Common Residential Roofing Issues
As a homeowner, it’s imperative to make sure your roof remains healthy. Your roof keeps the elements out while keeping you safe and secure inside. Over time, though, every roof will experience damages, whether that comes from a major storm or through regular wear and tear.
What Are the Most Common Residential Roofing Issues?
When parts of your roof system experience damage, it can put the rest of your roof’s integrity at risk. Let’s take a look at some of the most common residential roofing issues that you might come across.
Leaking
Leaking is one of the most common signs that your roof has been damaged. It often occurs when the seal of your roof has been compromised. If you notice that you have stains or discoloration on your walls and ceilings, you can typically assume that your residential roof is leaking.
However, many leaks are harder to detect. Water has the ability to travel very far—even down the most gentle of slopes—so a detectable leak in one area of your home could be a sign of other, hidden leaks. These leaks can cause unseen damage to the interior of your home, rotting support beams and allowing mold to grow. In either case, this water damage can put you at risk; decaying beams lose their structural integrity and mold can be harmful for your health.
If you notice that your roof is leaking, be sure to contact a residential roofing company right away to save your home from incurring more water damage.
Pooling Water
One of your roof’s primary tasks is to divert water away from your home. If your home has a flat or low-pitch roof, it is at a higher risk of pooling water, but this issue can occur on a variety of roof shapes.
Pooling occurs when water isn’t properly diverted to a gutter, downspout, or scupper. When this happens, the water can collect in one area of your roof instead. This standing water can then seep through the roofing material and cause damage to the interior membrane and roof deck. Pooling water also adds extra weight to your roof, which, over time, can cause it to sag. A sagging roof is a clear indication of structural issues and that your roof needs immediate repair or replacement.
So, if you notice water pooling on your roof, it’s highly recommended that you contact a residential roofer before any further damage occurs.
Do you need immediate roof repair? New Image Roofing guarantees a 24-hour response time, even during high volume times after a storm.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
Your shingles are the outermost layer of your roof system. Most residential roofs use asphalt shingles because they are very durable and cost effective. However, since they act as your roof’s vanguard against the elements, they will likely experience some damage over time.
In Georgia, the high summer heat can actually cause shingles to curl. This can expose the underlying roofing material, putting the rest of the roof at risk of water damage. In addition, curled shingles can increase the likelihood of wind damage; the raised area of the shingle can act like a sail and catch the wind. This can loosen or even dislodge the shingles, which will expose more of your roofing material to the elements.
If you notice that your residential roof has damaged or missing shingles, it could be a sign that you’re in need of roofing repair. A roofing contractor can provide you with an inspection and determine the full scope of damage to your roof.
Warped or Damaged Flashing
Much like your roof’s asphalt shingles, flashing is also at the forefront of your roof’s defense. Flashing is the thin metal roofing material used to seal the various intersections of your rooftop. You can find it at corners, around roof penetrations, or at seams where two sections of roof meet. Flashing redirects water from these areas, preventing it from slipping through the cracks.
Although flashing helps protect your home from the elements, it itself is not immune to them. In high heat, flashing can expand and warp. When it cools, it shrinks, exposing the seams it’s meant to protect.
If you notice that your flashing is damaged, you’ll need to contract a residential roofing service to explore the extent of the damage. Repairing or replacing your damaged flashing promptly ensures that your roof’s seams are secure and waterproof.
Fallen Trees Limbs or Roof Debris
If you have trees around your home, their branches will sometimes fall onto your roof. Storms and strong winds can also deposit tree limbs and debris. When these objects fall onto your roof, they can damage the asphalt shingles, flashing, or other roofing materials by creating cracks where water can get in. If these objects are left on top of your roof for too long, they can also break down and further degrade the roofing material.
To avoid damage from fallen tree limbs or debris on your roof, you can do two things. First, make sure that you trim any overhanging branches around your home. This reduces the chance that they will fall onto your roof and damage it in the first place. Second, remove debris from your rooftop and gutters. This prevents the debris from breaking down on your roofing material and causing damage.
How Can I Deal With These Roofing Issues?
Regardless of the issue, the best way to maintain the health of your residential roof is to contract a roofing company. Roofing is dangerous work, so it’s not recommended that you try to tackle these issues yourself. Residential roofers are trained to spot and deal with all of the possible issues that your roof may experience. With a residential roofer by your side, you can rest assured that your issues will be dealt with promptly and professionally.
Your Atlanta Roofing Expert
At New Image Roofing, we’ve repaired and replaced thousands of roofs in the Atlanta area, and we are proud to offer you the highest quality residential roofing services for your home. Whether you need new shingles and flashing or leak repair, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for all of your Atlanta roofing needs.
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New Image Roofing is a full service roof replacement and repair company servicing commercial and residential customers throughout Atlanta and the Metro-Atlanta Area.