When water spots appear on the ceiling, the roof must be assessed for damage. Repair or replacement will vary in cost, depending on the roof’s condition and the property’s long-term plans.The type of roof has the largest impact on costs, with some materials being more difficult to work with than others. Other factors include:
A damaged shingle or missing tile can let in drafts and raise your energy bills. Professional Roofers can repair or replace the damaged material so that your home is warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Some of the most common roofing problems are caused by wind. Wind can cause shingles to lift and expose tar paper or wood decking underneath. It can also tear or crack tiles. The problem is exacerbated by older or poorly-installed shingles.
One of the first signs of roof damage from wind is dark spots on a shingle. This is caused when granules, which protect the shingle’s asphalt coating from harmful UV rays, are blown off. While it’s normal to lose a few granules from time to time, many dark spots indicate that the shingles are wearing down rapidly.
Wind and hail can also damage a metal roof. On a metal roof, hail damage will usually show up as dents in the surface of the roof. The dents can allow water to seep into the house. It’s important to check for dents on a regular basis, as they can be difficult to spot from the ground.
In addition to wind and hail, other weather events can damage a roof. A tornado can rip off shingles or lift them up, leaving the underside exposed. A hurricane can lift up a shingle or two, creating a space where a leak could occur.
A missing shingle or tab doesn’t necessarily mean that your roof will immediately leak, but it can lead to further damage over time. Shingles are arranged in a staggered pattern so that they cover seams between the ones above. If a single shingle is missing, this will leave the seams exposed to weather and sunlight, which can wear them down much faster.
If you spot a hole in your roof, contact a professional roofer as soon as possible. You should never attempt to patch a roof yourself, as you could worsen the damage and make the leaks more severe. In addition, some insurance companies will refuse to pay a claim if homeowners make their own roof repairs instead of calling in a qualified professional.
Damaged Flashing
A roof’s flashing is an important part of its structure. It is made of metal strips that are positioned along all seams and joints in a roof. It is also installed around chimneys, dormers, skylights, vents and other structures on your roof. The purpose of the flashing is to create a seal and prevent water from getting into areas that are not protected by shingles. When the flashing is damaged, leaks are likely to follow.
Flashing is prone to damage from wind, acid rain, hail and severe weather. In coastal neighborhoods, exposure to salt air is another threat that can cause flashing to corrode. The flashing is also vulnerable to holes and gaps. These can occur due to poor installation or age-related wear. These problems allow moisture to enter the building, causing other issues like mold and rot.
Even the smallest holes can lead to leaks in the future if left untreated. It is a good idea to schedule regular roofing inspections with a professional, who can catch these small issues before they grow into significant problems.
Some of the most common signs that your flashing needs repair are brown spots on your ceiling and dripping water. Often, it is difficult to pinpoint the source of these issues because water can enter the home from places far away from the actual point of entry.
Another common problem is billowing, which occurs when large sections of the flashing membrane detach and flutter with high winds. This type of damage is usually caused by poor installation or maintenance and can result in the entire membrane blowing off the roof. A roofing professional can correct this by cutting the damaged portion of the membrane and sealing it with a patch.
Failing flashing is one of the most serious issues that can affect your roof, so it’s essential to take action if you notice any of these problems. A premier local roofing contractor can inspect your roof and determine if you need to make repairs to the flashing. They will have the skills and knowledge to identify and fix any problems with the flashing before they turn into costly roof leaks.
Pooling Water
While it is completely normal for some standing water to exist on low slope roofs after rain or snow, it becomes a problem when this water stays for more than two days rather than quickly evaporating. This is when it starts to cause a lot of damage to the roof and can lead to a lot more expensive roof repairs or replacements than needed.
The main reason ponding water causes so much trouble is that it puts a great deal of pressure on the structure of the building below. The weight of the water causes the joists and beams to bow. This can cause a number of problems, including leaks, because the structure is now weaker.
In addition to this, the ponding water can also damage insulation. This can be especially problematic because it creates a vicious cycle. The water gets in and causes the insulation to be saturated, which means that it needs more time to dry out again. This creates more ponding water that builds up even faster, and so on.
This is why it is important to have a professional roofer come and check your roof regularly, especially after any major storms. They will be able to see these problems before they start causing serious damage and help you prevent them.
One way that they can do this is to use a tarp to cover the problem area until they can fix it. This is a quick and easy solution, but it is also a good idea to have your roof repaired as soon as you notice any signs of damage.
If you have a flat roof, it is also important to ensure that your roofing contractor isn’t using tar that contains asbestos, which could cause a lot of health problems for you and your family. A good roofer should be able to tell when this is the case and will replace the tarp with a safer type of material. In addition, they should make sure that they are not compressing the insulation in your flat roof while they are working on it. This can be caused by heavy roofing equipment resting on the insulation as they are installing it.
Mold Growth
If you notice a brown, fuzzy, green or black fungus growing on the shingles of your roof, it’s time to call in the professionals. Not only is the mold unsightly, but it also poses health risks for everyone in your home. Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, including coughing, wheezing, eye irritation and sinus congestion. These reactions are particularly dangerous for infants, pregnant women and the elderly.
If left unchecked, a mold problem can also compromise the structural integrity of your roof. Mold spores can eat through wood, causing it to decompose and eventually rot. This puts your entire house at risk, especially the interior walls and ceiling drywall. Mold also creates a damp environment that provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
Leaking roofs often lead to a mold problem, and the best way to stop it is to have the leak fixed as soon as possible. There are two types of mold growth that can result from a roof leak — systemic or limited growth. Systemic growth happens when a roof leak causes excessive moisture buildup in the attic. This excess moisture causes condensation and ultimately leads to mold spores spreading throughout the attic. Limited growth takes place when a roof leak only impacts one or more specific areas of the attic.
The best way to prevent both kinds of mold growth is to have regular roof inspections and repair any problems right away. You should also clean out gutters regularly and make sure downspouts are properly functioning.
Another cause of roof mold is a lack of ventilation in your attic space. This can be caused by a blocked attic vent or insufficient ventilation in the attic itself. Proper attic ventilation is achieved through soffit and eave vents along the bottom of the attic, and it’s important that these aren’t clogged or improperly functioning.
If you suspect a leaking or damaged roof, contact the roofing experts at MAC Roofing and Sheet Metal. We can repair your roof, and we offer a full range of residential and commercial roofing services.
