If you live a fast-paced lifestyle where the time to inspect your property barely permits itself, then major roof maintenance issues will always catch you unawares.
But the thing about roof damage is that they don’t occur overnight. These issues may take years to develop unless your location was recently struck by raging storms or heavy precipitation.
In this post, we examine the common causes of roof problems and how you can prevent them.
1. Cheap Roofing Material
Choosing a roofing material can significantly impact your roof’s efficiency and longevity. Sadly, the quest for cheap roofing services has had many homeowners settle for substandard roofing materials, only to deal with frequent repairs soon after installation.
Working with professional residential roofing services is critical in finding the best roofing materials for your home. The company may recommend several options, including super durable ones like slate tiles and metal.
Asphalt shingles may serve you best if you’re seeking a balance between quality and affordability.
2. Poor Workmanship
Finding super durable roofing materials is only half the effort. The other half entails getting it professionally installed. Therefore, due diligence is paramount while scouting for an experienced residential roofing technician.
Besides basic requirements like license and insurance, insist on a company with a proven track record of excellence.
Sampling online reviews is a good practice in gauging a roofing technician’s experience before hiring them. Pay particular attention to user feedback on the company’s workmanship and project turnaround.
3. Roof Leaks
Leaks are one of the most nagging roofing problems faced by homeowners worldwide. They’re particularly annoying when it’s raining outside, and you must contend with rainwater dripping on your furniture or freshly changed bedding.
Roof leaks typically result from damage to shingles, which could be caused by improper nailing or mechanical stress. Depending on your roof’s type, leakages may be due to poor flashing installation around the chimneys and vents.
Without urgent attention, roof leakages can pose serious risks to your property and its occupants. A roofing contractor can help diagnose the problem and recommend the best intervention.
4. Standing Water
Does your roof take unusually long to drain following heavy precipitation? If yes, that means certain patches of the roof have developed sinkage and are pooling water in.
Letting this problem go unaddressed can accelerate structural damage and lead to costly repairs. Besides, standing water may attract mold and mildew, exposing you to frequent respiratory illnesses.
It’s best to inspect your roof regularly for depressions, preferably right before and after the rainy season. Get any sinkages repaired by a licensed roofing company.
5. Shrinkage
Pooling water on your roof isn’t the only risk with roof shrinkage. These depressions may also accumulate debris from nearby shrubbery, further degrading your roof’s structural integrity.
As shrinkage is commonly due to cheap roofing materials like synthetic rubber, an effective prevention strategy is to insist on durable options like slate tiles and metal.
Moreover, the roof should be properly installed and regularly inspected.
6. Damaged Shingles
While roofing shingles vary considerably in their durability, their lifespan can be dramatically reduced by factors like substandard installation and adverse weather. Powerful winds and heavy precipitation can cause roofing shingles to crack, curl, or be completely blown away.
A quick fix may help address cracking and lifting shingles. But if these components are missing, your residential roofing company will recommend total replacement.
Preventive measures include reinforcing roof sealants, trimming overhanging tree branches, and cleaning the gutters regularly.
7. Damaged Flashing
Flashing guards against leakages that would otherwise seep through the protruding spots on your roof. It’s commonly installed around the chimneys, vents, skylights, and HVAC areas.
Like most roofing components, flashing may become damaged from normal wear. However, enlisting the services of an experienced roofing technician can minimize the damage by ensuring the material is installed correctly.
You could also extend the longevity of roof flashing by reinforcing it with a high-quality sealant. If this doesn’t help, you might want to upgrade to more durable flashing materials like rubber and metal.
8. Clogged Gutters
Clogged gutters can weigh down your roof and cause significant damage to nearby shingles.
When your gutters get blocked, rainwater doesn’t follow its intended flow path. Instead, it seeps back into the roofing system, potentially causing leakages or structural decay.
Fortunately, you can avoid these problems through regular gutter cleanup. You could also install side screens around your gutters to minimize debris accumulation.
9. Poor Ventilation
Poorly-ventilated roofs can attract moisture in your attic, leading to mold growth and rotting of timbers. During warmer weather, poor ventilation may cause condensation in your attic and elevate your home’s internal temperature.
Over time, these issues can compromise your home’s structural integrity, pose severe health hazards, and increase energy costs.
Installing different vent types on your roof can effectively address the problem of poor ventilation. Ridge vents let warm air escape your property, while soffit vents invite cool air into the attic.
10. Improper Insulation
Conservative estimates indicate that 25% of the heat in our homes escapes through poorly insulated roofs. Like improper ventilation, inadequate insulation can raise your home’s energy bills, besides presenting serious structural and health risks.
Roofing insulation issues typically result from insufficient insulation thickness or gaps in the insulation material. You can avoid these problems by upgrading to high-quality roofing materials. Besides, proper insulation thickness must be used, and any voids along the insulation material must be sealed.
If the problem persists despite your best efforts, you might consider upgrading to cool roofs.
11. Tree and Pest Debris
While trees play a critical role in cleaning the ambient air in our homes of dust particles, having shrubbery growing closer to your house can present untold dangers.
Overhanging tree branches may break and fall onto your roof, causing massive depressions. These sinkages can pool water and accelerate roof damage if not fixed urgently. Your best bet is to trim large, overhanging tree branches. If possible, plant yard trees a safe distance from your house.
Pests may also nest on (or inside) your roof and cause significant damage. Therefore, spare no effort in keeping these unwanted critters from your home.
Summary
Understanding the genesis of roof problems is critical in preventing their occurrence and mitigating their impact. By conducting routine roof inspections, you can identify and fix maintenance issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
Now, there’s no consensus on how regularly to schedule roof inspections, as that would depend on factors like the roofing material used and the local climate. However, many experts recommend undertaking robust maintenance at least twice annually, preferably in spring and fall.
More importantly, ensure your roof is inspected and repaired by a reputable roofing company.
