How To Solve The Most Common Roofing Problems

Taking good care of your roof is an essential part of being a homeowner. It can be very easy to forget and neglect your roof maintenance duties because it is almost an “out of sight, out of mind” thing. Also, a lot of homeowners think that they can easily spot any issue with their rooftop and quickly fix it. This isn’t the case though. Even professionals will sometimes miss out on detecting potential issues with roofing. You will need training, patience, skills and experience to have a better comprehension and appreciation of what to look out for when you need to do the rooftop repairs. The best way to avoid any serious damage is the early detection of any potential problems. This way, your roof stays in shape longer.

Below are a few common roofing problems and how you can avoid or solve them before they escalate into costly and unmanageable problems.

Ventilation

Your roof and attic ventilation are an important part of making the roof last longer. This ventilation occurs naturally when air vents are installed at the base of the roof - at the eaves or in the soffits - and near the top part of your roof (the ridge) so that the warm air escapes through the top, and cooler air rushes in through the bottom. Since warm air is less dense and rises, nothing special is needed to create airflow. Make sure there is adequate ventilation by ensuring that the air vents are not blocked or clogged by anything. If the ventilation is left unmonitored, a buildup of heat and moisture can cause serious and often expensive damage to the rafters, sheathing, shingles and insulation. Make sure this area always remains dry by inspecting your air vents frequently.

Improperly Installed Flashing

Flashing is what’s used to seal those areas where the roof has been modified to allow for things such as vent pipes, skylights, chimneys, heating and cooling systems. When flashing is improperly installed, it can lead to open seams and laps. This will ultimately cause your roof tiles to blow-off. Poorly installed flashing can potentially reduce the puncture resistance in your roof. Inspect the flashing to make sure it's tight and sealed. You can even pour water on these areas to make sure there are no leaks. Over time, the flashing can degrade and lose strength, so regular checkups are a must. It's best to call a professional to help with the flashing if you need it re-installed

Tree branches

Windy weather can make everything (Including your roof) more mobile than it originally seemed. This force of nature becomes more dangerous if you have big and tall trees close to your house. Always make sure that tree branches have no contact with your roof. This will greatly decrease the incessant whipping of branches onto your roof. All this contact can cause the roof to sag over time. So always cut any overlapping branches and keep the trees well-trimmed. Sometimes cutting the whole tree can be the best solution.

Roof Leaks

No matter the type of roofing you have, if it develops a leak then you have an issue on your hands. Your roof is meant to keep anything it covers dry. So, leaks are bad news and unwanted. Check your roof for leaks from both inside and out. For such meticulous inspections, it's recommended that you call a professional. You must schedule checks after every season. This ensures that your roof is always in good condition and that any leaks are taken care of immediately. There are several reasons why leaks can occur. So be always mindful and do necessary repairs where and when needed.

Lack of Maintenance

Ideally, property owners should schedule an inspection for the roof every year (or after every season in severe conditions). A professional inspection will always be better than a DIY inspection. You should also call for an inspection after severe weather conditions such as storms. Over time, wear and tear can cause your roof to lose its strength and integrity. Take care of any issues that will prolong the life of your roof. Carry out repairs immediately so that they don't develop into bigger problems. Things such as mildew, sagging or gaping holes are some of the signs of a neglected roof.

For any maintenance work, it's recommended that you ask a professional to do it. However, if you can DIY, call someone to assist to make sure you do a thorough job. Your roof protects you from a lot of things and it takes quite the beating from all elements, so its best to take good care of it so that it maintains its strength and integrity.