A roof renovation or repair job may represent a significant financial investment, but it can also pay off in numerous ways. In addition to enhanced comfort and safety, a much-needed roof renovation can boost your home’s resale value while preventing other costly damage to your residence.
An awareness of common roof problems can help you respond quickly by scheduling the necessary inspections, repairs, or renovations. Pay attention to these four common cries for help from your roof.
- Water Damage
A healthy roof can withstand wind and rain without allowing water to creep through its protective outer layers. Unfortunately, a variety of problems can cause gaps in this protection, which, in turn, can lead to serious structural or cosmetic damage to your home.
If your home has a flat roof, you may struggle with ponding or standing water puddles after heavy rains. If this water doesn’t disappear within about 48 hours, you may have a problem with the roof’s drainage mechanisms. You may to have your roofing technician clear out clogged rains or even install additional drains.
Your flat roof may prove less flat than you thought. Sagging or improperly pitched areas may naturally collect water, indicating that you need to re-pitch the roof to a flatter standard.
Water can also collect on a traditional sloped residential roof, especially if you’ve installed gutters that lack the capacity to handle large amounts of runoff or angle inward toward the roof. Clogged gutters can also allow water to pool onto the roof, while damaged flashing can permit this backwash to permeate the underlying structures.
If your family has started experiencing asthma or allergies, these symptoms may indicate roof or attic moisture infiltration. A chronically soggy roof can start to rot, causing the roof to sag visibly. If you notice this change, you may need to replace the roof immediately to avoid a dangerous collapse.
- Discoloration
Roofs exposed to the elements for many years may develop discolorations. These discolorations don’t just turn your home into an eyesore — they may also signal that the roof has developed functional problems.
The color of the stains can help you identify the probable cause. For instance, reddish-brown stains running down from the joints of the roof probably mean that your metal chimney flashing or antenna mount has started to rust. Darker stains may come from soot, algae growth, or accumulated organic debris.
- Loose Granules
Asphalt shingles get their rough texture from the countless tiny granules coating their top surfaces. These granules play some important functions in the shingles’ well-being, including protection against fire and ultraviolet radiation. Shingles that have lost their granules cannot protect your home the way they should.
If your roof features asphalt shingles, note any apparent changes in texture. Check your gutters and driveway for dark or sandy-looking specks that used to serve as shingle granules. These clues should trigger a call to your roofing service specialist for an inspection and possible shingle replacement.
- Missing or Broken Roofing Materials
A roof problem often has visual evidence such as a broken or missing roof component. Look at your roof, lawn, and driveway for signs of detached shingles following a heavy wind, hail, or rain storm. Address these gaps in your roof’s protection right away.
Roofing materials can fail while remaining firmly attached to the roof. Clay roof tiles may crack or break under pressure from ice storms or foot traffic. Wooden or asphalt shingles can also develop cracks, either from direct trauma or as a consequence of recurring thermal expansion and contraction.
Whether you want a whole new roof or you just need to replace some damaged shingles, D.S. Bahr Construction, Inc., can help you strengthen and beautify this critical part of your home. Contact us today for an estimate.