At one point or another, your roofing system is bound to get some damage over time. Noticeable or not, these roofing problems are definitely a headache and will mean you’ll have to spend a fortune again. Here are the top 5.
Roof Leaks and Weather-caused Problems
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.
Head laps and backwater laps, when inadequately placed during installation, could be a cause for moisture infiltration. It will then result to leaks and blisters and subsequently, roof failure.
Leaks can also be due to poor seams installed in single-plied membrane roofs. Intense weather events also lead to roofing problems. Snow, ice, rains, and even running water have adverse effects on your guttering system.
Other problems resulting from poorly installed flashing
Improperly installed flashing doesn’t only cause leaks, it is can also result to blow-offs and many other roofing issues. When your roof’s flashing is not installed well, it may lead to open seams and laps. Also, when the number of fasteners used in the base is inadequate, it may also result in such problems.
Wind resistance is also reduced if the seams are not properly done, especially for cold-applied roofing systems which need to be cured first before they are even exposed to wind and rain. Moisture can infiltrate in your roof when it is not yet properly cured, or the wind uplift may damage the membrane.
Poor Installation
The installation of the roof is one big factor of its longevity of use. When it is installed poorly, roof damages are more likely to happen, and the roof life is reduced greatly. One common problem which may be related to poor installation would be the unsatisfactory workmanship of the installer.
There are a series of steps which are to be followed before even starting to do a roof job, and when these are not done well, it may be a cause for problems later on. There are some areas in your roof which are a bit hard to be walked upon, so these are often overlooked.
But these are very important and should be clean, dry, and should be primed properly before installation. Roof installers should also relax the roof sheets first before installing. Materials should be prepared properly to ensure a quality installation. Be sure that your hired roofers are knowledgeable of their job to avoid any faulty installation.
Lack of Maintenance
Roofing systems should always be maintained regularly. But due to time constraints, and many other reasons especially financial issues and business continuity, the maintenance of your roof might be neglected completely.
One thing you should do is to educate yourself about roofing system stuff. This way, you would know the proper things to do in caring for your roof, as well as the signs that might mean you’ll need to have some repairs already. When you are well-educated about roofing systems, roof problems will be lesser.
Always perform regular inspections and you just have to know the obvious signs which could be a sign of a roofing problem. Water stains, small pools of water, torn off pieces of shingles and bases, or unfilled pitch pockets 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.
Improper Repairs
When homeowners try to fix problems on their own, or when your hired roofer is using sub-par 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.
So, when you detect any roofing problem, the best thing to do is to contact your roofer and let them assess the situation. The repair products to be used should be in line with the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper use.
Quality installation, regular maintenance, early problem detection, and proper knowledge of homeowners may affect the roof life positively. While the roof ages, it is more likely to experience problems. Proper addressing of these problems will be the key to ensuring your roof system’s state.
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