Seven Most Obvious Signs You Need Roof Repair
by Guest on Feb 22, 2022
Do you pay sufficient attention to the condition of your roof? If not, you should no longer take it for granted. These structures protect houses and building from weather elements and pests while providing a comfortable living or working atmosphere.
There are various signs for individuals to look out for, both in residential and commercial roofs, such as leaks, damaged shingles, standing water, shrinkage, clogged gutters, snow and ice damage, etc. They serve to warn homeowners and building owners their roofs need repair.
Have a look at each of these warning signs in detail.
Leaks
Probably the most obvious sign of roof damage is a leak. There are numerous reasons why a leak might develop, such as broken shingles, damaged flashing, missing tiles, severe weather conditions, etc. Irrespective of the exact cause, leaks might cause structural problems if left untreated for too long. Hence, both residential and commercial roofs should be regularly inspected for water damage.
In most cases, leaks have a tendency to occur under damaged shingles, in close proximity to the chimney, at flashing points, near gutters, in valleys, and close to pipes and vents. Upon noticing any of these signs, individuals should hire professional roofers to find the leak source and repair the damage. Leaks are best repaired by professionals, as most surfaces are slippery, particularly metal, slate, and tile.
Damaged shingles
Another unmistakable sign of roof damage that requires repair is the presence of damaged shingles. This issue is particularly common in residential roofs. Shingles can sustain damage from different sources, including debris, high winds, severe storms, sun exposure, debris, age, etc. Even though deteriorated shingles aren’t a pressing matter, they should be repaired or replaced within a reasonable timeframe.
Unless fixed or repaired on time, they’ll keep on exposing the roof to damage. Professional roofers have the necessary tools to break the seal between the shingles, remove the deteriorated ones, and nail the new ones in place.
Shrinkage
Another frequent sign of roof damage that requires immediate repair is shrinkage, mainly present in commercial roofs. When a roofing material shrinks, it usually leads to other issues like cracking, deterioration, and damaged flashing. These problems occur because of the added pressure caused by the shrinkage of materials.
Shrinkage frequently affects roof surfaces covered with EPDM, referring to a synthetic membrane made from rubber. There are numerous Springfield commercial roofing professionals who provide high-quality commercial roofing services. Such roofers can help you repair the cracks and tears near the flashing, which usually result from shrinkage. The best way to prevent shrinkage is by hiring professional installation and scheduling regular inspections.
Damaged flashing
Damaged flashing is another obvious sign that individuals are supposed to hire repair services. The role of the flashing is to keep the most protruding areas sealed and protected from leaks. The usual areas where such flashing is installed include the skylights, venting pipes, the area around the chimney, or near heating/cooling systems placed on the roof.
Heating and cooling systems should be properly secured to roofing structures to avoid problems right from the start. When flashing sustains damage, the seams responsible for sealing the roof open up and lead to an array of problems. Therefore, upon noticing any signs of damaged flashing, don’t wait too long before hiring professional roofers.
Clogged gutters
Clogged gutters are another indicator of roof damage that has the potential to result in hefty repair if not fixed on time. Unless gutters are maintained on a regular basis, water will start to backlog into the roofing system. Additionally, vegetation starts growing in the gutter, which enhances water damage and leads to the rotting of the rafting tails.
The solution to this roofing problem is relatively simple, as it requires an annual gutter inspection to prevent it from happening. Professional roofers are experienced in cleaning and maintaining gutters by removing dead leaves, plants, and other types of debris. They also inspect the condition of the gutters and their attachment to the fascia. You might be suggested to install screens on the gutters to minimize the debris amount that accumulates.
Standing water
Another obvious sign that your roof needs repair is the presence of standing water. It mainly happens to flat roofs, which start sinking in certain areas. It’s of crucial importance for the water to drain off to impede serious issues. Pooled water creates continuous moisture, which results in further problems like mildew, mold, algae, rot, etc.
It takes a certain time for the water to seep into the support system and cause serious structural damage. Since standing water is usually formed on flat roofs, commercial building owners need to consider an appropriate solution for preventing water from damaging the structure, such as forming tapered areas over the surface. These slopes will allow the water to run off.
Snow and ice damage
Individuals living in areas where winter is harsh should look for signs of snow and ice damage. Poor ventilation is one of the causes of ice dam creation in winter, referring to the process of snow accumulation and its cycle of freezing and thawing. When the snow melts, it ends up under the shingles, but it refreezes when temperatures drop below zero.
Over time, the process of thawing and refreezing will push the shingles and flashing up, thus exposing the roof underneath. The greater the exposure, the stronger the cycle. It eventually leads to the creation of big chunks of ice and icicles, which look attractive but pose a real threat to your structural support.
The best method for preventing winter conditions from damaging your roof is by scheduling routine inspections in both spring and autumn. As a result, you’ll prepare the structure for the upcoming winter during the autumn inspection and check for any damage caused by winter conditions during the spring inspection.
To sum up
These signs should never be ignored just because you don’t feel like dealing with roofers.
The longer you wait, the more serious the damage!
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
65346 Views
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
63502 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
59006 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
40269 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
25251 Views
Latest Articles
When Does My Roof Need to be Replaced?
Your home is probably the most valuable asset you own. In the interest of maintaining its value, it will need some maintenance over time. Included...
on May 20, 2022
6 Reasons Why Your House Is Not Selling
As soon as you decide that you need to sell your house, time starts to fly. As of June 2021, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported...
on May 17, 2022
14 Tips and Tricks to Help You Unpack Efficiently After Moving
Moving is in itself a monumental project taking a lot of planning and time. Once you have made it to your new home along with your belongings, a...
on May 9, 2022
What is the Average Cost to Repair a Foundation?
The most important part of any structure is the foundation, considering that it gives support to everything above it and ensures that the structure...
on Apr 26, 2022
6 Favored Methods for Foundation Waterproofing You Should Know
If you have ever walked down to your basement and noticed a small trickle of water or a small puddle on the floor, you may dismiss it as no big...
on Apr 24, 2022
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Juan Plumbing - Learn about SCAMs
on Sep 17, 2021
Hire Contractors / Estimates

I can firmly say, I'm only trying to be an advocate for a neighbor that is a DISABLED SENIOR who was taken advantage of in this SCAM. I feel the...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 258
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 233
- Real Estate / Finance — 190
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 181
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 145
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 138
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 114
- Plumbing / Basements — 114
- Doors / Garages — 112
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
5 Tips to Dust Your Home Efficiently
Absolutely everyone likes a clean house. A house with just a bit too much grime and gross stuff hanging around isn’t going to be impressing any of...
Options for Cleaning the Air in Your Home
Every day, we are exposed to chemicals, toxins, dust, and dirt in our air. The air we breathe is required to continue to live, and it is a huge...
Reasons to Replace Your Corona HVAC or Air Conditioning Unit
If you are a homeowner, it is important to have the right air conditioner in place in your home. If your unit is older, it might be time to replace...
Things You Should Know before You Hire a Company for Removing Junk
Your home and workplace can produce lots of items that you may not need either because they have become old or worn out or serve no purpose in your...
8 Factors to Consider before Starting a Landscaping Project
Everyone dreams of owning a beautiful home with elegant landscape designs. Unfortunately, few individualize their dreams. Determine why you need to...