Your roof is an essential piece of your home or business. Not only does it protect your building (and the people and things inside), but it adds value and, if well maintained, can prevent other costly repairs from popping up!
Roofs are one of the areas of your property that can cause the most damage if left unchecked. And let's face it, you're likely not going up on your roof every few months to ensure things are intact. As a property owner, it's important to know how to identify roofing issues before they become more expensive problems.
This guide shares the proper way to identify common roofing problems and when to consult a professional when you need repairs.
Identifying Common Roofing Issues
If you suspect you already have roofing issues or a major storm has recently blown through, you can do a quick inspection to look for visible signs of damage to your roof. You can look for issues by examining the exterior of your roof and, if possible, the interior ceiling, attic, or crawl space.
Climbing on top of the roof or into a small crawl space can be dangerous, so only perform these tasks if you are experienced in using ladders or getting into small spaces. For your exterior inspection, try to stand uphill from your roof or even use binoculars if you have them!
Examination of Roofing Materials
The first inspection you can perform is an examination of the roofing materials themselves. Roofing materials can include shingles, gutters, flashing, vents, fascia, and more. Pay close attention to the shingles around any fixtures on your roof, like chimneys and vents. If the shingles are lifting, water will likely accumulate underneath them - either on top of your roof or inside your ceiling or attic.
Split seams in between shingles can also indicate damage. The damage may look different depending on its source, as storm-damaged roofs may appear differently than just normal aging and wear and tear.
Post-Storm Inspections
A solid roof should be able to withstand heavy rain and moderate winds. But, when you start throwing hail and high winds into the mix, you might experience some problems with your roofing.
With asphalt shingles, you will want to check for "˜bruising' from large pieces of hail. This bruising looks like a small dark spot and is caused by hailstones knocking off the metallic granules that protect the material from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Missing or broken shingles will also be easy to spot, and you may even notice that some have fallen off onto the ground. If this is the case, contact a roofing professional to come out and assess the full extent of the damage.
Damaged or Cracked Materials, Flashing, etc.
Most people will notice damaged or cracked materials within their roofing system like flashing, fascia, or shingles. These issues are easy to spot but should be tended to immediately to prevent further damage to your property.
If there is longer-term damage, you may notice that some shingles are warped, indicating water has started to form beneath them. It is paramount to address roofing leaks right away to mitigate costly water damage to your home.
Loose Granules
Metallic granules cover asphalt shingles to protect your property from the sun's rays. After a bad storm, you may notice loose granules in your gutters or around the grounds of your property. Loose granules allow the sun to penetrate your roof, leading to continual wear and tear.
This, in turn, leads to water damage and leaks, so it's best to take their disappearance seriously and contact a professional roofer immediately.
Signs of Water Damage
Water damage is every property owner's worst nightmare. Water damage occurs because water can enter the property due to damaged building materials. Once this happens, there's not much you can do other than remove and replace the damaged area. While doable, it can be a costly affair!
Learn to identify the signs of a roof leak while they are small before they spread to the entire roof and cause more damage to your home's interior.
Even Small Leaks Can Cause Major Damage
It's not just major gaping holes in roofs that cause damage. Even small leaks between shingles or under flashing can cause trouble spots that lead to significant damage inside your property. That's why it's best to take roof damage seriously and act quickly to save money and major headaches. Contact a professional roofing contractor if you suspect that your roof has sprung a leak, no matter what size!
Inspect Your Attic for Signs of Leaks
If you have an attic or crawl space in your house, inspect it regularly for roof leaks, especially in the days and weeks after strong storms.
If your roof is not secured properly, water can (and will) invade your home and cause damage. You may notice a small water spot on the wood underneath your roof or even water on the ground in the attic or crawl space. While inspecting, also look for loose nails, screws, or any signs of rust.
Lastly, check your ceiling for discoloring, bubbling, or water stains if you don't have an attic or crawl space. The last thing you want is a roof caving in due to unchecked water damage!
Know When to Consult a Professional Roofer
Unless you have experience as a roofer, most roofing issues will require a professional to fix them. Not only will a roofing contractor thoroughly inspect for other problems and determine the best course of action, but they are trained to do so safely!
More than 100,000 people are injured each year by falling off of roofs, and about 97% of those happen at home due to homeowners taking roofing matters into their unqualified hands.
Most Roofing Jobs Should be Left to the Pros
If your roofing project requires getting on a ladder, standing or moving on top of your roof, or getting into a small crawl space, leave this work to the pros! You may think you just have a tiny repair on your hands, but as we've learned, even small cracks or leaks can lead to much bigger problems once you inspect further.
PRQ Advises Against DIY Roofing
PRQ Exteriors advises against Do-It-Yourself (DIY) roofing because we've heard and seen too many accidents happen. Even if you attempt to fix your roof on your own and think you've succeeded, you may have missed other damaged areas or used improper techniques that will lead to more issues down the road. It's always best to consult a professional roofing company when your property has roofing issues.
PRQ Exteriors: Top-Rated Roofing Services Since 2014
PRQ provides top-rated roofing services to residents and businesses across the state of Colorado. We are a trusted roofer because we take the time to inspect each roof we work on thoroughly. We know that minor issues can lead to major damage for home and business owners, and we want to help prevent further problems!
Whether you need a brand new roof, roof repair, or a roof replacement, our experienced team of roofing experts can help.
PRQ Exteriors sets the standard for roofing companies in the Denver area by providing quality roofing services and excellent customer service built on great communication. Since 2014, homeowners and business owners in Denver turn to us for trusted, professional roof repairs, replacement, and storm restoration. Use the form below to schedule a free roofing evaluation today.
Roofing Company Serving the Greater Denver, CO Area
Call or Text: (303) 214-0703
Email: admin@prqexteriors.com
Address: 13301 W. 43rd Drive Unit 4, Golden, CO 80403
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