Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. Yet it’s also often out of sight, out of mind.
Visually inspecting your roof semi-regularly (especially after major weather) is a great way to catch problems early.
A shingle is one of the most important components of your roof. It is responsible for keeping moisture, heat, and wind off the interior of your house. If your shingles are damaged, it’s essential to replace them right away to avoid leaks and other serious problems.
Typically, damage to shingles occurs from storms or over time. However, it is also possible for shingles to become damaged due to poor installation or other issues. If you see that your neighbors are making repairs to their roofs after a storm, this is a good sign that you should have your own inspection done.
The most common types of shingle damage are creasing, which happens when the shingle tab is bent up and down until it forms a crease along the edge of the shingle above; flipping, which occurs when the shingle is folded over the shingle below; tearing, which results in the complete dislodging of a shingle strip; and puncturing, which can result from the impact of hail or other debris. Additionally, shingle damage may occur as a result of pests such as squirrels and woodpeckers who are looking for a place to nest or dig for food.
When a shingle is damaged, it will have broken sealant and the asphalt coating may be exposed. This can lead to a loss of granules, which leaves the shingle vulnerable and susceptible to weathering. This is why it is so important to check for granules in your gutters after a storm, as well as inspecting the roof for any signs of damage.
Replacing a damaged shingle is not an insurmountable task, but it’s important to take your time and do it correctly to prevent further problems down the road. To do this, start by using a pry bar to remove the nails holding the shingle and the one above it. Once the shingle is removed, use the pry bar to break the sticky black self-sealing strip. Then, slide the new shingle into place. Be sure to place it over the old nails, as this will keep them from puncturing the new shingle.
Leaking Gutters
The primary function of gutters is to channel rainwater away from the roof, but if they’re leaking, water can collect and damage the home and the gutter itself. Leaking gutters are often the result of worn or deteriorated sealant and loose or missing fasteners. Performing routine gutter maintenance (checking and tightening fasteners) can help prevent these issues, as well as having the system professionally inspected by a roofing expert to ensure it’s properly functioning.
If your gutters are leaking, it’s important to fix the problem as soon as possible to prevent further damage and costly repair bills. Depending on the type of gutters you have and the severity of the leak, this may require replacing a section or the entire gutter system.
Gutters Often Leak from Worn Sealant
Just like any other part of your home, the gutters can develop wear and tear and leak due to the harsh environmental conditions they’re exposed to. The most common areas for gutter leaks are around the joint areas, and these can be fixed with caulk or tape designed for durable bonding in outdoor conditions.
Alternatively, you can use metal gutter sealant to fix the issue. Gutter sealants can be applied directly to the crack or hole to stop water from seeping through.
You can also use metal flashing to cover holes in the gutters, but this is a more extensive solution and should be done by a professional roofing contractor.
Another common cause of leaking gutters is an improper slope, which can be caused by poorly installed gutters or loose fasteners. The gutter should have a slight downward slope to ensure rainwater is easily directed into the downspout and doesn’t pool in the gutter itself.
If your gutters are made of metal, you’ll want to inspect them for signs of corrosion and rust. If the metal is corroded, you’ll need to replace the hardware pieces that hold the gutters to your house, or apply gutter sealant to the joints to fix the leak. This can be a difficult task and requires working from a ladder, so you’ll want to hire a roofing professional.
Damaged Flashings
Flashing is designed to be weather resistant, but sometimes corrosion or wear can cause small holes to develop. These holes can be a big problem and must be repaired. If the underlying surface, such as wood, is affected, then the entire roof section should be replaced rather than simply the flashing. If you’re concerned about damage to your flashing, a quick call to a professional commercial roofer can save you money and prevent costly repairs later.
One of the most obvious signs of flashing damage is water leaks inside a building. These can cause mold, wood rot and other problems that will need to be addressed as soon as possible. Another sign of damaged flashing is moisture in areas that shouldn’t be there, such as sagging ceilings and stains on walls or fascia boards.
Sometimes it’s easy to fix a small hole in your flashing, but you should always check the surrounding area for other problems that may need fixing as well. For example, if you notice shingles that are lifting around the flashing or a spot of rust on the metal, it’s time to call in a roofer to repair the damaged area and ensure that water is not seeping behind the flashing.
Over time, it’s also common for flashing to become loose or even pulled away from the home. This happens when the screws that hold it in place lose their grip or the metal itself starts to corrode. If this is a problem, you can purchase screws that are made from the same metal as your flashing and screw them into place to resecure it to your roof. You should then cover each screw head with roofing cement to make sure that water cannot penetrate the roof section that is now exposed.
If the soffit or main roof joint is showing signs of leaks, you can replace the flashing without needing to do any shingle replacement work. Simply remove the shingles down to the wood sheathing and slip a strip of adhesive ice-and-water barrier (available where roofing products are sold) under the soffit/main roof joint. The ice-and-water barrier should overlap the step flashing, which is laid over the area where the two roofs join, at least 2 in.
Leaking Soffit
The area under the roof overhang, called the soffit, does not see as much abuse as the walls or roof, but it can still get damaged. It’s a common sight to see this area dripping after heavy rain, and it can lead to water damage inside the home. There are several reasons for a soffit leak, including poor ventilation and improper flashing.
It might be hard to understand why the soffit would be leaking after all, aren’t soffits supposed to keep water out? However, a soffit vent that is leaking during heavy rains can lead to moisture buildup, mold growth, and structural issues.
Poor ventilation is one of the biggest culprits of a leaking soffit, as it causes condensation to form that can seep into the soffit and into the attic space. If the soffit is not properly ventilated, it might need to be replaced to avoid future problems.
Another reason for a soffit leak is due to missing or damaged shingles. A roof with these problems can allow water to enter the soffit, and it might be difficult to spot until you see the unsightly brown liquid dripping from the soffit.
If you have noticed a soffit leak, it is important to have it checked out as soon as possible. This will prevent water from getting into the attic and potentially damaging your home, and it can help avoid costly repairs.
It’s easy to fix a leaking soffit. Start by ensuring the soffit is adequately ventilated, and consider adding more vents to help improve ventilation. You can also replace the soffit itself with aluminum to eliminate leaks. The best way to prevent soffit leaks, though, is by ensuring the flashing is in good condition. This can be done by inspecting the flashing for any signs of damage or improper installation, and having it repaired or replaced as needed. This will stop water from seeping through the soffit, and it may also prevent ice dams from forming, which can be a major headache to deal with. It’s best to have these issues dealt with quickly, before they cause severe and costly water damage in your home.