what caused that last roof problem

WHAT CAUSED THAT LAST ROOF PROBLEM?

EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT CAUSE ROOF PROBLEMS



PART 1 EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT CAUSE ROOF PROBLEMS

Have you ever experienced putting out a bucket or two to catch the rain dripping into your home from a leaky roof? It happens to the best of us. But why does a roof that was perfectly fine one day turn all leaky the next? Roof problems are one of the most common things homeowners have to deal with, but we often don’t know what

causes them.



Of course, normal wear and tear can cause a roof to detriorate over time and eventually break down – even if you have the most durable of roofs. External factors such as these are sure to contribute to the weakening of your roof structure in various ways:

1. RAINLeaks in the home can start from a burst indoor pipe too, but more often than not, roof leaks are attributable to strong rains. Ideally, rainwater should always be safely channeled away from the home straight down through the gutter but, sometimes, issues such as blocked gutters or unexpectedly high levels of precipitation can cause water to penetrate past the roof surface and leak into the home. These leaks can then cause futher damage from within your home itself.

2. SNOWLike rain, snow can cause significant roof damage, moreso since it doesn’t easily slide off the roof; it can accumulate quickly and put a lot of weight on the roof. This excess weight

can cause your roof’s components to warp or crack. Additionally, packed snow can form ice dams, which can prevent the water from melting ice from reaching the gutter, where it can then more effectively be directed away from the home.



3. WINDEveryone (especially those in hurricane-prone areas) knows that strong winds can tear roofs apart or blow them away entirely. But contrary to what most homeowners think, less powerful winds, too, can cause roof problems. Even a moderate breeze, for instance, can get through small gaps between panels or your flashing, where it can push parts of the roof upwards, and make existing gaps bigger.

4. SUNIf you think a sunny day is perfectly fine for your roof, think again. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause your roof’s color to fade but, even worse, can also cause your shingles or panels to warp from

too much heat. Even more damaging is when a bright hot day is followed by a cold night, as your roof will then be more likely to develop cracks caused by the constant changes in temperature.

While these external factors often do cause a lot of problems, there are also issues that can arise from a problem in the roof itself. What do we mean by that? Find out more in the second part of this

e-book!



PART 2 POOR INSTALLATION -

INTERNAL FACTORS THAT CAN CAUSE ROOF PROBLEMS

Sometimes it’s not the harsh weather that causes leaks and other roof problems. If you see signs of roof problems after even a mild shower, there’s a good chance that your issues lie in the roof itself – or more

specifically, how it was installed.

The roof building process may seem pretty straightforward, but be sure to measure and lay out everything carefully beforehand, as even a minor slip-up in measurement can badly affect how well the roof will hold up against the elements. Here are a few examples of why badly installed components can mess up your

roof altogether.


POOR INSTALLATION - INTERNAL FACTORS THAT CAN CAUSE ROOF PROBLEMS

BAD FLASHING

The flashing is supposed to protect areas of your roof where the shingles or roof tiles aren’t able to provide complete cover. Without proper flashing, these areas become extremely vulnerable to water, wind, and

debris. Badly installed flashing leaves gaps in your roof’s otherwise weatherproof surface. This is especially true for flashing that covers roof valleys, since rainwater is naturally channeled to those areas before flowing into the gutter.

LOOSE SEALS, NAILS AND FASTENERS

Nails and fasteners keep your roof tiles in place, and they also serve the purpose of ensuring that the tiles don’t wiggle around when the wind blows. On the other hand, roof sealants are applied to provide a watertight barrier over the gaps between individual tiles and panels. Badly installed nails can easily be dislodged, which can in turn cause entire tiles to slide off the roof. Meanwhile, poorly applied sealants don’t provide complete water protection, which is almost as good as not having any sealant at all!


POOR INSTALLATION - INTERNAL FACTORS THAT CAN CAUSE ROOF PROBLEMS

POOR VENTILATION AND INSULATION

Sometimes, roof problems come from under the roof’s surface. Poor ventilation and insulation can cause the attic (and the rest of the roof’s inner surface) to suffer from moisture damage caused by condensed water vapor. If neglected, the water can form dark rings on the ceiling, cause rust on metal components, and even encourage mold and mildew to grow on surfaces.

To avoid problems caused by bad roof installation, it’s best to avoid DIY roofing projects and leave the job to reputable roofing experts.

You know the causes, now it’s time to act. In the last part of this blog series, find out what you should do

when you encounter roof problems.



PART 3 WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’ S

SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR ROOF

It doesn’t matter if your home has the best quality roofing available in the area – you’re bound to encounter roof problems at some point during its lifetime. That’s why it helps to keep the following things in mind to minimize roof damage and keep

your roof in perfect condition.


WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’ S SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR ROOF

1. DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONSWater rings in your ceiling don’t automatically mean that your roof requires an immediate tile replacement. Different roof problems can have similar signs, so it’s best to narrow down the possibilities and find out what the real cause is. This is where getting help from a professional is doubly important, as a professional can give you a reliable, educated assessment.

2. CALL FOR HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLEThis is perhaps the most important thing to remember if you want to keep your roof in good shape. Even the smallest roof problem can turn into a major headache given enough time. As soon as you find even the slightest hint of a roof problem, whether it’s a leak or a sudden increase in electric consumption, get in touch with a reputable roofer ASAP.

3. BE AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLEAlthough the pros can find out the real reason behind your roof problem, it’s still best to be as detailed as possible when describing what’s going on with your roof. This can help the pros narrow down the possible causes and come up with the right solutions faster.

4. LEARN FROM THE PROS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLEWhen we say learn from the pros, we don’t mean try to do what they’re doing; instead, ask for as much information as possible. Ask them what caused the roof problem and what is the best approach to take to get it fixed. Get some tips on roof maintenance, and even recommendations for roof repair and replacement. By doing this, you’ll be much more prepared to describe the problem and ask for help should something similar happen in the future.

Roof problems may be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to minimize their impact on your life. A bit of caution combined with help from the pros can go a long way towards ensuring that any roof problems you encounter now will be easier to deal with in the future.



TITTLE BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION787 Southfield Road Lincoln Park, MI 48146

877-228-5658www.tittlebrothers.com

http://www.tittlebrothers.com

what caused that last roof problem

Documents