We all love a clean and well-maintained house, but it takes a lot of effort to keep it that way. No matter how old or new your home might be, it needs constant maintenance. From walls to the ceiling of a house, everything needs to be repaired with time.
One part of our house that endures the most is the roof. It faces extreme conditions, which makes it weak and vulnerable to problems. Being the house owner, you have to give extra attention to your rooftop, or else these minor issues will become a permanent problem.
However, you will firstly need to know about common roofing problems experienced in most houses and how to spot them. Once you are aware of the problem, it’s easier to find the solution.
Faulty or Blocked Gutters
A blocked gutter can create massive roofing problems. Water drains from the roof shingles into the gutter. Afterward, it travels to the ground through downspouts. However, the freely flowing water is blocked when your gutters get clogged with ice and unwanted residue. Since the water can’t flow out, it starts to overflow and affects the roofing.
Most experts urge homeowners to take immediate action. According to St. Joseph’s Roofing Contractor in Northern VA, “Your home is your biggest and most important investment, and your roof is designed to protect it. Therefore, you need to prevent damage to your roof”. Until and unless you don’t fix a faulty gutter, your roof is at constant risk.
The best way to solve the issue is by using gutter guards or meshes but don’t forget to clean them every few weeks.
Leaks in the Roof
Leaks in the roof are a common issue and easy to detect. It might start with droplets but soon volume and speed of the dripping water increase. At times, the size of the hole can also get bigger when left untreated.
In sunny weather, the problem might not be evident, but the minute it starts to rain, your entire home will be affected. The water will seep into your residence and destroy valuable items like upholstery, carpets, and flooring.
Individuals having attics in their homes might not experience visible leaks but will notice discoloration on ceilings. If you believe that a leak is causing all the problems, have it checked. The solution to the problem lies with a professional roofer. Still, you can add caulking to the leaks for the time being.
It’s better to not take matters into your hands, especially when you have zero experience in the field.
Growing Tree Branches
Trees and greenery can make an ordinary sight beautiful, but sometimes they can create unwanted troubles. One of these troubles is that tree branches can interfere with and harm your roofing system. If your yard has numerous trees with several branches, keep a tight check on them.
Maybe some of the branches are hanging near the shingles of your roof. They will scratch the surface and cause significant wear and tear. Such conditions increase the chances of roof leaks.
Even if the branches are not touching the roof, they might get dislodged and fall directly on the rooftop leading to massive damage. The greater the damage, the higher the repair costs.
Another problem with trees is that they shed a lot of leaves which will eventually collect on rooftops. These leaves could get washed down a drain causing blockages in pipes.
The best solution to the problem is to manage your trees. Have them trimmed in time and if you want to plant new trees, keep them as far from your roof as possible.
Poorly Installed Roofs
Installing roofs is a complicated process, and a single incorrect step weakens the structure. Often roofers claiming to be professionals do a shoddy job. However, homeowners having zero experience can’t tell the difference.
Incorrectly installed roofing will soon show signs of leaks and cracks. The tiles will not stick in their place. Loose tiles might fall off and injure you or your family members.
Without the protection of tiles, your roof receives more rain. It increases the overall moisture level in the structure. So you need to deal with the problem as soon as possible.
Only certified and experienced roofers can accurately install roofs. So hire trusted professionals who offer all the details.
Splitting
Rooftops face extreme hot and cold weather. These conditions give rise to the problem of splitting. During the process of splitting, several layers of a shingle start to pull apart due to thermal expansion, and gaps develop within the structure.
Furthermore, if a wave of cold air blows over, it will cause the layers to contract and tear apart. You might have thought that your roof experiences no changes, but it also undergoes constant expansion and contraction.
Once the process takes place, your roof will be completely warped. Sadly you can’t stop the process, but regular maintenance and timely changing of the roof shingles will lessen the problem.
