10 MOST COMMON ROOFING PROBLEMS

As a homeowner, taking care of your roof is an essential task. Because it’s an out of sight, out mind approach, it can be easy for homeowners to forget about their roofing. Many homeowners believe that they can spot problems with their roofs. This is simply not true. Even roofing experts sometimes miss potential roof problems. To be able to spot potential roof problems, you need to have the right skills and experience. It is important to detect this problem early in order to save your roof’s structural integrity.

These are the top 10 problems you should be looking out for.

1. Poor Maintenance – It is a good idea to schedule an annual inspection for your roof. A professional inspection should be scheduled after severe storms. There are many things that can go wrong with your roof over time and you should be vigilant about maintaining it. A roof that isn’t maintained properly can be identified by signs such as mildew, sagging, or large holes.
2. Improper repairs – This is the most serious offense because the homeowner hired someone to do the job. There is nothing you can do about it, except to ensure that the contractor you hire is trustworthy. Many contractors who are not trustworthy will bid for jobs and then cut corners to get paid. It will take a while before people find out what they did.
3. Ventilation – Roof and attic ventilation are essential to making roofs last. Vents should be placed near the top (the ridge), and the base (at the eaves and in the soffits). This allows warm air to flow through the roof and cool air to pass through the bottom. This air movement is not created by any mechanical means, as warm air naturally rises. Proper ventilation regulates the temperature and humidity levels in your attic. If heat and moisture are not controlled, they can cause damage to insulation, sheathing, and shingles.
4. Storm-Related Damage – Storms can occur in any season, whether it’s spring, winter, summer, or fall. Major roofing damage can be caused by hail, rain, strong winds, lightning, or broken branches. You should inspect your roof for potential damage after any weather-related events. You have a small window of time to file an insurance claim and you don’t want to be responsible for the damages.
5. Roof Leaks – No matter the type of roof, if there is a leak you will have a problem. Your roof is supposed to be like a lid for a container. This lid serves the purpose of keeping everything inside dry. You can only do your best to fix a leaky lid as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Leakages can happen for many reasons. The key is to detect them early and carry out repairs.
6. Moisture – While moisture can be a problem if there isn’t a leak, it is sometimes a problem. However, moisture buildup can cause problems if it is allowed to fester for too long. Mold and mildew will develop from moisture, which can lead to rot. It can also cause structural damage to your house by getting into walls.
7. Faulty or Poor Installation – Many roofing contractors are just looking to make quick cash. Even worse, someone may be unqualified to do this type of work. Although it can take many years to find a problem, once it starts to cause problems it is usually too late to fix it. You will likely need to replace the entire roof.
8. Trees – Overhanging tree branches can rub on roofs, causing damage to the shingles’ surface and removing the protective top layer. Tree branches can also fall onto the roof, causing more severe damage. Tree limbs should always be kept away from the roof. If a tree is too close to your home to be dangerous, it should be removed.
9. Improperly Installed flashing – Flashing seals areas where roof penetration has occurred (such as vent pipes, skylights, chimneys, heating and cooling systems, and skylights). Badly attached flashing can lead to open seams, laps, and eventually tiles falling off. Poorly installed flashing can also reduce puncture resistance on your roof.
10. Critters – Small animals, birds, and insects can do a lot of damage. It is best to get rid of them as soon as possible.

This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which is the premier roofing company that offers Commercial Roofing in St Petersburg! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF, and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.