5 Most Common Roof Problems

The roof is one of the most important components of your house. A properly installed roof protects your house from weather elements and enhances insulation. Also, the roof can improve your home's appearance and boost your property's value. However, roofs experience problems from time to time. Read on to learn more about common roof problems.

1. Moss Damage

Moss can grow on your roof and spread quickly. Although moss is the most common type of growth on roofs, lichen and algae can also accumulate on the roof.

Water and moisture are the main things necessary for moss growth. Another factor is shade on your roof since well-shaded roofs have low evaporation and retain high moisture content. While you can see the moss from the ground, the plant will remain hidden for a long time. As the moss spreads, it will destroy shingles, making your roof prone to sun damage and erosion.

2. Roof Leaks

Roof leaks allow water to enter the home and cause damage. Leaks typically occur when the shingles lose their granules, break, curl, crack, or dry out. As a result, the shingles will lose their water-shedding ability and allow water to seep through.

Many factors can cause broken or missing shingles. One major factor is the age of your roof. If your roof is old, the shingles will become brittle and fall off. Also, debris such as dirt, sticks, and leaves can accumulate in the gutters. The buildup blocks the smooth flow of melting snow and rainwater. Other causes of roof leaks include chimney damage, roof vents, and condensation in the attic. 

3. Roof Flashing

Flashing is a feature on your roof that helps the roof provide protection against extreme weather elements. The flashing is located around skylights, plumbing vents, chimneys, and other roof penetrations. Unfortunately, the flashing can fail to work due to a number of factors.

Improper installation of the flashing components is typically the main cause of failure. Continued exposure to the elements will also cause wrinkles and wear and tear of the flashing. For example, constant temperature changes cause the flashing to contract and expand, leading to warping. 

4. Roof Blisters

Extended exposure to sunlight, storms, and heavy rainfall can result in roof blistering. The problem typically happens on built-up roofing and asphalt shingles. Failure to fix the roof blistering early on can result in costly damage in the future.

Blisters develop when moisture accumulates in the spaces between shingles and roof layers. When the outdoor temperature rises, the moisture expands. The expansion causes the shingles or roof layers to weaken and form blisters.

Most blisters are tiny and won't cause further damage to your roof. But larger and more severe blisters will develop if the moisture content is high and present in various parts of the roof.

5. Damaged Gutters

Gutters assist in the proper disposal of overflowing water on your roof. When the gutters get clogged or damaged, the roof structure integrity suffers.

Gutter damage can happen due to improper installation, especially if the installer doesn't properly secure the gutters. The problem can also happen if insufficient pipes connect to the gutters. Insufficient pipes may not remove all rainwater from the gutters, causing water buildup.

Also, the gutter's joints can break and shift out of place. The result will be crooked and cracked gutter parts. Another cause of gutter damage is poor pitching.

If your roof has any of the above problems, reach out immediately to a professional roofer like United Roofing LLC. We install, repair, inspect, and replace all types of roofs. Contact us to get a quote for your roofing project.