Your roof’s primary job is to keep water out of your home. For the most part, your roof will excel at this task. However, certain conditions and areas of your roof are more susceptible to damage and leaks than others.
Know the conditions and areas of your roof that tend to develop leaks so you can keep vigilant watch over your roof and get professional roofing help before any water damage occurs.
1. Declining Shingles
Asphalt shingles are designed to last for about two decades. They may last a little longer or shorter depending on the brand of shingles on your roof and the exact weather conditions.
As asphalt shingles start to age, the granules on the top of the shingles wear away, exposing the lower layers. Cracked shingles are generally a result of wind damage; however, when cracked shingles are all over your roof, that’s a serious sign of wear.
Cupping, where the edges of the shingle curl-up, and clawing, where the middle of the shingle raises up, are two additional ways that shingles wear as they age.
2. Impaired Flashing
Metal flashing is used to provide extra reinforcement to specific areas of your roof, usually the roof valleys, chimney, vents, and skylights and also sometimes where dormer walls intersect with the roof.
Over time, the nails holding the flashing in place on your roof can come loose. Once the nails holding the flashing in place get loose, the flashing is more prone to bending, which can give water a space to come under the flashing.
Flashing is often made out of metal, which can corrode over time. As flashing is used to redirect water on your roof, it often wears out faster than other parts of your roof. Keep a close eye on the flashing on your roof, and replace it when it starts to show signs of wear.
3. Unproductive Gutters
When your gutters are attached properly to your home, they help direct water away from your home. Correctly attached gutters prevent water from pooling on your roof.
When your gutters are not attached to your roof correctly, or when your gutters are full of debris, they are not able to protect your home. Water can pool up and cause your roof to deteriorate when gutters don’t function properly.
Improperly working gutters often have consequences that extend beyond your roof. Foundation, siding, basement, and landscaping damage are all potential negative side effects of an unproductive gutter system.
You can avoid this water damage if you clean your gutters a couple of times a year and check the overall condition of your gutters when you clean them.
4. Ice Dams
Ice dams form on your roof when snow on your roof starts to melt then refreezes due to changing temperatures. When the snow melts and freezes on the edge of your roof, the ice prevents water from flowing down your roof and into your gutters, forming ice dams.
Ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof. Ice dams can damage your shingles and lead to roof leaks. Additionally, ice dams can also damage your gutters and separate your gutters from your home.
Prevent ice dams with proper attic ventilation and a well-insulated roof. Heating tape can also help prevent ice from building up on your roof.
Your roof will give you warning signs before water leaks into your home. If you notice that your shingles, flashing, or gutters are not functioning properly, or you seem to get a lot of ice dams every winter, give us a call at Cloise & Mike Construction, Inc. We can help repair your roof and help you determine if you need a new roof.