Common Roof Problems and How to Deal with Them

The roof is an integral part of your home. It’s what keeps your home safe, warm, and energy-efficient. However, this is only true if the roof in question is in a prime condition. Now, the list of problems that could befall your roof is virtually endless, but there are some instances that are more likely to occur than others. With that in mind and without further ado, here’s a shortlist of four most common roof problems that you’re likely to encounter, as well as several tips to help you deal with them.

1.      Pest nests

Another problem that you may face when it comes to the health and integrity of your roof are persistent pest nests that can be found all around. First of all, you might find them in the gutters, and alongside tree debris, pest nests and pest debris are the single biggest concern. Other than this, unless the inside of your roof is tightly shut, some pests may get inside your attic and wreak havoc there. The problem here is that they may spread disease, damage items that you have stored there, and just cause an outright mess. So, regularly cleaning the place and ensuring that there are no gaps are your only viable options.

2.      Gutters and flashings

The next thing worth talking about is your guttering system. The reason why this is so important is due to the fact that both gutters and flashings are there to help your roof perform its essential function – keep the rain outside of your home. You should not only clean your gutter regularly but also figure out when it’s time for you to replace them. When this happens, you shouldn’t attempt a DIY installation but look for gutter replacement specialists instead. This way, you can ensure that everything is in its place and that all the water goes down the drain.

3.      Missing shingles

When talking about roof problems, the chances are that the first thing people will think of is the missing shingles. Why is this so problematic? Well, first of all, it defeats the purpose of having the roof, to begin with, seeing as how you’ll also have leaks within your home. Identifying and fixing the problem, on the other hand, is relatively simple. All you have to do is walk into the attic during the day, look up and see if there are any sun rays bursting through the roof. Then, you get the shingles you need and patch the hole. It really is that simple.

4.      Shoddy installation

Amongst the biggest problems that can befall your roof, there’s definitely the issue of shoddy installation. The thing is that these flaws don’t have to reveal themselves right away. Over the course of time, they will cause leaks, blisters, adhesion problems, wrinkles, and make your roof age prematurely. Anyone who has read a thing or two about roofing knows that a quality roof can last between 20 and 30 years (some materials can last even 50 years). However, this is only the case if the installation was done right the first time around.

In conclusion

At the end of the day, your roof really doesn’t require much work. Sure, the above-listed may suggest otherwise, but you need to understand that neither of these problems occurs on a regular basis. If a roof is installed correctly, as well as the guttering system, you really don’t have much to worry about. All that you’re left with is an occasional inspection of the roof and a bi-annual gutter cleaning process. All of this takes only a bit of your time, and the reward is more than worth it.