Roof Repair Guide, 5 Common Roofing Problems To Look For

Roofs play an essential role in a house. Any damage to the roof can be costly as it makes the rest of the home susceptible to harm.

Which eventually will lead to damage to other personal property inside.

Roofs are the primary defense against different elements of harsh weather. And, like other parts of the structure, you should take good care of roofs. Otherwise, the consequences will follow. In this roof repair guide, you’re going to be updated on the most common roofing problems you should be aware of. Roof Masters company helped us to create this comprehensive guide as they famous in their local area.

Five Common Roofing Problems

1. Bad Installation

A shoddy roofing job will cost you much more than you might think. That’s why it’s good to ensure that professional local roofers do your roofing. A well-done roofing job will make the roof last longer, saving you from potential replacement in the future. A poorly done roofing job leaves your roof more susceptible to damages, paving the way for other roofing problems. Similarly, bad repairs could also cause roofing problems.

The six common signs of a bad roofing job include lack of uniformity, improper roof shingle nailing, missing drip edge flashing, sagging rooflines, missing or damaged shingles, and reusing old flashing material. These are direct signs of a shoddy roofing installation job. Improperly installed roofs pave the way for future problems like premature aging. Premature aging means your roof will start to leak way earlier than you’d expect.

2. Tree damage

Trees offer the much-needed shading around the house but also pose a significant risk to roofs. Therefore, it would be best if you watch out for all those trees near your home. On the extreme, if, for instance, a tree near your house fell on the house, that could cause far-reaching damage to the whole structure. But that’s not the only danger with trees around your house.

Any tree with overhanging limbs can scratch and weaken the surface of your roof, leading to damage over time. Branches can also fall on the rooftop in case of a heavy downpour. Besides, tree leaves will overtime get stuck on the roof leading to poor drainage, thus causing premature aging. Because of this, make sure that the overhanging tree limbs are trimmed off. Seek expert help from the local tree expert since chopping off these branches can drop on the roof and cause damage if you do it carelessly.

3. Leaking Roofs

Leakage is one big problem for roofs. Roof leakage can be as a result of a shoddy installation job. And if not checked, you might need to do another roof installation very soon. The most common locations where roof leaks happen include the following.

• Around the Chimneys – Chimneys are the main culprits when it comes to roof leakage. In most cases, roof leakage around the chimney is caused by damaged flashing, the thin metal strips installed on roof intersection joints.
• Roof Vents – Vents play an important role on your roof. Their primary purpose is to emit excess moisture from the house. Damaged flashing around the vent can also lead to roof leakage.
• Dormer Walls – These are also culprits of roof leakage on houses that have them installed. Any roof repair guide will advise you to watch out for roof leaks on dormer walls because they provide plenty of spots for leakage.
• Step Flashing – Improperly installed step flashing is one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Step flashing can also wear over time leading to leakages.
• Damaged or Missing Shingles – Old or damaged shingles cause roof leakage. Old shingles are most susceptible to being ripped off the roof by storms, leaving your roofing membrane exposed and causing leaks.

Roof leaks can also occur on roof valleys and ice dams for those living in the snow belt. Roof leaks can damage ceilings, the structure, insulation, floors, stain walls, and even damage to personal belongings inside the house. Roof leaks should, therefore, be treated with the urgency that they require.

4. Roof Shrinkage

Roof shrinkage involves the contraction of the roofing membrane most commonly found on flat or nearly flat roofs. The roofing membrane serves to protect the roofing system from adverse weather conditions and temperature. So, when this membrane shrinks, the roofing system is left exposed to these conditions. Roof shrinkage leads to cracks, ridges, and even tears, leaving the roof susceptible to water damage. There are different reasons behind roof shrinkage.

It can be caused by poor installation, low-quality roofing materials, poor roofing system design, and poor artistry. If left unchecked, roof shrinkage can pave the way for other severe damages. One way of preventing roof shrinkage is proper installation. The opposite of this is splitting, which occurs when the roof heats up, causing shingles and tiles to expand until there’s no room for further expansion. Consequently, the shingles ram into each other.

5. Animal Damage

Small animals can also wreak havoc on your roof. Top culprits that damage roofs include squirrels, raccoons, mice, rats, bats, and birds. These animals commonly search for new roofs seeking to build their nest. They can tear the shingles apart, destroy soffits, and burrow the roof seeking shelter in the attic. You could experience other problems like overheating inside the house due to poor ventilation when these animals block roof vents with their nests.

Although they may not get in, damaged shingles can cause more troubles like leakages. It’s a good idea to properly secure your rooftop from such if you live in a neighborhood full of such animals. You can do that by trimming overhanging branches and limps near your house, use anti-bird spikes on the roof’s edges, regularly inspect your attic, and add a chimney cap if you have an open one.

Conclusion

In this roof repair guide, we have looked at five common problems that have a high potential of affecting your roofing structure’s integrity. This isn’t an exhaustive list as there exist many other things that can negatively impact your roofing. To stay on the safe side, always inspect your roof regularly to see any budding future potential problem that should be taken care of before it gets worse.