Top 7 Roofing Problems: A Comprehensive Guide for Business and Homeowners

Roofing problems got you down? I can understand you, they can can be a real pain in the gutter (pun intended) regardless of whether you're a massive business owner or a humble guy with a house. If that’s you, then keep reading. In this blog post, I will talk about the 7 most common problems that require roof repair. We'll discuss anything from annoying moss accumulation (eww) to frustratingly cracked roof tiles, and I'll even provide some advice on how to prevent these issues in the first place. YAAY! Okay then, grab a coffee and get ready to discover how to become a roofing expert so you can save a ton of money that you can spend on something nicer than shingles and moss like holidays or Adele concert.

Lack of Roof Maintenance

The same way you regularly maintain your car or relentlessly follow a hair routine, you need to exercise the same effort for the roof over your head. The lifespan of your roof is directly correlated to the amount of maintenance you exercise upon it. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) a roof that is well maintained can last up to 25 years or more, while at the same time poorly maintained roof can last only half as long.

The main issue you can encounter is water leaks, which is the most common problem caused by poor roof maintenance. The cost of repairs average around $2,386 or almost £2,000. Rotting wood and mold are another unpleasant ones. Water can enter through small gaps in your roof and in the winter, ice dams and water damage from blocked gutters can wreak havoc. And that’s without considering poor ventilation or inadequate flashing installation. And if you are still not convinced, ask yourself if you will be comfortable with your roof if you hear on the news the Met office announcing an approaching storm.

Poor Ventilation

Proper ventilation is like sunscreen for your roof – it’s annoying that you need to consider it, but it’s good for your wellbeing. Appropriate ventilation is very similar to that, except that sunburn can go away in a few days, while poor ventilation will get worse over time if you don’t take care of it. Just imagine a stuffy humid attic or ice dams (imagine walking underneath one, yikes!)

Not to mention the unpleasant mold and mildew that not only smells awful, but it’s bad for your health too! And your pocket as well, because poor ventilation can cause a sharp increase in your heating and cooling expenses. When heat and moisture are trapped, damage to your roofing materials is 100% certain. So, let’s save you some money and guarantee you happier and longer life by scheduling some roof inspections, shall we? Maintaining proper ventilation will allow you to benefit from a healthy roof and happy wallet!

Gaps in roof shingles

Do you have that one friend that always seems to forget their wallet, but always helps themselves with your food and drinks? Annoying right? Roof gaps are just like that, they always find a way in! And they can cost you way more than your freeloader friend. Roof gaps can cause extensive damage to your roof and result in costly repairs. There are many reasons why they appear including age, improper installation or harsh environmental conditions. Once these gaps are formed your roof becomes home for many unwanted creatures like rodents, birds and insects. And unless they are UNESCO world heritage species, they have nothing to do in your roof, as they can cause even bigger problems. They will hit your wallet hard and that’s why regular maintenance and inspections are required to keep the roof look amazing and prevent these pesky gaps from forming.

If you do see any gaps, it’s time to bust out the sealant and get those filled ASAP. And if you aren’t a roofing expert (think hard here!), it’s always a good idea to hire a professional roofing contractor to help you identify and repair any gaps in your roof. Your wallet (and your roof) will thank you!

Improper Installation

Do you know what the most common reason for roofing problems is? You guessed it! Improper installation. Broken shingles? Check. Water damage and leaks? Sure thing. Improperly installed flashing? Yess! But hold on, that’s not all. Improper installation can also attract unwanted creatures in your roof (do you remember, the UNESCO heritage ones?) allowing valuable heat or cold to escape, resulting in what? Sky-high energy bills. Happy days for the utility companies.

But wait, there are some good news for you. You can avoid these hair-pulling problems by hiring a qualified roofing contractor to inspect and take care of your roof. Don’t let sloppy installation take over your budget. Hire a professional to keep your roof in good condition (Hmm, I think I know one). That will be one of the best decisions you can ever take.

