Common Types Or Roofing Problems For Homeowners In Virginia

The following contribution is from another author.

It is a dream for most families to own a home someday. It takes hard work and a lot of sacrifices to actualize the dream. Some families buy old houses while others choose to build new constructions. Either way is fine, provided the buyers are comfortable.

Roofs, both new and old, can start experiencing problems. These can be costly on repairs. Some of these problems are avoidable through simple repairs and maintenance. Others require some professional input to solve. The major roofing problems experienced by property owners include:

Tree Falls

Trees cause huge damages when they fall on houses. According to Low Cost Roofing such damages cannot be corrected by simple repairs and call for complete renovations. In areas prone to strong winds, it is recommendable to cut down huge trees to prevent them from falling on your roof. If you are just starting to grow yours, keep trimming them to prevent them from growing too tall and falling on your roof someday.

Leaks

Most homeowners have experienced incidences of leaks, whether in small or huge amounts. The leaks occur for different reasons. It could be because of a missing nail, rotting roofing material, or poor flashing installation. These make water seep inside, which causes stains on areas the water touches. 

Also, leaking roofs can cause damages to property when not promptly repaired. Such can include creating a dump environment, rot and mold growth. 

To prevent the leaks, bitumen can be used to fill the hole left by the missing nail or a new nail drilled into the hole. A rotten roof should be replaced, while a poorly installed flashing removed and fixed correctly.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters are important parts of a house. They help keep the area around dry. But, when not properly functional, they can create problems for your home. Such issues include attracting pests and rodents inside the house. 

When not cleaned regularly, gutters can get clogged by the accumulation of debris. This prevents them from directing the water away from the house. Instead, they retain water, which starts seeping inside after some time.

To prevent gutter problems, homeowners can consider cleaning their gutters regularly to prevent debris build-up. It is a DIY activity that can be done without using professional contractors. 

Poor Installation

Roofing is not about fixing the materials to cover a property but a careful and professional installation that will work for years. Sometimes, property owners are tempted to go for the cheapest installer without background checks of their qualifications and experience in roof installation.

As a result, they hire someone who has no idea how a roof should be installed. The materials are improperly fixed, and after a short while, the roof starts experiencing problems. Note that a roofing material’s warranty gets voided in cases of damages caused by poor installation. 

The best approach to preventing poor installation is ensuring you do a thorough check on the contractor you are about to hire. If your friend has had a similar and successful project, getting a referral from them is an excellent approach.

Condensation

Most homeowners think condensation only occurs in glazed glasses. But, the same is true for a poorly ventilated or insulated roof. The air from the inside and outside always has a temperature difference.

When cool air from either side touches a cold roof, condensation forms. It also occurs when the insulation around the roof has become loose or has come off. To prevent condensation from happening, it is recommendable always to check the roof to see if the seals providing insulation are tight. If not, apply a fresh sealant to provide ultimate insulation to your roof. 

Lack of Inspection and Maintenance

When detected early, some problems can be controlled before becoming a nuisance to property owners. Unfortunately, most people do not undertake this basic practice seriously. They fail to inspect their roof and make repairs to small problems that, in the end, become a huge cost to them.

Regular inspection and repairs to roofs are a sure way to keep them intact and serve you for a long time. With these, you save a lot from the cost that comes from negligence. 

Most roofing problems can be avoided. It is prudent for property owners to be proactive with roofing issues since they are expensive when allowed to reach extreme conditions. Identifying a potential cause of damage early and working on it is sure to ensure you don’t deal with roofing problems.