Signs of water inside your attic or upper level of your home can be an alarming sight. If you have an attic and the water has already penetrated the roof and ceiling, then immediate action should be taken in order to both find the cause and repair any damage. While water is a sure sign of a potential breach, any holes or areas where the air escapes can cause issues. The damage caused by water penetration can be extreme, but the energy efficiency and heating/cooling loss can also be a major problem.
Some weakening of a roof structure may be evident and professional inspections can serve to help eliminate any issues before a severe problem arises. The key is understanding when the roof was initially installed, the amount of weather and abuse it has taken, in addition to making certain all the proper upkeep and maintenance issues have been administered properly.
These steps can assist in finding areas that could lead to water penetration later and allow for corrections to be made in a timely manner. For any homeowner facing multiple issues, the decisions between a patch and complete installation should be decided due to a number of different factors. Some of these determinations for replacing or repairing your roof depend on age, exposure, and the property’s future incentive. For example, if plans are to sell the home in the next few years then an unsightly roof patch may cause issues despite not being aesthetically pleasing. If the roof is over 15 years old then a completely new roof may be a more marketable decision regardless of the future implications. Finally, if the roof is relatively new and has endured some wind damage, then patching provides the best possible outcome.
SHINGLE DAMAGE
Shingle damage can come from high winds or hail, in which case the entire roof is likely in need of a professional inspection. However, there are plenty of other factors that cause damage to shingles and in turn can lead to water penetrating the home. Shingles that are loosened from the wind can create gaps in the roofs covering. These openings need to be examined and professionally repaired in an effort to keep any water damage to a minimum.
As with anything else, age also plays a significant factor. When shingles age their ability to withstand the elements deteriorates. As this happens, the potential for rainwater and snowmelt building up and causing damage within the home is increased.
Depending on the previously mentioned factors – current age and future use of the home – the decision to either repair the entire roof or only replace the damaged shingles can be made.
FLASHING DAMAGE
Another cause for water breaching the home occurs around chimneys and other angles where the roof may meet different elevations. At these points flashing and how it works to keep the home air tight is important. Installed where windows come out from the roof, around anything that penetrates the roof from within, and along edges, the flashing is used on angles where shingles cannot be nearly as effective.
Flashing is typically more durable than the shingles but over time it too can age and cause issues. In addition, storms and high winds can also cause the flashing pieces to peel back away from the structure. Once this happens, any water can penetrate into the home and air escaping will dramatically increase. Routine inspections can help to locate any areas that may become hazardous and ensure that improvements are made prior to being under water.
BOOT DAMAGE
Another roof top material that serves to protect penetrating pipes from the interior of the home through the roof are rubber boots. These boots blend the flashing, if installed, and cover the pipes to create a secure barrier around the home’s opening. Vent pipes especially are items which require the boot to be administered.
Typically made of a rubber material, these boots can rot which causes cracking over time. Once cracked, the boot will begin to separate from itself and pull away from the protected pipe. After this occurs, any water penetrating the home will become an issue. By observing the condition of all pipe boots on a regular basis, any potential signs of cracking can be quickly located and the boots replaced.
ROOF NAILS
Another issue which can cause problems are the roof nails which occasionally will back out of the structure. A somewhat common occurrence considering the amount of nails used in order to secure the shingles to a home, these roofing nails that pop up are typically the result of a bad initial drive. Depending on the amount or placing of the nails, sometimes they don’t get the proper hold and could back out due to non-grip.
The humidity and constant temperature fluctuations occurring both on the top and underneath a roof can also cause the roofing nails to naturally remove. Coincidentally, the holes left within the structure can become issues as water penetrates the roof. Any humps in the current shingles should be examined to ensure the nails have not been removed – a professional examination can help to identify any potential problem areas and make the necessary corrections before an abundance of damage has occurred.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we handle any and all roofing needs. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing roof installations, evaluations, and multiple other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or now construction project, if needed, as well as any inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your roof or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any construction or roofing job and provide a variety of other services such as seamless guttering systems, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting. Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!