As a homeowner, your roof requires occasional maintenance to stay in good shape. Some problems are minor and can be fixed with a simple repair. Others are severe enough that a full replacement is the better call. Knowing the difference saves you time and money. Here are five common roofing issues to watch for and what to do about each one.
Clogged Drains, Gutters, and Downspouts
Clogged drainage paths lead to several types of roofing problems because they put additional weight on your roof, causing it to leak, grow algae, or decay faster. When your gutters contain too much debris their water will leak over the side where it will seep into your foundation. Your downspouts will also split and damage, which can cause leaks in your walls and foundations. All these things are preventable with regular maintenance – including removing debris and trimming trees.
The fix is straightforward: clean your gutters regularly, clear debris after every major storm, and trim back overhanging tree branches before they drop leaves onto the roof. Learn more in our guide on preparing your roof for the rainy season.
Vegetation and Debris
Make sure you always remove leaves from overhanging trees and the roof itself, especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain. Otherwise, they can clog your drains and damage your roof’s membrane. Too much shade on your roof can also cause your shingles to curl and buckle.
Since keeping your roof clean is so important, if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself, you should hire someone with the necessary equipment and training to do it for you. This is especially important after storms.
Pitch Pockets
Pitch pockets are used to seal your roof’s penetrations. You must frequently inspect and maintain these to prevent roofing problems. Several things may cause it to become compromised, including sealer drying out, structural movement in your home, improper installation, and lack of proper maintenance. This results in leaks and other damage you may not even know about right away. Once the metal becomes corroded you must completely replace it.
Alligatoring
When your roof grows older it will start to shrink and crack in a way that produces a pattern of deep cracks that look like an alligator’s hide – hence how these roofing problems got their name, “alligatoring.” Living in South Florida means your home’s roof is subject to harsh UV rays from the sun that can cause this to happen.
The best way to manage these types of roofing problems is to simply apply a UV protectant or reflective roof coating so your roof will last longer without being damaged. It’s also important to maintain routine inspections so you’ll know about problems early on. This is something that a roofing contractor can help you with. Having them catch any alligatoring early on when the area is still small is good news for you in that it can be easily removed and patched. When the problem grows too severe you’ll have to replace your entire roof.
Shrinkage
Anyone who owns an EPDM or modified bitumen roof should watch out for shrinkage. This is typically caused by poor installation, UV exposure, and aging. When this happens, it causes cracks in your upper layer through which moisture can seep in and cause leaks, wood rot, and mold growth.
The only way to repair this is to have a new roof properly installed by a qualified roofing professional and then keep up-to-date with the performance of routine maintenance on your new roof.
Spotted a Roofing Issue? Get a Free Assessment.
Done Rite Roofing Inc has worked with homeowners throughout Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties for over 25 years. We provide honest assessments, clear recommendations, and quality workmanship on every job.
Do not let a small roofing issue turn into a costly repair. Contact us today for a free quote before the problem gets any bigger.
