The roof on your Shelbyville, IN, home takes a daily beating. While roofs are designed to withstand strong winds, heavy rain, and freezing precipitation. Roofs are constantly exposed to temperature fluctuations, the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays, and other factors that progressively wear them down. Fortunately, you can extend the lifespan of your roof and stave off major and costly repairs by identifying common roofing problems early on and resolving them. The following are seven issues that every Shelbyville homeowner should watch out for.
1. Dirty Gutters
Your gutters and downspouts have the important job of routing runoff away from your roof and away from the building’s foundation. Unfortunately, rainwater and melted snow aren’t the only things that enter them. Gutters can develop substantial build-ups of silt, gravel, shingle granules, leaves, twigs, and more. These things inhibit the movement of runoff and can leave low-lying areas covered in water.
Gutter blockages are also heavy. If they become too heavy, they could cause your gutters to detach from the building. The best way to avoid gutter problems is by having these features cleaned in autumn just after the trees have lost their leaves. You should have your gutters cleaned again in mid-spring after the trees have shed their blossoms and just before spring rains roll in.
2. Pooling Water
Pooling water is a common occurrence in homes with dirty gutters. However, even with spotless gutters, you might have problems with pooling water if you have a flat or low-sloped roof. Roofers can prevent or resolve frequent problems with pooling water by installing oversized gutters in low-sloped areas or making other drainage modifications.
3. Pests and Tree Problems
Having several towering trees around your home affords tremendous shade during the summer months, improves property aesthetics, and contributes to higher levels of privacy. However, if these trees aren’t well-maintained, weak, diseased, and dying, limbs and branches could break off and cause serious impact damage.
Trees with low-hanging branches also provide roof access to countless climbing animals. Squirrels, raccoons, and rodents might mount your roof in search of access points. If they can’t find them, many will create entrances of their own by pulling back flashing, shingles, and other loose or otherwise vulnerable roofing elements.
Trees that overhang roofs can also serve as highways for many six-legged pests, including termites, attic flies, mosquitoes, and ants. Problems like dirty gutters and ponding water increase the likelihood of insect infestations.
Despite their sweet songs and often breathtaking plumage, birds can cause serious roof problems as well. Nesting birds can block gutters and downspouts and remove roofing elements. Bird droppings are acidic and can rust or corrode metal roofs and metal components.
Regular roof inspections allow homeowners to spot and mitigate pest problems before serious roof damages occur. You should also regularly limb or prune your trees and establish an ongoing pest management plan.
4. Loose and Torn Flashing
Flashings are the thin strips of metal found everywhere where vertical and horizontal roof surfaces meet. You’ll find flashings around all roof protrusions like chimneys and exhaust vents, along your roof’s edges, and at all roof valleys. Flashing protects your roof’s most vulnerable areas. When flashing is lifted or torn, roofs leak.
Proper installation minimizes the risk of flashing damage. Scheduling storm damage inspections ensures that strong winds, hail, or heavy snow haven’t caused problems.
5. Missing and Damage Shingles
Loose, curled, bent, or broken shingles are among the most common roofing problems throughout the nation. Strong winds and pelting rain can lift shingles and tear them away from buildings. Although homeowners may replace one or two damaged shingles on their own, when a large portion of shingles lift or curl at once, it’s best to get roofers involved.
6. Roof Leaks
The most frequently mentioned problem with roofs is often the occurrence of leaks. In reality, they’re just the most noticeable. While problems like torn flashing, curling shingles and pests aren’t always easy to spot when viewing your roof from the curb, they’re all indications of impending roof leaks.
Roof leaks reveal themselves in many obvious and difficult-to-ignore ways:
- Rising indoor humidity
- Rank, moldering odors
- Wet attic insulation
- Discolored ceiling, siding, and drywall
- Blistered, peeling paint
If left unchecked, active roof leaks can even leave standing puddles of water on your floors.
The best way to avoid roof leaks and all the property damage they cause is by having your roof installed, repaired, maintained, and frequently inspected. Besides annual roof inspections, it’s also important to schedule storm damage inspections and as-needed storm damage repairs following all severe weather events.
As a family-owned and operated business, we’ve proudly served Shelbyville since 1996 with top-notch roofing and gutter services. We also provide commercial roofing and storm damage repairs. For top-notch roof inspection, maintenance, or repair services, contact Nationwide Contracting, LLC today.