Gutters That are Ready to Give Out

Gutters are not the hero we deserve, but the hero we need for our home and business roofing system. They work very hard 24/7 to keep water away from your roof, walls, and foundation, but if you don’t take good care of them, they will stop take good care of you!

Just imagine you sit at home with your family one day preparing to watch the new Witcher series on Netflix and all of a sudden you notice water coming off the walls. You start running around the house, not knowing what’s going on and getting very angry not because your movie night is ruined but because your gutters are clogged or overflowing turning your roof into a swimming pool. You wish you had that checked! Water damage from a roof leak will set you off between £3,000 and £10,000 or more if left untreated. And let’s not even touch upon ice damming because that opens up a whole new can of worms.

The best thing you can do for your residential property, warehouse, office, etc. is to hire a skilled roofer that can identify damaged or aging gutter and repair or replace them to keep your home dry and your movie nights uninterrupted. Regular gutter cleaning is a prerequisite for keeping them in top condition. Save yourself time, money and stress by being proactive with your gutters. Give them the love and attention they need and they will take good care of you in return! And if you are worried about them, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified roofer that will identify and resolve any problems.

Vegetation

When we talk about vegetation on roofs, we mean the annoying green stuff that develops on our roofs, the moss. Yuck! Moss build up is actually a very common issue. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) advises homeowners and businesses to have their roofs checked at least every 6 months. The only way to deal with this pesky green thing is to have appropriate upkeep and to schedule regular roof inspections to ensure the longevity of your roof.

You might be wondering, how does vegetation happen in the first place? If your rooftop has inadequate drainage (did you read about the gutters above?) or little sunshine, that creates the perfect conditions for it to grow. The good news is that it’s very easily identifiable since it often takes the form of a green, fuzzy coating. If you think moss adds nice decoration to your roof and you leave it untreated for a long time, it might result in expensive repairs or at extreme cases even a complete roof replacement. Depending on how intense the moss growth is and the size of the roof, the cost to remove it can range from £200 to £1500. And if that seems a lot, just consider that the cost to repair a roof that has been damaged by vegetation can cost anywhere from £5,000 to £30,000 or more! So, let’s keep these roofs moss-free, shall we?

Flat Roofs

Flat Roofs are amazing. They can be more energy efficient than normal roofs, because they provide larger surface area for solar panels or green roofs. Additionally, according to a research by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, green roofs, which are commonly found on flat roofs may save heating and cooling expenses by whopping 50% because they provide additional insulation and lower heat absorption. It’s like your roof wears a coat.

So all this sound great, but where is the catch? The NRCA estimates the average lifespan of a flat roof to be 10-15 years as opposed to 20-25 for their pitched counterparts. Due to their low slope, flat roofs need to be inspected more frequently. Their design makes it possible for water to accumulate in certain places which can lead to ponding in areas with poor draining. And on top of that, debris such as leaves, branches, and other materials also don’t slide off flat roofs as they would from a pitched one which can cause many kinds of damage like leaks and roof rot. Lastly, we always tend to put HVAC systems on top of our flat roofs like satellite dishes and that makes them more susceptible to damage and punctures.

The conclusion is that the only way property owners can ensure to reap the benefits flat roofs have to offer is by remaining on top of inspections and upkeep. Thus, instead of being put off by the challenges flat roofs may present, plan your inspections at least twice a year to make sure you continue to enjoy the benefits they can give you.

Conclusion

Congratulations on getting through the whole blog where we talked about the top seven roofing issues that might impact your house or company. Now, you should have very good understanding of the most prevalent roof problems and how to deal with them. Remember, if you want to have pristine roof, regular inspections and maintenance are key for preventing expensive issues in the future. There’s better ways to spend fortunes on than roofs.

I would encourage you to not simply read this and not take any action. You probably though about your roof at one point when you were reading through the different issues described here. If that’s the case, schedule a roof check with a professional immediately to ensure your roof is in the best possible condition. Don’t wait until the next major storm or flood to damage your property. It can be too late by then. If you are curious about how we can help you with your maintenance, browse through our website where you can find more information about how we can be mutually beneficial. Don't let roofing issues bug you - call theFlyingAnt.