You may have major problems and not even know it.
No one wants to have to go running for a drip bucket every time it rains. Not only is having to stay on top of the weather forecast annoying and impractical, but that one small drip symbolizes a larger roofing issue – and we all know that roofing issues mean an investment of time and money.
Whether your roof is two years old or twenty keep this list should come in handy. You never know when it could mean the difference between doing a quick repair, a major remodel, or to build a mini-ark in your living room.
If you see or have any of these problems, calling a BBB A Plus rated contractor is a good idea. Companies like ABC Roofing Inc. are experts in roof installation and carry a GAF Roofing Certified Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor..
1. Cracked Flashing
Flashing are thin pieces of metal that are installed under shingles and on the joints of your roof in order to create a water-resistant barrier, which can be concealed or exposed. If exposed, they will look like long runs of sheet metal and, if concealed, they will have a rubberized coating overtop.
Broken flashing will feature large cracks
Some of the problems are caused because roofers often use tar to seal the flashing together and that can corrode over time. In the event that your flashing is left exposed, elements like wind and rain could be the reason behind its crack.
2. Broken Shingles
This one is easy to spot and you don’t necessarily need a ladder. Since shingles are the exterior layer of a roof, you should be able to identify missing shingles by seeing different-colored patches on your roof. Alternatively, you may find the shingles themselves littering your yard after a heavy storm.
People that live in Northeast Ohio should always be prepared for damage caused by rain, winds, snow, ice or all of the above.
3. Your Roof Valleys Aren’t Properly Sealed
An area where two planes of roof come together. Since, these areas of the roof are usually sloped, if the valleys are not sealed together properly, rainwater can get inside as it runs down the roof. You can detect a problem by searching for wet spots that run along the seams of your roof.
This can happen for a variety of reasons. The sealing may not have been done properly in the first place, it may have cracked when being stepped on, or an excess of rain and ice may have caused it to erode over time.
4. Ice Dam Buildup
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off. The combined weight of the ice itself can damage the roof, as well as the water just sitting on the roof’s surface. This can cause major problems to your home.
Here is the main cause. The heat from your attic (and the rest of your house) is above freezing, which causes some of the snowfall to melt, despite the cold temperatures outside. The water will then run between the roof’s surface and the snow and will refreeze into ice once it hit’s the roof’s exterior edge.
5. Cracked Vent Booting
Roof vents are those things that look like small pipes sticking out of the top of your roof. They’re used to expel excess moisture from the inside of the house. Leaks from this area will likely leave corresponding dark spots (and mustiness).
Roof vents are often sealed by placing some flashing around the opening and slipping a tight, rubber boot over the area where the pipe peeks out of the roof. Over time, the flashing can break or the roof can decay.
6. Clogged Gutters
Your gutters are meant to help water travel away from the roof. When a blockage forms and they get clogged, that travel stops. Rainwater will then pool in one area of the roof and have more of an opportunity to seep through cracks.
You may be able to see the leaves sticking out of the gutter when you look up onto your roof. But, if not, you should notice the lack of water trickling out of a downspout during a rainstorm.
7. Skylights Were Not Installed Properly
Leaks from this kind of problem should be super easy to spot. If you find yourself noticing wet spots or consistently needing to place drip buckets around the sides of your skylights, you’ve found the cause. However, leaks and wet spots near the top of the skylight may be a flashing issue instead.
There are two main causes for this type of leak. Improperly measuring and fitting the skylights upon installation or decayed insulation along the skylights edges.
8. Cracked Chimney
Most of the time, you can look for signs of wear and tear along the mud cap, or mortared area around the top of the chimney. You should also look for any holes in the mortared joints where the chimney connects with the roof. Also, be on the lookout for loose flashing and shingles in the surrounding area.
Mortar is essentially just a thick mixture of water, sand, and cement. It erodes easily in harsh weather conditions.
9. You’re Using It Too Much
Unfortunately, there is no way to differentiate if this is the cause of the leak. However, all homeowners should be careful with how often they venture out on to their roofs. Walking all over the roof is never a good idea especially if you are heavy.
As you can see from the other causes in this post, a lot of roofing material is very fragile. You may accidentally step on a crucial element or crack an already precarious seal.
10. Condensation In Your Attic
A leak is most likely coming from your attic if the space shows signs of mold growth or mildew. A strong, musty odor emanating from the attic is also a key that water has gotten inside.
As the uppermost part of your home, the attic is trapped between indoor and outdoor temperatures. When those clash – think hot summers and cold winters – condensation will form and moisture will follow.
With the right care regimen, every roof should have the ability to keep your family warm and dry for decades. IF you do see ANY of these problems, your best choice is to call a qualified roofing and gutter contractor that are experts in exterior home improvements. Calling ABC Roofing Inc. can save you big money in the long run.
