Roofs go through a lot. They get hit with debris. They’re on the receiving end of the elements. Naturally, your roof takes a beating and it can show over time. So it’s not surprising
You’re reading this because you want to know whether the problem that’s occurred at your roof is normal. Perhaps you’re wanting to know what can be done. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at where on a roof problems can occur and then we’ll examine the roofing problems themselves!
Here are a few of the common locations where we find problems on a house:
Chimney
Your chimney has several locations that may require a roof repair. The likelihood of a problem depends on how well the original roofing installation was done.
Your chimney has four sides, and each side has flashing. Flashing is what protects the line where the side of the chimney meets the roof. In addition, each of those four sides could have a different type of flashing, depending on where the chimney is located.
Even the tiniest crack that allows water to get in behind the flashing can turn into a serious roof leak. This is why the chimney is one of the first places we check.
Skylights
Skylights: In our area, skylights are a part of many homeowners’ roofing systems. Although many people may not be experiencing skylight problems when they prepare for a roofing replacement, they should consider the replacement of the existing skylights.
The average age of a roof being replaced is 18 years old. This means if the customer has an original skylight, it is also at least 18 years old. If the skylight is not replaced during the roof replacement, the potential for skylight failure in the future increases.
In 5-10 years after your roof is replaced, the original skylight will be 23-28 years old at that point and will surely be in need of replacement. When being replaced, your contractor will have to remove some of your newly installed shingles to replace skylights, which could cause potential problems such as color matching and proper sealing of the shingles.
At Adanac Roofing, we are proud to offer Columbia Skylights, which have the widest selection of Energy Star® Rated skylight products in Canada.
Other Projections
Other possible locations needing repair are any projections such as plumbing stacks or air vents that have to actually come out through a hole in the roof.
When a hole is made in the roof, it has to be sealed properly. In some cases, such as a plumbing stack, the hole could be sealed fine at the time of installation, but then the rubber boot around the pipe can become hardened or cracked over time and become compromised.
Your roofing material is designed to divert water that comes from above, not from the side. When a strong rain is blowing, it can be driven up and under your shingles. At that point, the only thing between the rain and your house is a layer of tar paper. This type of roof repair usually just means replacing any shingles that were compromised.
If part of your roof normally faces the wind, we would also fasten down the shingles on the edge with some roofing cement. This minimizes the chances of the same thing happening again.
Common Roofing Problems
Let’s take a look at common issues you may encounter on your roof. If you notice any of these, immediately call a roofing specialist to address the problem.
Missing/Damaged Shingles
Every missing or damaged shingle is one less layer of protection between your house and the rain. Every shingle is important, so if one or several are missing, it is definitely time for a roof repair.
Loose, Cracked or Rotting Shingles:
This is one of the most common roof leak occurrences, and is most likely to happen if your asphalt cedar shingle roof is more than 15 or 20 years old. That’s getting up in years for asphalt shingles.
We can look at the roof and see if it makes sense to repair the location of the leak, or if it would be more cost effective to replace the roof.
A Nail That Has Backed Out
In a shingle roof, you might find that a shingle nail has somehow backed itself out and cut through the top shingle. You would be surprised at how much water can enter in through that one little nail hole. Over time this can mean quite a bit of water damage; catching it early is a cheap fix.
Poor Flashing Installation
Flashing is the metal piece that seals up the area where the roof meets a vertical surface, such as a chimney or a wall. If this is not installed properly, water will find a way in eventually.
Nails can also work themselves out of flashing. The average life of a roof is between 15 and 20 years, depending on the type of products and materials used.
There are a few obvious signs that can indicate that it’s time to replace your roof. Following are some signs to look for—both inside and outside—when determining if a roof replacement is needed on your home.
Take Action Now!
Don’t wait – common roofing problems manifest and can put a stranglehold on your home. Don’t leave this til later. Don’t procrastinate. Take action. Give us a call now ( +1 (604) 888-1616 ) at Adanac Roofing and we’ll take care of you.
