7 of the Most Common Roof Repairs Homeowners Encounter

Do you own your own home? If so, then you know keeping up with repairs is all part of the process. One of the most common places to deal with regular upkeep is the roof. From experiencing smaller leaks to replacing the roof entirely, you will likely see some of these issues in your lifetime.

Keep reading for a list of the most common roof repairs you might expect to make to your home.

1. Damaged Roof Vent

A majority of roof vents are made out of plastic and generally hold up well to the elements. However, from time to time, they can crack if there are big temperature swings from hot to cold during the day. This can happen more frequently in certain climates that are prone to big shifts in temperature, such as in the midwest.

This is also at more of a risk to happen if the roof vent has aged a lot. Sometimes, you just need to clean out the old caulking and add some new to help keep the crack from worsening. If the roof vent has too large of a crack or is starting to deteriorate, it is time to replace it with a new one. Flashing should also be installed to help guide water around the roof vent and keep it from entering into the holes.

2. Leaking Roof

Sometimes, you might not be able to notice that you have a leak in your roof for quite some time. Your only indication might be the sudden appearance of a water stain on your ceiling. If you have discovered a stain, then your next step will be to enter into the attic and see if you can find its origin.When you are in the attic looking for the source of the leak, be sure to take into account the slope of your roofline. The water will generally flow down the slope of your roof before dripping onto your ceiling.

A water spot usually takes a long time to form and generally means that the leak has been present for quite some time. This will mean that the roof repair might be an extensive one and not something the average homeowner should attempt on their own. You should call a certified professional to help you with this particular repair job and they can also help you determine if you need a full roof replacement.

3. Hail Damage

One of the most common reasons for roof repairs is hail damage. Hail can be devastating whether for your home and your roof. Since the hail comes down at such a high velocity, it can easily do damage to your shingles or can even pass straight through if your roof is already damaged. If your shingles get damaged, the granules that form a protective layer will begin to fall off when it rains. The UV rays from the sun will then begin to deteriorate the shingle, making them brittle and causing possible leaks.

4. Shiners

Nails that have missed the frame of your roof when installed are known as shiners. When these nails get really cold at night, they might freeze and frost over. During the warmth of the day, the frost will begin to melt, making the nails drip. This moisture can lead to mold and rot in your insulation and over time, can even begin to damage your roof. To see if you have any shiners in your roof, you can look behind the insulation during a really cold night.

5. Damaged Flashing

Flashing is installed on your roof to help guide rain and other moisture around anything that is penetrating your roofs, such as roof vents, skylights, or chimneys. If your flashing begins to fail or was never properly installed, it can cause the areas with these features to leak. Some contractors don’t install flashing because they have chosen to use tar or roofing cement instead. While they might be convinced that is more than efficient, it usually ends up deteriorating over time. Roofing cement and tar are usually good for a short period of time. It will seal and protect from water, but once it has hardened and cured, it will crack and allow water to leak through.

6. Pooled Water

If you have a flat roof, then one of the main issues you might see occurring over time is the presence of a pool of water. These pools can be heavy and will become a strain on your roofing materials. It might lead to an eventual leak as your roof begins to give way to the demands of the water. Since your roof doesn’t have a slope to help drain the water, you will have to create tapered areas to help. These slopes will help the water runoff of your roof and helping avoid costly water damage.

7. Clogged Gutters

Gutters are great for helping runoff water away from the front entrance of your home and other areas. However, they need to be cleaned frequently to avoid getting clogged. This is also a great opportunity for you to inspect them and make sure they aren’t broken or otherwise defective. If your gutters are clogged, the water can pool up and run up into the eaves of your roof and is a common residential roof repair. It leads to rotting and can severely damage your roof and the interior walls of your home. One of the easiest ways to help prevent this issue is by installing gutter guards to help deter leaves, twigs, and other debris from collecting.

Learn More About the Most Common Roof Repairs Your Home Will Need Today

These are some of the most common roof repairs most homeowners will experience for their home. Most roof leaks are caused by damage to your flashing, roof vents, shingles, or are due to clogged gutters. These repairs are usually easy for most homeowners to be able to do, but sometimes, you might need to call in a professional for assistance. If you would like more household tips or information, be sure to visit our website daily!