If your roof was properly installed using high-quality materials, you can expect it to last for at least 30 years. However, considering your roof is the first line of defense against harmful weather elements, regular maintenance is key. Being the most exposed part of the building, your roof takes a beating from wind, hail, storms, heat from the sun, and other harmful weather elements on a daily basis.
While a properly installed roof is built to hand these weather elements, there’s going to be a few damages from freezing cold temperatures and ice storms in winter and blistering heat coupled with heavy rains in summer. Therefore, the roof is highly prone to weather damages and as a homeowner, you may encounter any number of roofing problems now and then.
Common Roofing Problems
As a homeowner or residential building owner/manager, you should always be on the lookout for damages to the roof of your building. Don’t know what to look for? Here are common roofing problems that might affect your structure and require roof repair:
- Incorrect Offset. If rows in your metal roof are not offset correctly, water may enter the roofing system. This may lead to massive seepage causing water damage to the structure of your home.
- Pitch Transition Not Flashed. Roof flashing plays a key role in preventing leaks in some of the most vulnerable areas of your roof. Roofs with missing or incorrect roof flashing are highly prone to leaking.
- Flashing Seams Separating. Roof flashing can be damaged, allowing seepage in your roof. Flashing seams separating is a common problem and needs to be fixed immediately to prevent leaks.
- Vent Not Sealed Correctly. Roof vents stick up through the roof, so shingles have to be fitted around them and sealed. As a result, roof vents are highly susceptible to leaking if not sealed correctly.
- Punctures in Roof. Roof punctures create holes in the roofing material through a combination of weight and pressure on the roof. Most roof leaks start with small punctures in your roof.
- No Sealant at Shingle Roof Flashing. Flashing is an intensive and time-consuming part of roof installation. If the job was done shoddily, the sealant can dry up and crack leading to seepage.
- No Starter Strip Shingles. Typically, starter strip shingles seal the first line of perimeter shingles to prevent wind uplift. Strong winds can lift shingles and cause damage if the starter strip shingles are omitted or improperly installed.
- Shingle Roof Fasteners Uplifting. Fasteners help your roof resist wind uplift and pull-through. Uplifting or popping of shingle roof fasteners is one of the most common causes of seepage.
- Granules Loss. Granules on your asphalt roof serve as an additional protective layer to your shingles and home. Granule loss is caused by the oils in the shingles drying out, weather elements, or people regularly walking on the roof. This can lead to roof leaks and deterioration.
- Rusted Flashing. Even with good installation, roof flashing can rust or become damaged, causing leaks. Rusted flashing needs to be replaced quickly to prevent further damage which could trigger a total roof replacement.
- Broken or Torn Shingles. Even a perfectly installed roof wears over time and becomes damaged. Broken or torn shingles can expose the underlayment to harsh weather elements.
Sometimes, roofing problems are obvious and pretty easy to spot. For instance, you can easily spot the damage when a storm blows shingles off the roof or a ladder crushes a gutter. However, some roofing problems are hard to detect. It’s these roofing problems that go unnoticed and wreak havoc a few years down the line. It’s good practice to have a qualified roofer inspect your roof regularly, especially after a storm.
Regular Repair and Maintenance
A roof is a big investment and caring for it is important. Regular maintenance and doing repairs when necessary helps prevent major roof damage and increase the lifespan of your roof. It’s imperative to hire a qualified roofing contractor to do repair and maintenance work on your roof. Roofing professionals can detect hidden roofing problems easily and recommend appropriate repairs.
Roof Damage Repair Process
Unless you are a certified roofing contractor, attempting to repair your roof by yourself can be dangerous. Roof installation, inspection, or repair should only be done by a roofing professional. When you notice any kind of damage to your roof the first thing you should do is call a professional roofer and your insurance provider.
If you are facing any of the roofing problems above, it’s time to call a professional roofer. At Bill West Roofing, we can help you choose the correct roofing system, materials, and provide expert installation. We cover the Lee Summit and the surrounding areas in Missouri. Connect with us today for reliable, high-quality residential and commercial roofing services.