As a homeowner, your roofing system is one of your home’s most valuable assets. Your roofing system protects your home from harsh elements such as rain, heat, wind and snow, keeping you and your family safe all-year-long. In addition, your roofing replacement contractor will tell you that it also enhances your home’s energy efficiency, curb appeal and resale value. After all, the roof is one of the most prominent features of your home, along with the siding, windows and doors.
It’s important to take good care of your roof so that it will continue to function as intended and keep your home beautiful for years to come. It can be quite easy to forget to conduct regular maintenance; some homeowners only think about their roofing system when it starts to have problems. As such, it’s important to educate yourself about common issues that numerous homeowners experience so you can face them with confidence when they occur.
In this post, the top roofing company in your area, Window World of Boston, shares a comprehensive list of the most common roofing issues that many homeowners face, along with the corresponding solutions.
Lack of maintenance. It’s imperative that you conduct an annual maintenance or inspection session of your roofing system. You should also have your roofing contractor conduct a professional inspection after a severe weather event to check and see if your roofing system was adversely affected by it. As time goes by, there are many things that can go wrong with your roof, which is why it’s important to inspect it regularly so that existing issues don’t worsen. Catching issues such as mold and mildew growth, roof sagging and gaping holes–which are indicators of a neglected roof–will save you time and money down the road.
Slip-shod repair jobs. Another unfortunate instance that some homeowners encounter is a slip-shod or poor repair job carried out by a roofing contractor. As unlucky as this may be, it will give you experience and teach you to hire a better, more reputable roofing company the next time around. There are a lot of shady contractors that will bid for a job, then take shortcuts since they know they’ll get paid for the job regardless. It might also take some time for this shoddy workmanship to show up, which is why they may not seem questionable at first. Not to mention, storm chasers could also come into play after a severe weather event hits your area.
To avoid this issue, be sure to carefully vet your contractor and check out the work they’ve recently completed. Look at their ratings from third-party websites like the Better Business Bureau® or Yelp as well and see what their customers have to say about their services. You can even check if they’re insured or certified through these third party services. Most important of all, if you have friends or contacts who’ve had a roofing job completed recently, you can ask them if they had a pleasant experience working with their roofing contractor and if they would recommend them to you. After all, nothing beats the recommendation of a trusted friend.
Blown or damaged shingles. Depending on your roof’s orientation or layout, you might lose some shingles due to exterior forces and not notice it right away. Your roofing company will tell you that a common shingle issue that you may encounter is caused by high winds or extreme weather. Keep in mind that strong winds can pry your roof’s flashing and tiles away from your home as well. This, in turn, can destabilize your roof’s structure, allowing pests, water and other exterior elements into your home. It’s also worth noting that heat and constant UV exposure can lead to your shingles cracking, buckling or curling over time. Make sure to have your shingles checked regularly so that they can be repaired or replaced accordingly by a certified roofing contractor.
Tree branches on the roof. When strong winds or storms hit your area, tree branches could be thrown onto your roof’s surface and scrape the shingles. They could also puncture your roof, leaving the underlayment exposed to water and the elements. This could lead to attic issues, mold growth and roof sagging. To resolve this issue, make sure to regularly trim your branches and remove leaning trees. This reduces the risk of branches damaging your home. It’s also worth noting that the leaves the branches carry could rot on your roof, causing organic growth and other issues. This is why you should have your roof cleared and cleaned regularly.
Roof leaks. Your roofing replacement contractor will tell you that roof leaks are one of the most difficult issues to ignore, as their signs and symptoms are very apparent, even within your home. Roof leaks can cause a lot of damage in a short span of time, and can occur at any point on your roof, even if the shingles are in good condition. Even if there are no leaks in your living space, they could be accumulating in your attic or other vulnerable points of your home, so it’s important to have your roof inspected by a certified roofing contractor for any signs of infiltration. Don’t hesitate to have your roof repaired or replaced once these gaps have been spotted to address the issue before it gets worse.
Poorly-installed flashing. Flashing is the seal that protects vulnerable areas of your roof, such as the HVAC unit, vent pipes, skylights and chimneys. When the flashing is poorly attached, it can leave open gaps that cause your shingle tiles to blow off. It can also reduce your roof’s resistance to punctures. To prevent this, make sure that your contractor is well-versed in flashing installation and that they follow the manufacturer’s guide closely if there are any special installation instructions to take note of.
As a leading window and roofing contractor, you can rely on Window World of Boston for your next home improvement project. Give us a call at (781) 262-3925 (Woburn), (781) 343-7129 (Pembroke), or (508) 845-6676 (Shrewsbury). You can also fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.
