Becoming a new homeowner can be a daunting task. A house requires a lot of maintenance and repairs to keep it in good shape. Roofs, in particular, require regular maintenance. Fortunately, that’s exactly what we’re here to help with when it comes to keeping your roof healthy.
Common Roof Problems
Today, we’re going to go over the most common roof problems that you might encounter as a homeowner. We’ll go over the ins and outs of how to spot these problems, what they’re caused by, and how to fix them.
Missing Shingles
A homeowner might encounter missing or broken shingles as one of the most common roofing problems.
Strong winds and storms can blow off one or multiple shingles at a time. Hail, on the other hand, can crack or break them. Even sudden temperature changes can negatively affect on your shingles, causing them to expand and contract too much.
However, whether a shingle is missing or damaged does not matter. Any damage to a shingle can leave your roof vulnerable to the elements. That’s why it’s essential to replace the broken shingles ASAP. If this happens to you, give your local roofing company a call, and they’ll be able to repair the area.
Roof Leak
Any asphalt roof is made up of numerous shingles. Unfortunately, this also means plenty of possible spots for water to penetrate. Any time a shingle is damaged or blown off, it leaves that area vulnerable to rain. If this rain finds a crevice to trickle down, it can form pools of water or moist areas on your ceilings and walls. Water damage not only hurts the appearance of your home is also difficult and costly to repair. The easiest thing to do is prevent roof leaks in the first place.
Regular maintenance is vital to preventing roof leaks. Performing just one or two roofing yearly roofing inspections allows you to stay ahead of many roofing problems. A trained roofing specialist can get on your roof and locate any broken or missing shingles. This way, you can repair the area before the first drops of rain make their way into your home.
Gutter Damage
Unlike shingles, gutters are meant to catch and redirect water. This allows for large amounts of water to be deposited off the side of your roof in a safe area. Since they’re meant to catch water, gutters are particularly prone to cloggings and overfilling. Leaves, branches, ice, and other outdoor objects can easily create congestion in your gutters. This, in turn, can cause your gutters to overflow and create pools of water on your roof, increasing your chances of developing a leak. Too much water and debris can even harm the gutters themselves, pulling them downwards and possibly even damaging them.
The best way to combat this is regular maintenance (cleaning out any debris as it gathers) and replacing the gutters if they are permanently damaged.
Damaged Flashing
Similarly to shingles, flashing is also meant to protect your roof from rain and snow. Unlike shingles, however, flashing is typically made of metal and applied to cracks and crevices. For example, the area between a chimney or skylight and the rest of the roof might require flashing. If you notice that a piece of flashing has become detached (i.e., is dangling or has flown off entirely), try to get it repaired asap. Like shingles, missing flashing can also leave you vulnerable to water damage.
Worn-Out Shingles
Now that we’ve talked a bit about how storms and strong winds can affect your shingles, let’s talk a bit about normal wear and tear.
Even in the mildest climates, with no surprise storms, roofs do not last forever. That is because even mild winds and snow can wear down your roof over time.
Here are some common signs that it’s time to replace your roof:
Shingle Granule Loss
That sandy, granular surface that shingles have is actually by design. Granule helps protect shingles from UV rays and makes them more durable against weather and debris.
Granule loss typically happens over long periods of time and can indicate that it’s time for a full roof replacement.
Sagging Roof
A roof can begin to sag for any number of reasons. In cold climates, large amounts of snow are a particularly common cause of roof sagging. That’s why it’s important to maintain your roof and remove snow regularly.
If your roof was installed incorrectly or with low-quality materials in the first place, that could increase its chances of sagging. Contact a roofing company immediately if you notice any sagging in your roof.
Shingles That Are Curling Or Otherwise Warped
Curling shingles are a very common sign of an older roof. Over time, moisture, heat, storms, and other weather conditions can wear away at shingles and cause them to curl or buckle. Improper installation can cause the shingles to deteriorate even faster.
Preventing Roof Damage
Now that we’ve talked a bit about various roofing problems, let’s talk about how to prevent and repair them.
First, the best way to prevent unnecessary roof damage is by ensuring that you get your annual (or bi-annual) roof inspections. You can either try to do these yourself or hire a roofing specialist. The safest and surest way to do a quality inspection, however, is by hiring a professional roofing company. They’ll be able to get on top of the roof for you, look into every nook and cranny, and even check out your attic for any possible leaks. An inspection will also involve checking that all of the necessary flashing is in place and doesn’t need replacement.
Cleaning is another important aspect of maintenance. Your gutters require regular declogging and clearing out to prevent blockages and pooling water. Some things that you may find in your gutters include leaves, sticks, branches, pebbles, and other debris.
If your roof grows large amounts of algae or moss, hire a roof cleaning company to wash that off. This prevents the algae from creating unsightly streaks and lowering your roof’s curb appeal.
Do keep in mind that not all roofing problems can simply be repaired. According to Angi, asphalt shingles typically “last 20 to 30 years”. This means that your roof will eventually require a full replacement. The exact lifespan of your roof, however, will depend on the material it’s made of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few additional answers to commonly asked questions.
How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last?
The exact lifespan of asphalt shingles depends on a variety of factors, such as the quality of installation, maintenance, and type of shingles used. For example, according to Angi, 3-tab shingles last about 20 years, and architectural shingles last 30 years.
How Much Is A New Roof?
The cost of a roof depends on the material or shingle used, the size of the roof, and labor costs. According to HomeAdvisor, the typical cost of replacing a roof is about “$5,709 – $12,313”.
How To Get Insurance To Pay For Roof Replacement?
Whether or not your home insurance covers your roofing costs depends on your insurance policy. Talk to one of our staff members for tips on giving yourself the best chance of having your roof repairs covered.
Roofing In Mt. Juliet
Here at Austermiller Roofing, you can expect great quality at a great price. Our company has over 30 years of experience with both residential and commercial roofing. We offer a variety of services, including leak repair, flashing installation, full roof replacements, leak detection, metal roofing, and much more.
If you see any telltale signs of wear and tear on your roof, don’t hesitate to get a roofing inspection. A professional can assess the state of your roof and recommend repairs for anything that looks compromised. Best of all, we offer FREE roofing quotes. In fact, we’ll even come to your property and measure the roofing area, so you don’t have to.
We take a lot of pride in our work and always go the extra mile for our clients. That’s why we also offer lots of great warranties. Simply call to ask one of our staff members for more info. If you’re planning on filing an insurance claim, we can also offer some help with that — just ask.
To contact us for your FREE quote, simply call or fill out our online form, and someone from our team will be in touch.