Common Roofing Problems & Their Solutions

Your roof is one of the most critical parts of your house because it’s your first line of defense against the elements. If your roof is in tip-top shape, you’ll be well protected against rain, hail, snow, and ice. However, when your roof becomes damaged, you’re likely to experience water leaks, mold, mildew, and other problems. Also, a roof that’s in good shape helps the resale value of your home.

Lastly, your roof keeps your energy costs down. If you have an efficient roof, you can save money on your heating and cooling bills, however, an inefficient roof is going to cost you year in and year out.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the most common roofing problems, and how to fix them, so your roof remains in great shape and continues to offer superior protection year after year.

A leaky roof is one of the most common problems affecting roofs everywhere, and the symptoms are readily apparent with just a visual inspection. If you see stains across your ceilings or running down your walls, or if you notice the buildup of mold and mildew, chances are a leaky roof is the culprit. Roof leaks are caused by many factors, such as age, the slope of the roof, damage due to severe weather or debris, or improper sealing of roof vents.

roof repair

Roof Leaks

Once you’ve seen water damage, you’ll have to trace the stains back to the source, which often is in the attic. If you’re able, run water over the roof with a hose and see if you can spot where the leak is occurring.

Once you’ve determined what is causing the leak, repair it. In some instances, a leaky roof can be repaired by merely replacing damaged or missing shingles with new ones. Cracked asphalt shingles can be repaired with roof sealant as a temporary fix until you can replace them. If you’re using wood shakes, replace any that are damaged.

Flashing That Are Incorrectly Installed

Flashing seals the roof where it’s been penetrated with things like vents, chimneys, and cooling systems. If the flashing wasn’t installed correctly, the seams would open and allow water to come in or shingles to blow away.

Repairing roof flashing isn’t too difficult, and if you’re handy, you can do it yourself. Small holes can be quickly patched with roofing cement, and more massive holes can be repaired by using a patch of the same material the original flashing is made from.

However, in cases where the flashing is severely damaged or if the hole is too large, it will have to be replaced. In this case, you may want to call in a professional roofer to do the job and get a guarantee that the job is done right.

Damaged Soffit

Soffit is the material that connects your roof’s overhang with the side of your house. This material is both functional and aesthetic, but it’s vital to your roof’s function and the protection of your home.

Like many roofing problems, soffit becomes damaged due to water, and improperly installed gutters are a significant cause of this water damage. When the gutters aren’t properly removing water from the roof, the water sits on the edge of the shingles and eventually drips down to rot the soffit.

If the soffit is severely damaged, you’ll be able to see the rot plainly. However, early signs of soffit damage are bubbles under the paint and watermarks.

To replace the damaged soffit, you should call in a professional to replace the rotted wood and design the soffit to match the style and look of the remaining soffit and house.

Animals

Yes, animals are also a significant problem when it comes to roofing problems. Even if your roof is weatherproof against hail and driving winds, they’re often no match for the critters that like to nest there.

Common animals that cause roofing damage are:

  • Squirrels
  • Birds
  • Mice
  • Raccoons
  • Rats
  • Bats

Most of these animals seek the warmth and shelter provided by the attic, and they’ll use any means necessary to burrow in through the roof to get there. Animals can also find their way in through damaged soffit or vents.

And damaging your roof is only the beginning. Once inside the house, the animals can damage wiring and chew up wood.

To protect your roof against animals, make it tough for them to get onto the roof in the first place. That means trimming any branches that hang over the roof and make sure your gutters are clean to prevent birds from nesting there.

Also, inspect your attic regularly and look for signs of animals such as droppings or nesting material.

Depending on the type of infestation you have, you may have to call in an exterminator for help and repair the damage once the animal has been disposed of.

Damaged Shingles

Since roof leaks are a major headache for homeowners, damaged shingles are one of the major causes of a leaky roof. Shingles become damaged due to age or due to weather.

Depending on the type of shingle you have, the years of heat and cold can cause them to blister and crack, which leads to water leaking in. If you have an older roof, it’s vital that you perform regular inspections to ensure that the shingles are intact and in good shape. If you find any that need repair, take care of that at once because letting it go can lead to more significant, more expensive repairs down the road.

Lack of Maintenance

As with anything, problems arise and get worse because people don’t perform proper or frequent maintenance. Your roof can last a long time if you take time once or twice a year to inspect it and fix those little problems now.

The more attention you pay to your roof, the longer it’s going to last, and the less you’re going to have to spend on it throughout the years. And the less you have to deal with any roofers