Not all roofs last forever. But sometimes, what you think merits a replacement only needs a repair. It’s essential to keep an eye on your roof and find a reliable roofing contractor to make repairs before installing a new roof becomes unavoidable
Many homeowners aren’t aware of some of the most common things that can go wrong with your roof. However, knowing what to look for can help you avoid an expensive problem. Your roof protects your home and everything (and everyone!) inside. It’s critical to keep an eye on your roof and take care of issues before small repairs become big replacements.
Check out this helpful list of potential issues, and learn the easiest way to fix them!
1. Leaks
You’re probably the most familiar with this issue: leaking. Leaks are one of the top issues you’ll encounter with your roof. In many cases, by the time you see water dripping into your home, the leak has been there for a while. Time to pull out the trusty drip bucket.
Other than a puddle of water in your home, another way you might notice a roof leak is if you discover a discolored spot forming on your ceiling. You might also have a leak if the paint or wallpaper bubbles on the wall or the wall feels damp to the touch.
Leaks can happen in a variety of locations on or connected to your roof, including:
- Underneath damaged shingles
- Around the chimney and the edges of skylights
- At gutter seams
- Around vents, pipes, and flashing points
- In the valleys between roof lines
2. Lifted Shingles
Your roof’s shingles should lay flat to work as designed. However, wind, heavy rains, and other inclement weather can cause shingles to warp or lift. A lifted shingle is a common culprit allowing water to leak into your home.
3. Holes
Without rain to help identify a leak, you might not realize you have a hole in your roof. Weather damage can lead to holes. Rodents and other pests can also create holes, and then make themselves at home in your attic.
An undetected hole can lead to significant problems. With the obvious problem being water entering the home, holes also usher in higher levels of humidity, which then lead to mold and mildew.
4. Shrinking or Splitting Shingles
Changes in the temperature cause your house to shrink and expand. You won’t notice it until you try to close a door that won’t shut all the way because your house shifted as the seasons and temperatures change.
Your roofing shingles also expand and contract along with the temperatures. Shrinking shingles can leave gaps in the protection provided by your roof. When the heat causes shingles to expand again, they can split.
5. Granule Run-Off
Wind and rain can cause the granules on asphalt shingles to run-off or wear away. Those granules help maintain the integrity of your shingles to provide the protection you need from your roof.
While asphalt shingles are extremely durable and last for many years, sometimes a few shingles can lose granules quicker than others. The loss of granules can create “bald spots” in your roof that can be hard to see from the ground or without a trained eye.
6. Gutter Gaps
Did you know that your gutters are part of your roofing system? Trained roofing contractors can ensure your gutters connect to your roof and are in perfect condition for directing water away from your home’s foundation
Gaps in the seam between your gutters and roofline can cause drainage issues that lead to foundation problems. If your gutters sit at the wrong angles or are clogged with leaf debris, water can back up over the edge of your gutters and underneath the eaves of your roof. When water gets underneath your eaves, it can drain down inside the walls.
7. Pooling Water
Just like life, every roof has peaks and valleys. When everything works properly, rainwater funnels down the peaks, into the valleys, and down through into your gutter system.
When your roof has a drainage issue, water can pool in the nooks, crannies, and valleys of your roof. Pooling water seeps into the decking and leaks into your home.
8. Damage
Broken tree limbs, wind, and hail can cause damage to your roof. Hail damage might seem insignificant, but the impact of heavy hail storms can weaken shingles and their ability to protect your home.
9. Bad Repairs
Your home had a roof when you bought it! You probably don’t know the history of repairs or prior damage unless the sellers reported a recent roof replacement. Not all contractors provide you with reliable roofing solutions and high-quality repairs.
So… How Do I Fix These Issues? Call The Reliable Roofers at Above Roofing!
The easiest way to identify one or more of these homeowner’s horrors is to get in touch with a reliable roofing company like Above Roofing. If your roof doesn’t need replacing, quality repairs can prolong the life of your roof and keep your home safe from water damage or pest infestations. We will not sell you a new roof if repairs are the only fix needed; choosing the best roofing remedy doesn’t always mean a brand new roof. Choosing Above Roofing means you get honest advice and quality repair work, no matter the issue.
Above Roofing provides the right services for your roof—whether it’s one of the common repairs we mentioned above, or a full replacement. Contact us for a free roof inspection!
