Stacy ObrienYour roof protects your home from the elements but it can suffer damage over time. Some issues, such as holes in the roof can be easy to miss but must be addressed quickly to prevent water damage and other problems. Other problems such as clogged gutters and poor ventilation can be more difficult to spot.
For leaky roof troubles contact a expert roof repair fort wayne for swift and effective solutions to safeguard your home.
Learn about six common roof repair issues and solutions to keep your home protected.
1. Leaky Roof
If water is leaking into your home there may be problems with the roof. A leaky roof can lead to rot, mold and damaged sheathing and framing its also very expensive to repair.
Look for dark spots on the ceiling these are areas where water is seeping through the ceiling. You should also look for a musty odor or sagging, warped ceilings.
It can be difficult to find the source of a leak because the water shows up at ceiling spots that are distant from the leaking point. Try placing a large bucket beneath the problem spot to catch the dripping water.
2. Damaged Shingles or Tiles
When tiles crack, break or crumble, they expose the roof’s underlayment to sunlight and moisture, causing it to deteriorate rapidly. If left untreated, this can lead to a leaky roof and costly repairs.
Look for shingles that are missing or curling upward. These are signs of deterioration and may indicate that more shingles will soon fall off the roof.
If a shingle is damaged, slip a catspaw pry bar under the shingle layer immediately above the damage and pry upward to release the nails holding the damaged shingle in place. Then replace the shingle.
3. Loose Flashing
Flashing is designed to seal and protect the areas around your chimney, sky lights, vent pipes and other protruding structures on a roof. If your flashing becomes loose or deteriorates, it can lead to leaks and structural damage in your home.
Leaks often develop at the joints and valleys of your roof where two slopes meet. These areas need a special type of flashing called kick-out flashing which directs water away from the wall and prevents it from getting behind the sheathing or framing of your house.
Check your flashing for gaps and thin spots each time you go up on your roof and spread a little roofing cement where needed. You can also hire a professional roof repair contractor to do this.
4. Water Damage
While water damage isn’t a direct result of roof issues, it can cause other problems that should be addressed. These include a musty smell, mold or mildew and bubbled paint.
Leaking can ruin insulation, increase energy bills and cause ceiling tiles to rot. A leak should be repaired immediately to limit the damage.
A bead of caulk can stop the problem temporarily, but if the vents are old and worn, they will probably need replacement. Colorado’s temperature swings can crack aging plastic vents. A new roof vent, along with flashing will help to prevent leaks. A roofing professional should be consulted to ensure the best solution.
5. Clogged Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause all sorts of problems. They are supposed to divert water away from the foundation of the home, and if they’re not doing that, moisture can get into your basement, and rotting can start in the walls and other wood components around the house.
Clogs also make your roof vulnerable to leaks. If moisture gets into your ceiling, it can quickly lead to mold, mildew and other interior damage that’s difficult to repair.
And, as gross as it may sound, stagnant muck from clogged gutters can attract mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases like the West Nile virus. Damp mud and leaves are also breeding grounds for bees and wasps.
6. Damaged Flashing Around Skylights
Skylights can bring natural light and brighten up a room, but they can also leak and cause damage to the roof.
If you have a leaking skylight it’s important to take steps to repair it right away before the damage gets worse. If left unattended a skylight leak can ruin your furniture, stain walls and create a musky smell in the house.
Leaks around a skylight can be caused by many different things, but one of the most common causes is damaged flashing. The flashing is the metal that seals the skylight to the rest of the roof and prevents rainwater from getting in.
