Failing to address issues with your roof quickly can lead to extensive damages in your home. Keep an eye out for these common roofing problems and learn how to resolve them:
Leaking Roofs
Leaks are one of the most prevalent roofing issues according to Synay Roofing (https://sinayroofingwv.com/roofing-serving-wheeling-west-virginia/). While leaking roofs may damage your interior and weaken its rafters over time, finding their source can usually be easy enough and repairs quickly implemented.
Leaks often result from poorly sealed roof vents, chimneys and other penetrations; such openings not only look unsightly but allow water into the home and lead to further damage.
To locate a leak, start by inspecting ceiling for water stains. If any are detected, use a flashlight to locate their source in the attic; usually this will be several feet uphill or off to either side of where the stains exist. Leaks may also occur near things that penetrate your roof such as pipes or dormers where rubber boots or flashing is supposed to seal off gaps around their penetrations and create leakage points.
Damaged Shingles
If you live in an area prone to storms, it's a wise idea to pay extra close attention to your roof. Keep an eye out for signs of damage like blistering shingles, impact marks or dents and moss growth as these should all indicate damage that needs immediate attention.
As soon as a shingle becomes damaged, it's crucial that it be replaced quickly in order to avoid water leakage. To do this, pry it up using a flat bar, remove any nails left by prior repairs, and slide a new one into its spot; make sure its nail strip aligns perfectly with that of its predecessors.
Be careful when walking on your shingle roof as too much foot traffic could wear away the surface or puncture underlying materials, potentially puncturing them completely. Limit foot traffic by wearing shoes with thick rubber soles while on the roof and regularly trimming overhanging tree branches that could abrade its surface.
Ice Dams
Ice dams pose a significant threat to roofs and homes alike, often causing water to accumulate underneath shingles and leak through, potentially leading to leaks, leaks, mold damage and gutter ruinage. Furthermore, leakage from ice dams may compromise gutters, cause shingle loss and cause havoc within walls and ceilings resulting in damaged insulation and warped wood structures.
Non-uniform roof surface temperatures can lead to the formation of ice dams, when snow melts on one area before condensing into a blockade on cold eaves and freezing again, creating an ice dam which prevents additional melting snow from draining off, leading to it pooling underneath shingles and into homes.
Careful homeowners or professional hires can chip away at ice dams to open channels for additional meltwater to flow off their roof. However, for optimal results this should be combined with either roof steaming or calcium chloride socks; climbing onto your roof in winter can be hazardous, so these tasks should be left in the hands of experts who know how to do them safely and quickly.
Condensation
Your roof provides protection for you and your family, but its lifespan will eventually run its course. Without regular maintenance or repair, its condition will deteriorate, leading to leaks or rot. Finding these problems early may be challenging but professional roof inspection can ensure your home remains free from water damage.
Leaks are one of the most prevalent roofing issues and may appear near chimneys, flashing, gutters, skylights, valleys or vents. To check for leaks in your attic and rafters, look for moisture or stained spots - an easy way to tell whether there's one.
Leaks typically begin when loose shingles or worn flashing allows in a little water, which leads to moisture eroding the layers underneath and decay forming quickly. Proper roof maintenance will help avoid this scenario; additionally, cleaning gutters regularly is also vital, as is having trees trimmed so they do not touch your roof directly.
