Different Types of Roof Problems

A roof is one of the most important features of your home. It is also one of the most commonly repaired parts of a home. Every roof requires some amount of maintenance. Maintaining your roof will not only help prevent problems, but also help find problems before they become severe. Perform a maintenance check on your roof at least twice a year or have a professional roofer do it for you. For asphalt shingled roofs (the most common roof type in North America), you’ll need to check for missed, peeled or curled shingles and remove any debris from the roof (such as twigs or branches). Below are the five most common roof problems that should look out for. 1. Roof Damage Damage can occur to a roof for any number of reasons. Mother nature is often the cause of roof damage as high winds can cause shingles to become loose. Homeowners often overlook other causes for a damaged roof. For example, roof damage leading to looks can occur from satellite mounting. Inspect your roof after satellite installation. 2. Faulty Design or Improper Installation Unfortunately, there are many roofers who claim to be professional who are just not. As a result, many roofs are improperly installed and result in damage. An improperly installed roof will likely have slipping shingles due to improper nail placement. Slipping shingles lads to leaks. 3. Shingle Damage Shingle damage can occur for many reasons: •    Branches or other debris that has fallen onto a roof. •    Tree branches touching the shingles surfaces. It’s important to trim braches that hang onto the roof. They will cause abrading of granules from the shingle material and lead to deterioration. •    Improper roof cleaning •    Snow rakes •    Improper ice dame removal •    Improper gutter or leak guard installation 4. Roof Leaks Roof leaks usually occur in the following places: •    From loose or missing shingles •    In the valley. This is the line where two roof planes intersect. If it wasn’t installed properly of if wear or tear occurs, then this area is prone to leaks. •    Flashings •    Chimney •    Skylight 5. Misc. Problems There are a number of other problems that can cause damage to your roof. If not fixed quickly, they problem can become severe and lead to leaks. •    Deteriorating heat vent •    Deteriorating plumbing boot •    A chimney without cricket or saddle Maintenance Tips The key to preventing roof leaks is through maintenance. Follow some of these basic steps to help prevent and identify problems. Here is a basic guide or how to inspect the exterior of your roof: Carefully climb onto your roof and begin the inspection: 1) Visually inspect shingles for damage or deterioration. Look for loose or missing shingles. Pay close attention to the side of the roof with the most direct sun exposure. 2) Inspect the chimney for cracks. 3) Inspect flashings. 4) Remove debris (such as leaves and branches). 5) Clear out gutters. Check for fine gravel-like granules in the gutters. This is a sign of shingle deterioration.