7 Common Roof Problems

Spotting signs of roof damage early on and taking steps to fix them will save you time and money. To determine whether roof repairs are required, as a property owner, you must be aware of problems that commonly occur. Being proactive with roofing problems will ensure you get the maximum life span out of your roof.

Common Roof Problems:

1. Roof Vent Damage
The typical problem with vents is that they become brittle due to continuous exposure to the outside elements If you find signs of wear or cracks in the vents, you should seek the assistance of a roofing contractor.

2. Gutter Problems
Plugged, sagging, leaking, and improper slope are few of the typical gutter issues.

• Clean the gutters regularly and ensure that debris does not accumulate.
• Seal the joints by caulking them with the proper gutter sealant.
• For the water to drain, ensure that the gutter is sloped towards the downspouts.

3. Damaged Shingles
Damage to the shingles can be in the form of missing, folded, curling, cracking, and blistering. This can be caused due to environmental conditions.

4. Faulty Flashing
Roof flashing acts as a defence in areas of transition such as where the roof meets a wall or an eave edge or around penetrations in the roof. You might end up with flashing problems if you use low-quality materials or if the installation is not correct. Additionally, extreme weather conditions can also cause damages. It is important to check your flashings annually to make sure there condition has not changed.

5. Damages to the Roof Valley
The roof valley refers to the angle at which two slopes meet. This is the area of your roof that will wear the quickest as it is a point where all of the water from both slopes will flow in the summer as well as where snow and ice will collect in the winter. It is important to keep an eye on this area of your roof as it will show age first and is the most vulnerable part of your roof to leaking.

6. Chimney & Skylight Problems
If the flashing around your chimney gets separated from the brick, you may have leaks. You must get it repaired by using cement immediately. The damage to skylights can be due to aging of the seals on the skylight

7. Roof Plumbing Stack Issues
This is the main drain that allows your plumbing system to intake air in order for all your fixtures to drain. You must keep an eye out for issues such as clogging and serious blockage. Blockage of the plumbing stack can cause your fixture not to drain or sewer gas to back up into your house.