Many roofs are made with durable materials, but that doesn’t mean your roof will be invincible. Like any construction materials, roofing components can fail if they are not correctly installed or made of poor-quality materials. There are many reasons why a roof can fail on a home. Take a look at the top six reasons for roof failures and find out what you can do to prevent them.
The Roof Protects You and Your Home
As you can imagine, a roof is one of the most critical components of your home. It will protect you and your family from snow, wind, heat, cold, and rain. Maintaining the roof is an essential part of your homeownership. However, even with the best maintenance plan, a roof can fail for various reasons.
That can be stressful to know since a new replacement roof can cost thousands of dollars. Thankfully, there are many ways that you can avoid these common roofing problems to help extend the life of your roofing structure. Here are the top six reasons that cause a roof to fail.
#1 – Poor Roof Installation
If you want your roof to last, you need to have it properly installed. Unfortunately, many roofing companies try to take shortcuts on the installation or use cheaper materials on your roof. When roofers do that, it will leave you with plenty of problems down the road. Poor installation is the top cause of loose shingles, leaks, and deterioration.
Luckily, one way to avoid these hassles is to hire a professional and trusted roofing company. Before hiring someone for the job, read reviews of the company, look at their completed jobs, and ask plenty of questions. Quality contractors will be upfront with you about everything from project costs to finding suitable materials. If your prospective contractor is less than honest with you, find someone else for the job. You want to find a roofing company that you can trust. The roofing company should be reliable. You need to count on them to maintain the roof and complete any potential repairs in the future.
#2 – Mismatched Roof Materials
Most roofs will need repairs. Even if you schedule a yearly maintenance visit, other things can happen, such as storm damage. While you may want to save money and use different types of materials for those DIY repair jobs, there are better options than that. Mismatched materials will bring down the curb appeal of your home, and they can make your roof fail. In many cases, these mismatched materials may void the original manufacturer’s warranty. Before grabbing a pallet of mismatched shingles to fix your roof, remember that those materials can cause your roof to fail.
#3 – No Flashing
Some contractors will skip installing flashing on your roof. That is another way that they try to cut corners on the job. If you want your roof to have a long life, it needs to have flashing installed in certain spots. These essential materials can often help your roof last for several decades. When your roof does not have flashing, it can develop leaks near skylights, vents, and chimneys. If you don’t see flashing on your roof, make sure to contact a professional roofer to add those pieces to your house.
#4 – Third-Party Vendor Damage
A roofing contractor is one of many people who may head up to your roof. If you add solar panels or a cable satellite to your roof, there is a chance these third-party vendors could cause damage if they are not careful. Once again, you always want to hire a company with a professional reputation. Some third-party vendors will also try to cut corners on the job, leaving you with roof damage as they install their products. You need to select a reputable company that will offer a workmanship warranty for their work.
#5 – Lack of Maintenance
Many homeowners forget about their roofs once the installation project is finished. However, that could lead to a roof failure. You should hire a professional roofing company to inspect the structure at least twice a year. These technicians will look for signs of damage and make the necessary repairs. Some other maintenance tasks can include clearing debris and keeping the gutters clean. When you ignore your roof’s maintenance needs, you could face significant repair or replacement bills in the future.
#6 – Improper Ventilation
All roofs need to have proper ventilation. Otherwise, it can lead to the failure of the structure. Adequate ventilation will help keep out moisture after a humid, rainy, or snowy day. If any moisture becomes trapped in the roof, it can lead to mold problems and a deterioration of the roofing materials. Make the roof’s ventilation a top priority. You want a ventilation system to release heat or moisture from the attic and circulate the fresh air. By doing that, you can keep that space well-ventilated throughout the year.
Prevent Your Roof from Failing
A failing roof is more than a costly replacement project. It can be dangerous for you and your home. If your home is starting to show any signs of failure or you want a roofing inspection, reach out to RGB Construction. We are a veteran-owned business that is ready to provide you with the best workmanship in the area. Along with maintenance and installations, we can also assist with all types of roofing repairs. Schedule a consultation by calling 856-264-9093.
