A home’s roof is vulnerable to the outside elements and can be quickly damaged in a strong storm. Small roofing problems like tiny leaks can go unnoticed until the damage becomes extensive making the repairs or replacement costs higher and the repair efforts greater.
Here are some of the most common roof damages to watch out for and how to fix the problems to maintain your roof’s integrity and help ensure the safety of your home, family, and personal possessions.
Damaged Roof Shingles
Roof shingles can easily become damaged since they are constantly exposed to frequent downpours of rain, vulnerable to wind and harsh sun exposure damages, and may shrink or become dislodged over time.
Inspect your roof’s shingles regularly and pay close attention to the areas that surround a chimney or rooftop vent as well as the roof edges where the shingles connect to the gutters.
Look for worn or missing surface shingle granules that help to protect the roof from the strong sunlight. These often get washed into the gutters which may cause a clog over time.
Repair or replace torn, leaking, dislodged, improperly installed, or missing roofing shingles to avoid further damage.
Roof Leaks
Roof leaks are probably the most common roofing problem. These can be found in a timely manner just by doing regular inspections of your roof preferably at least two times a year and after any nearby storm occurs.
Small leaks may not be visible right away. It is best to access your attic or crawl space to inspect the roof from that vantage point. Search for damp or stained roofing areas paying particular attention to commonly vulnerable areas where the shingles are attached to joints, flashes, chimneys, vent pipes, and gutters.
It is often better to hire a professional roofing contractor, like RGB Construction in NJ, to repair roof leak damages especially if there is extensive damage seen or if the homeowner does not have the time or knowledge needed to complete these crucial roof repairs.
Clogged Gutters
Roofs should always have installed and properly operating gutters and downspouts to divert water away from the roof and the home’s foundation. Gutters are easily damaged or dislodged during harsh storms that include hail, heavy downpours, ice, or high winds.
Debris can clog a gutter causing the water inside to pool and become stagnant. This can create a prime environment for mold, mildew, moss, and algae growth as well as attract various pests that love water.
Twigs, dirt, leaves, and washed away roofing shingle granules can all build up in the gutters causing a clog. During rainstorms, the gutters may overflow posing a huge danger to your home’s roof and interior living spaces.
Clean your gutters at least two times a year preferably in the spring and fall to avoid gutter clogs and prevent further damage. Installing seamless gutters, screens or aprons can all help to lessen the chances of gutter-related issues.
Ice Dams or Snow Related Roof Damage
In geographical regions that see cold temperatures during the wintertime, the risk of a roof developing snow or ice-related damage is greater.
Ice dams or heavy piles of snow on a rooftop that is flatter in slope can result in a roof collapse, damage to shingles or other roofing materials and can cause roof leaks and other problems that may allow water to seep into the interior rooms of your home.
Assessing roof damage when the weather is cold and freezing ice may be present on the roof can be dangerous. This is best left to the roofing professionals who have the skills, experience, and knowledge to perform this task correctly and in a safe manner.
You may need to create more slopes on areas of the roof that tend to pool water to drain off future water or ice. Improperly installed roofing materials may also have spaces between the shingles or other materials that are prone to freezing. This can dislodge the edges of the roofing materials causing leaks or the shingles to be damaged or lifted away resulting in the need for repair or replacement.
Roof Damages from Storms
The shingles or other materials installed upon your home’s roof are constantly exposed to weather-related damages. Strong or prolonged storms can cause extensive damage to the vulnerable roofing structures. This damage can be due to flying debris, tree limbs or branches, hail, ice, and heavy and sustained winds.
Homes that are located in hurricane and tornado-prone regions should take action to ensure that their home roofing will hold up in the event of a catastrophic weather event.
Pest Problems That Cause Roof Damage
Pest problems that are found on a roof can pose a challenge to resolve. Typically, termites, carpenter ants, mosquitoes, and other water-loving pests are drawn to the roof due to standing water in the gutter or in an area of the roof where moisture tends to pool.
To resolve pest roofing issues, ensure that the gutters are not clogged, find and repair roof leaks, and call-in pest control professionals to safely remove the pests. Homeowners should be especially cautious when dealing with bees or wasps.
Moss Growth on Rooftops
Moss and other live green plant growth may attach and grow to a home’s roof on the side where the roof does not get a lot of sun exposure. Over time, the moss can get underneath the shingles and cracks between roofing materials causing extensive damage.
To resolve moss growth, install copper or zinc strips between the roofing materials and/or call roofing professionals in serious cases. The roof will need to be carefully washed gently brushing downward only on the roofing materials until the moss is completely removed.
There are some excellent cleaning sprays that can remove moss or algae growth and do not use harsh power-washers that could harm the roof.
Damaged Flashing
Materials like sheet metal, plastic, or rubber are used for flashing on a rooftop. This is usually placed around chimneys, vents, skylights, and where the roof meets the gutter. Over time, these flashing materials may become dislodged or may crack, disintegrate, or be blown away due to storm exposure and sunlight.
To resolve, the damaged flashing will need to be repaired. Often, moisture damage and other issues may also be present in nearby structures requiring repair and/or replacement that may need advanced roofing work to perform correctly.
Ventilation Problems on a Roof
Improper or missing ventilation on a roof can lead to major structural damage to the roof, attic, and other inside and outside home materials. Older homes may have more issues. This type of repair should be completed by a roofing professional that will know the current building codes and other requirements.
Standing Water Issues Including Mold or Mildew Growth
When water issues occur on roofing materials, this standing water may result in mold and mildew growth. This can cause severe damage to nearby structures and can spread rapidly often without notice.
Mold and mildew growth can be difficult and dangerous to resolve. This type of roofing problem should be left up to roofing experts who understand how to safely keep mold and mildew spores from getting into the home’s air supply and other interior places.
All damaged parts of the roof and repair of the causative water pooling spots will be necessary for the complete resolution of mold and mildew issues.
Tree-Related Roof Damages
Large trees and tall shrubs that are planted too close to your home can cause serious damage to the room of your house. Trim any branches that are leaning too close to your home. The roots of the trees and shrubs may spread out causing other home-related damages near the ground, basement, or crawlspace.
It may be necessary to remove the offending trees or bushes. This may involve the services of a professional tree specialist.
Conclusion
All roofs should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis to ensure that there are no damages or other issues that could put your entire home and everything inside it at risk for various damages from water leaks, mold, rot, mildew, and moss growth, and other issues.
Contact RGB Construction in New Jersey by phoning 856-264-9093. Read more about roofing problems and available services online via https://rgbconstrucitonservices.com.
