The Most Common Roof Problems

As a homeowner, one of your most important responsibilities is maintaining your roof. You may have a tendency to ignore or forget about your roof since it is out of sight and out of mind. Furthermore, many homeowners assume they can easily spot a problem with their roof.

This is simply not true. Local roofers sometimes miss spotting potential problems with their roofs. To know what to look for when it comes to rooftop repair, you need training, skills, and hands-on experience. A roof’s structural integrity can be saved by detecting this kind of issue early.

Among the most common roofing problems are:

• Inadequate maintenance – You should inspect your roof every year. A professional inspection should also be scheduled after any severe weather event. Throughout the course of time, your roof can develop many problems, and you need to be on top of maintaining it regularly. Roofs that are sagging, mildew-ridden, or have large holes are usually signs of neglect.
• Repairs undertaken improperly – This is the most serious offense, since it means the homeowner hired someone to complete the task. In most cases, there is not much you can do to prevent it except to choose a reputable contractor. Most shady contractors bid on a project then cut corners because they’ll still get paid for completing the job, and it’ll be months or years before anybody discovers what they did.
• Damage from storms – Weather conditions can cause storm-related damage no matter what season it is. Heavy winds, hail, rain, lightning, or even a broken branch can all cause serious damage to your roof. You should have your roof inspected following any weather related events. If you do not file an insurance claim in time, you may have to pay for these damages yourself.
• Roof leaks – If your roof develops a leak, then there is a problem. Your roof is similar to the lid of a container. The lid keeps everything inside dry. Once that is compromised, all you can hope for is to fix it as soon as possible to minimize the damage. A leak can occur for a number of reasons; the concern is that they are detected in time so they can be repaired and cleaned up.
• Moisture – In general, moisture is not a concern when there are no leaks present, but this is not always the case. When moisture builds up over time, it will cause problems, especially if left unchecked. Mold and mildew will grow in moist environments, which will lead to rot. However, if it gets into the walls, it poses a threat to the structure of the house, which is the worst part of the problem.
• Poor Installation – As with poor repair work by so-called professionals, some roofing contractors might just be in it for the quick bucks. It may even happen that someone who is completely unqualified for the job takes on the job. Detecting a problem can take years, but once the problem develops, it is generally too late for a quick fix. At the very least, a new roof is likely to be necessary.