As an exposed part of your home, your roof can get damaged easily. However, it’s essential to keep it in good condition so that your property is protected.
Part of maintaining your roof is looking after it. If you check it for damage frequently then you can repair it before the issue gets worse.
To help you look after your roof and take care of your home, we have come up with 6 common roofing problems and how to fix them.
1. Moisture and leaks
Heavy wet and windy weather may dislodge your roofing materials and result in leaks. These can lead to rot and mould, dangerously weakening your roof.
Identify leaks in your roof by checking it regularly, particularly after poor weather. Check for drips, puddles and water marks on the inside of your roof. If you see any, you’ll have to ask a roofer to fix them before they get worse.
2. Faulty flashing
Flashing is normally made out of metal or plastic. It seals your roof around chimneys, windows and other openings to protect it from weathering.
If flashing isn’t attached properly or is poor quality, it can get dislodged and leave holes in your roof. This can weaken it and result in leaks. If you think your flashing is faulty, call in professional roofers to have a look at it and get roofing quotes.
3. Ponding
Flat roofs can be susceptible to ponding. This is when water builds up on a roof and doesn’t drain off within 48 hours. Ponding can weaken your roof, particularly in freezing conditions. It’s not essential to act immediately if you notice ponding on your roof, but you should monitor it for any damage. If you’re getting the roof replaced you need to tell your roofer about the issue so they can correct it.
4. Damaged or dislodged roofing
If bits of your roof have been damaged or dislodged, this could be due to tree damage. Overhanging branches can rub on roofing, wearing it down or dislodging it. You might not have noticed this if the branches only come into contact with your roof when it is windy. To avoid this issue getting worse, remove any overhanging branches and think about getting rid of the whole tree if necessary. It is best to get advice from a tree surgeon before doing this.
If tree damage is not the cause of the problem, foot fall is another possibility. People treading on your roof can easily knock tiles and shingles and cause damage. Roofers generally set up walkways whenever they’re working, but this is not always effective. If you’ve had roofers in recently and notice some damage, it’s worth getting in contact with them.
Whatever the cause, you should repair or replace damaged roofing as soon as you can. This will reduce the chances of further damage and ensure your roof’s in good condition.
5. Blistering
Blistering is when bubbles appear in roofing materials. This tends to be because air or moisture is trapped beneath the surface.
If you see blistering on your roof, don’t worry. It’s generally something that happens to older materials, especially asphalt shingles. Keep checking them though, as when or if they pop, they could require patching up or replacing.
However, if you have only just had the roof installed, speak to the contractor you used. Blistering could be a sign of poor installation and should be investigated.
6. Alligatoring
Alligatoring is a phrase for when asphalt develops cracks. It is called this as the cracking can resemble scales because it doesn’t go all the way down to the material base.
If you see alligatoring in your asphalt roof, it needs rectifying. If water gets into the cracks it can make them expand, particularly in cold conditions. Cracks can be repaired either by patching them or filling them in.
So now you should know a bit more about common roofing problems and how to fix them. If you’re searching for a contractor to look at your roof, complete our online form. We’ll put you in touch with up to 4 roofers in your local area.