ridge vent and spray foam insulation – while other homeowners think these are helpful, it’s best to let go of them – having an attic fan and a ridge vent altogether, and having a ridge vent instead of an attic fan.
When there is poor ventilation, moisture can accumulate in your attic, raising the internal temperature of your residence, leading to blisters and cracking. During the winter, ice dams cause structural and safety issues. A contractor shall assist in investigating and implementing resolutions to address this issue.
2. Faulty Roofing Materials
It actually doesn’t matter whether you’ve mis-installed your tiles, broken the shingles, or other materials flew off in a storm. Once your roofing materials succumb to damage and displacement, it compromises the integrity of your roof, causing several issues. Even a high-quality and perfectly installed roof will wear out over time and become damaged due to climate conditions. Furthermore, some roof accessories won’t last long, so they will need to be replaced midway across the roof’s lifespan.
Those points presented above only lead to the common roofing mistake that’s about underestimating the significant of singles. Damaged or curling shingles may be ignored as they seem like part of depreciation, but they expose roofs to weather conditions, making them more susceptible to damage. The longer you wait before your shingles are fixed, the more likely these problems deepen, which include rotting sheathing. Thus, do not delay calling your roofing professionals!
3. Water Damage
Another common problem that haunts homeowners when it comes to their roofing is water damage. Especially with climate change, right? After a rain downpour or snowstorm, standing water on the roofing leads to mold and mildew, which causes leaks and structural damage upon the roofing material.
So, if you notice or sense that your roofing has weak areas, chances are, water can seep through, causing leakage and dripping into your living room, kitchen, or bedroom during heavy rain. Flat roofs usually encounter this issue.
Also, stagnant water causes ice dams that bring in problems for the structure and to the health of the residents. To help address these, routine roof maintenance is necessary. Be sure to schedule them ahead of time and connect with your professional contractor in the soonest possible time.
4. Incorrect Roof Flashing
Apart from roof leaks, incorrect roof flashing is also a grave threat. Flashing is made with weatherproof plastic, steel, or aluminum. It is installed in the weakest areas of your roof to protect it from fixture and connection creases in the areas of the chimneys or skylights. This helps keep awkward areas sealed for leak prevention.
In the event that flashing material suffers from breaking or cracking, connections become super vulnerable to water and moisture. There is a need to attach and secure flashing properly to avoid experiencing problems. Damaged flashing must be immediately addressed, repaired, and replaced with the help of your roofers.
5. Poor Installation
Just like the poor installation of apps in your gadget, or poorly installing your appliances at home, poor installation also is an issue with roofs. Poorly installed roofs bring in molds, shorter roof life expectancy, and long-term complications. Sure, you may leave them as is to save money upfront, but this is a risk that leads to complicated problems. It’s best to hire a talented roofing contractor to install your roof properly and professionally, since this project could be dangerous without direct experience.
Pro tip: As you go meet with your roof installer, find out who is actually performing the project. Perhaps the sales representative or one of their team is knowledgeable, but the entire team isn’t Perhaps the company has in-house crews, but the sub-contractors are untrained. It never hurts to ask.
6. Damage Due To Trees
Trees are life, but when they usher in damage to roofs, that’s when they can become a nuisance. If tree branches fall from your roof, these may be negligible, but large branches are not. However, that doesn’t mean that smaller branches won’t rub against your roof for a long time. Slowly, they deteriorate the topmost layer of the roof, leading to issues with shingles and flashing.
Likewise, debris and leaves from trees also block water flow in gutters, causing waters to seep into your home, causing leakage and damage. It’s best to just trim or remove trees to avoid posing a danger to the integrity of the roof.
Your roofers would clear your gutters regularly if you cannot do it DIY. However, if you wish to save money and do it yourself, take some time to check for damage from trees or other roof debris, then remove them safely, just like safely removing your hard drive from your computer.
7. Gutter Problems
Lastly, gutter problems! Very common, right? Clogged or defective gutters lead to leaks around the edge, backups, and standing water that cause rot. Standing waters in gutters mean water is not properly escaping your roof, problems seep in. Overflowing water from blocked gutters is a huge issue for your foundation. To schedule regular gutter cleanings or add these to your regular roof maintenance schedule will help identify clogs and defects.
Other issues include poor maintenance, snow and ice damage, and damaged shingles and flashing, damage from pests, and bald patches. Do not risk worsening the damage by doing things DIY. Call your professional roofer today.
