Are you concerned with the condition of your roof due to some revealing signs you’ve recently noticed either inside your home or on the exterior, such as damaged shingles or visible water spots?
If you have already seen indications that your roof is need of a closer examination, it is important that you follow up with a Bay Area Roofing contractor in order to find out exactly what your roof is trying to tell you with such signs.
Common Roofing Issues
Wear and tear is a darned fact of life. It happens to everything — both living and nonliving. As with our bodies, parts of our home also need regular checking and proper her. This is especially true for the roof which is the frontline when it comes to elements — rain, shine, hail, and anything else that it receives a beating from.
Roofing issues may also depend on the type of roof you have and the roofing contractors you work with. So, really, it does not stop with the roof material you choose, roofing systems you install, and roof installation. We know it’s there and it’s sturdy, but the roof also needs proper care (and we continue to have a “roof over our head”).
Below are six common issues that homeowners experience with their roofs and how those issues are often a sign of a roof in duress.
1. Poor installation
It starts here. Faulty roof installations will bring about problems sooner rather than later when you don’t have a ready budget for roof repair just yet. So, from the get-go, work with professional roofing contractors. Your friends at Yorkshire Roofing are one message away. Request a quote from us today.
Signs that you might have had poor installation as may include:
- Incorrect tile placement
- Nails placed in the wrong place or too few used to hold down the tiles
- Guttering installed incorrectly
- Improperly fitted flashing
2. Roof leaks
A small leak can quickly turn into a big one. A small leak can easily cause big water damage to your ceiling. There are as many causes of roof leaks as there are roofs. That brings the number of causes to…endless (a sure way to avoid this is proper installation, folks).
Roof leaks may show signs:
- In areas near the chimney
- Under damaged shingles
- Around gutters
- At skylights
- Close to vents and pipes
3. Damage from trees
A tree limb or two could find their way into your roof. Trees are strong enough to penetrate cement so you can be sure they will be strong enough to cause damage to your roof. Branches rubbing against your roof alone can scratch away the protective top layer.
And, of course, when severe weather hits Northern California, overhanging trees can fall onto your house, damaging your roof. Your best bet is hiring a professional tree cutter to trim the branches on a regular basis. (Don’t be too quick to cut the tree down. It also helps purify the air and give you shade.)
4. Damage from water
Your roof is supposed to keep water out of your house. Or, if there is water (like during rainy weather), your roof is supposed to divert the water to the gutter and downspout and into your garden.
But if your roof is not properly installed, water could collect in a pool in your roof, and this is extra weight that your roof would have to bear. If this is not checked for and addressed immediately, there is certainly a danger that your roof would collapse.
5. Damage from snow and ice
When snow and ice melt, they turn into water. When water seeps into your roof, it seeps into your ceiling, and so on. The best way to avoid or manage this is by getting your roof inspected regularly — best during summer — to prepare for fall and winter. This is also the best time for repairs or roof replacement altogether if necessary.
6. Damage from mold and mildew
Mold and mildew are caused by moisture, and moisture is not always caused by water. Sometimes it is caused by the ever-changing weather, and heat is trapped, and it becomes moisture that is also trapped. Then mold and mildew are formed.
Mold and mildew could corrode parts of your roof, your ceiling, and even other parts of your house. Not to mention the health effects they could have on the house’s inhabitants, like “stuffy nose, wheezing, or red and itchy eyes and skin” (cdc.gov).
All these issues and problems could be avoided if:
- The roof is installed properly by professional roofing contractors
- There is proper maintenance and care by professional roofing contractors
What Roof Problems Do I Have If I Have…
Water spots on the ceiling?
In all likelihood, an accumulation of water spots on the ceiling of your home is an indication of a roof leak, but the tricky part comes in finding and pinpointing the exact location of the leak. So keep in mind that a slow-moving and small leak will be more difficult to find than a sizable leak and it is best to consult a professional Bay Area roofing contractor if you are in over your head. Also, remember that waterspouts on the ceiling do not always necessarily mean that your roof is leaking; rather in some cases, leaky windows or trapped condensation turns out to be the culprit.
Water spots appearing on exterior walls?
The cause of this water damage could be related to loose or rusted step flashing (point at which the roof meets a wall), or even possibly gaps between the siding materials. Since flashing- related damage is particularly tricky to repair and replace, it makes the most sense to hire a Bay Area Roofing company to perform this specific roofing job.
Gutters filled with granules from worn shingles?
While a small amount of loose granules is not a big cause for concern, granule loss becomes an issue when you begin to notice a substantial amount of granules coming through the downspouts every time it rains.
According to those in the Bay Area Roofing industry, a substantial loss of granules is very problematic because those granules serve as the shingles’ protective barrier against the intense UV rays of the sun and without them, the shingles become brittle, exposing your roof to water damage and leaks. If your roof’s shingles are nearing the end of their service life, consider getting in touch with your manufacturer to see if they are still covered under warranty.
Roof leaks when the weather fluctuates from warm to freezing temperatures?
Typically, if you are experiencing this problem it means that ice dams have formed on your roof, which are basically blocks of ice that build up on the roof and prevent the melting snow from draining down and off the roof. In an effort to stop ice dams from forming, Bay Area Roofing contractors often recommend to homeowners to improve the ventilation in their attic, so that the warm air stops escaping and melting the snow.
Black stains on the roof?
Looks like you may have algae growing on your roof, and while it may be unattractive, these algae pose no real structural threat to your roof or home. If you wish to lessen the accumulation of these black stains, try placing a zinc strip along the roof’s edge, which will help by releasing a fungicide every time it rains. Remember that most Bay Area Roofing contractors and maintenance persons recommend against power washing the algae off, as that can cause serious damage to the shingles.
A Final Word About Common Roofing Issues
When you observe these common roofing problems, act fast. Call your local professional roofing contractors before the problems get worse (and the bill gets bigger).
Working with professional roofing contractors is a worthwhile investment considering all the trouble that roofing issues and problems may cause your family in terms of budget, health, and peace of mind.
There is no price to peace and a good night’s sleep — and it begins with a solid roof above your head.
If you’re confused about what your roof is trying to tell you, call Yorkshire Roofing, your Bay Area Roofing contractor today! Our team of experienced roofers will help you figure out what is wrong with your roof before it becomes a bigger problem.