There are many things that can cause damage to your roof . Finding roof leaks and other problems with your roofing system can be tricky depending on the type of roof material used – some are more difficult to detect than others. Here’s a list of the most common problems homeowners face with their roofs.
Roof Field Section
The most common roof problems we see are the field of shingles itself. Wind will cause shingles to blow off, damages shingles can cause pooling and shrinking field membranes all contribute to leaks in the roof fields. Making it worse are aging shingles that loose the integrity of their seal causing mass damage.
Roof Valleys
The valleys on your roof act as little river valleys on your roof. the water accumulates more and this larger quantity of water can really cause damage if these areas are not almost air tight. You must contract a roofer that will properly install these areas.
Wall Flashing
A wall step is similar to a head wall in that the roof is meeting a wall. However, the wall step is the slope that runs alongside a wall such as you might find on the side of a gable. Poorly installed or damaged flashing on a wall step can, not only allow leaks, but those leaks on the roof can cause interior drips that are far from the original leak or point of entry, making the leak hard to identify.
Chimneys
Chimneys are particular danger zones for roof problems. Unless they are at the peak they have both head walls and wall steps, Plus, chimneys can actually sag on rake edges causing gaps in the flashing. This is especially true in older chimneys.
Plumbing Vent Flashing
Your plumbing vents add a unique challenge for a roofer. Because they are round, its easy for poor roofers to leave gaps . Leaks from plumbing vents are especially dangerous to the home owner as they always drip noticeably. Often leaks in the flashing around a plumbing vent will run down the plumbing, soaking the wood, drywall and insulation, only to be noticed by rotting wood or an attic inspection.
There are also a variety of miscellaneous roof problems that we see from time to time. Satellite sway can cause damage to the roof around the mounts, tree branches touching the exterior can cause roof and siding problems, even wind blowing against your ridge vent can cause roof damage.
There are many other roof problems you might encounter. If you suspect your roof might be damaged or leaking, it is most important to hire an experienced roofer that will perform a permanent fix and not a cheap caulking or sealing job which will simply mask the real issue. Call us for a thorough inspection to make sure your roof is sound!
