9 Most Frequent Residential Roofing Problems

Owning a house can sometimes be like owning a bottomless money-devouring hole. That’s a well-known fact because you can repair something or invest in your home to make it better. However, it can be better if you can invest money in something new than spend on something you already have.

And since we’re New Jersey roofing contractors, we’ll help you save money by warning you about the most common residential roofing issues. For the best results, combine the knowledge you’ll get now with the knowledge from our previous blog. Once you’re aware of potential problems and you know how to take care of your roof, you can start saving for a hot tub instead of roof repairs.

Leaks

We hope you don’t have any leaks. But even if water is dripping on your head, it’s possible to solve that problem. Yet, it’s much better to prevent leaks than repair them.

Many roofing problems we’ll list below are a direct cause of leaks, so if you solve those, you’re less likely to face any disasters. Inspecting your roof at least twice a year should be part of your culture.

Damaged Shingles

Shingles are under constant stress. Sun boils them, rain soaks them, and wind tests them. So it’s not surprising that shingles get damaged. But we get surprised when homeowners tell us they’ve noticed bent shingles months before calling us.

Don’t do that. If you notice shingles are bending or you keep finding pieces of shingles around your home, do something. Either replace damaged shingles on your own or call local contractors (if a large part of your roof is damaged).

Otherwise, you’ll face the next residential roofing problem from this list.

Missing Shingles

Damaged shingles aren’t a red flag, but if you see some of them are bent or cracked, expect blow-offs. If wind finds a way under the shingle, it will keep testing it until the nails can’t take it anymore, and your shingle goes missing. Don’t think that one or two shingles going AWOL won’t affect your roof.

The domino effect in residential roofing is a real thing. It happens if homeowners don’t replace one shingle because it’s not a big deal. Then another windy day comes, and suddenly more shingles disappear. Leaks usually happen soon after, if an inspection isn’t done during the roof repair.

Rusted or Bent Flashings

We mentioned leaks a couple of times because they’re scary. We don’t want you to waste time or money on dealing with them because we’ve seen how stressful that can be.

That’s why you must check your flashings as detailed as possible. Flashings around chimneys are responsible for many leaks but check other roof penetrations too. The scariest thing about flashings is that they can leak even if they look perfect. Poor installation leaves space for water, so sometimes people have flashings that don’t serve as anything more than decoration.

So, again, a full inspection is the best prevention. Do it twice a year and avoid DIY flashing replacement or repairs unless you’re a fellow roofer.

Clogged Gutters and Downspouts

Imagine something as basic as clogged gutters ruining your whole year… We’ve seen that happen. It’s not nice. Overflows cause damage during storms because gutters and downspouts can’t take water away from the house.

Water has nowhere to go, so it flows down the walls straight to the basement. Don’t think you’re safe if you don’t have a basement. Foundations could get damaged if the soil around the house soaks in too much rain. Water expands it, which puts pressure on your basement/foundation walls.

A cracked foundation is much more dangerous than cracked shingles. And we aren’t mentioning cracked sidewalks or wall damage. So clean your gutters; it pays off.

Faulty Roof Vent

Another part of the roof that doesn’t get enough credit is  roof vents. These vents exist to regulate the moisture level in your attic. If the vent doesn’t work, the temperature difference will create a separate microclimate in your attic.

Winter is coming, so we’ll use the cold part of the year as an example. During winter, it’s cold outside, and you need to keep your house warm. It means that the air inside will be much hotter than outside.

The roof vent is there to bring that to balance. If it stops working, hot air will accumulate under the cold roof, which raises humidity. Humid and hot environments contribute to mold growth. Once that nasty monster bites your home, it’s hard to get rid of it.

Moss Damage

Moss on the roof might look cool. It gives that romantic aura to your home. But don’t forget that moss loves water. And if there’s enough space for moss to hold on to the roof, water can get under your shingles.

Once that happens, the war between your underlayment and water begins. And take this from the pros; your chances of winning that war are slim. You can postpone leaks, but sooner or later, water will get you. So get rid of the moss on your roof. There are many better ways to decorate your home.

Lack of Attention

All the problems above are solvable. But all of them are preventable too. By maintaining your roof, you expand its lifespan and don’t have to worry about every raindrop or wind gust. As mentioned before, inspecting your roof is the best prevention.

However, you need to know the difference between a DIY roof inspection and professional inspection. We encourage you to check everything you can, but we don’t encourage you to walk on your roof or risk your health in any other way.

Many roofers, us included, offer free inspections or estimates. That either calms your mind or reveals issues.

Wrong Kind of Attention

But don’t bite more than you can chew. We’ve seen numerous cases of DIY roof repairs gone wrong. People try to save money by repairing seemingly minor issues on their own. Then they either do a poor job or realize the problem is much bigger than they imagined.

In the end, that may cost more time and money than if the pros were called from the start.
Don’t be one of those people. Care about your roof. But give it proper attention, or better to say, let those who know everything about residential roofs maintain your roof. And if you live in Marlton, don’t settle for anything less than the best local contractor for residential roofs in Marlton, NJ.