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MOST COMMON ROOFING PROBLEMS
Whether you can see them or not, roofing problems can be difficult to solve and may be associated with significant expense. When it comes to the integrity of your roof, many people fail to properly maintain their roof and regularly check for damage. Early detection of roof problems can save you time and money in costly repairs. Here is the list of the most common roof problems encountered by facilities professionals and building owners. Check these out:
Moisture and Roof Leaks
Moisture causes the decay of roofing materials and therefore significantly depletes the strength and quality of your roof. Furthermore, leaks can start anywhere – around fixtures, under flashing and even in shingles and other materials. No matter what type of roof you have installed, when roof leaks are present, there is definitely a problem. Roof leaks might be due to some details not done properly during installation or moisture barriers not properly installed. Leaks can also be due to poor seams installed in single-plied membrane roofs. Intense weather events also lead to roofing problems. Running water, rains, ice and snow have adverse effects on your guttering system. If you can see signs of a leak such as stained ceilings or bubbling paint, you should contact your roofer immediately. Leaks must be repaired in order to prevent further damage to your property and roof.
Tenting, Weathering and Cracking
Some roof materials may begin to bow or tent over time, leaving the materials underneath exposed to water and wind. If the flashing or shingles are not properly laid or they become weak over time, they risk exposing the rest of the roof to the elements. Wind can easily blow tented shingles off of the roof, leaving the base materials without cover. Flashing and shingles can crack as they age, leaving small gaps in the roof. The problem with cracked flashing or shingles it can be hard to identify visually and requires up close inspection to detect. This can be especially problematic in hot climates where cheaper roof materials begin to warp after a few years in the hot sun. Asphalt shingles are the most vulnerable as they can bend in the heat and are light enough to get carried off in the wind. Other roof materials such as slate tiles or clay tiles are more resistant to the wind and heat, which is why they are the primary roof material used in hotter climates.
Lack of Maintenance
Roofing systems should always be maintained regularly. Due to time constraints and many other reasons, the maintenance of your roof might be neglected completely. One thing you should do is to educate yourself about your roofing system. In this way, you would know the proper things to do in caring for your roof, as well as the signs that might mean you will need to have some repairs performed. Always perform regular inspections in order to know the obvious signs which could be a sign of a roofing problem. Unfilled pitch pockets, torn off pieces of bases and shingles, small pools of water and water stains may be understood immediately by an educated homeowner. The key to maximizing your roof life is to detect small problems earlier and prevent it from worsening.
Ponding Water
One of the most common roof problems is incidental water ponding. A faulty design of a roofing system can cause costly problems. Design deficiencies cost a lot of money to correct, and they can only be fixed by replacing the roof. Unless design deficiencies are corrected, the problems they cause will likely come back. A few examples of a faulty design includes an insufficient number of drains, a sagging roof structure, inadequate roofing slope and weak roof structures that causes a roof to split, which often results in ponding water. It is very important to know the main source of the ponding water. It is also imperative to work with a respected, experienced and qualified roofer whenever you are installing a new roof or replacing an existing one. Improper sloping and blocked drains can cause water to gather in small ponds on a roof.
Penetrations Post Installation and Punctures
In order for the roof system to be effective, you need to make sure that the roof offers complete protection. When there are missing shingles, holes or punctures in the roof, this leads to vulnerability to rain water. This can lead to structure damage brought about by increased moisture level, algae infestation and rot. This problem must be addressed as soon as possible since this will affect the surrounding shingles. This leads to the shingles being ripped easily if there are strong winds. It is advised that you replace the shingles or any other roofing materials immediately.
Safety
The setting up of torch applied bit systems and hot bituminous needs strict obedience to protection and safety measures. High temperature asphalt can lead to fires in kettle, burns and on your roof. Fire extinguishers and in torch mod bit must be there and CERTA guidelines must be followed. It is true that roof replacement and repair can be expensive. When it comes to the integrity of your flat roof repair, many people fail to properly maintain their roof and regularly check for damage. Early detection of roof problems can save you time and money in costly repairs.
Improper Repairs
When homeowners try to fix problems on their own, or when your hired roofer is using subpar materials and those not intended for specific roof types, it could result in a permanent damage to your roof. Small problems will get worse because of improper repairs. When you detect any flat roof drainage, the best thing to do is to contact your roofer and let them assess the situation. Early problem detection, regular maintenance and quality installation may affect the roof life positively. While the roof ages, it is more likely to experience problems.
Shrinkage
On roofs that use what is called a single-ply membrane, the possibility exists that the roof could eventually suffer from shrinkage, when the single membrane being to contract. Evidence of shrinkage can be seen near the flashings on the roof, where the single-ply membrane will start to pull away as it shrinks. Allowing this shrinkage to continue will inevitably lead to issues down the line. Homeowners should keep their eyes peeled for this roof problem, as in most cases it means that a roof repair is needed to address a particular issue. Catching this roof problem early and dealing with it quickly can help save you money by not allowing the problem to grow into bigger more expensive problems.
Blistering
If you see little holes revealing the layer underneath, it is time to get a new roof. Blisters are caused by moisture inside a shingle. When this happens, then it is not providing you the protection that you need. Dry lapping and improper heating cause hot bituminous roof systems to blister. Although small blisters seldom pose a problem, large ones can rupture and allow water to seep beneath the bitumen. Once the blisters form, hot weather typically makes them worse. When the paint on a home’s interior or exterior is blistered, this is a symptom that it may be time to replace the roof.
Call a roofing expert for a price and weigh your alternatives. You can prevent many expensive problems by having your roof inspected by a roof repair company and fixing problems before they become serious. A roof repair specialist can inspect your roof, let you know what problems need to be fixed, and repair the damages. They can look for signs of rot or mold. If you find water draining or seeping from your chimney, that is usually a sure sign that your roof is leaking. Even if your roof looks good after the inspection, you should still keep an eye on it in the future. Bad weather and rain can wreak havoc on your house. Without regular routine maintenance and inspections, even the smallest problems can become catastrophic.
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