It would be an understatement to say that the roof is quite an important part of the house. Homes are not called “a roof over your head” for no reason! So if you haven’t checked the condition of your roof for a while, then it might be high time to do so. This is because, unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong with a roof and, if left neglected, these roofing problems will only worsen over time. Eventually, you may find that you have a quite a big job on your hands, one that is sure to use up a lot of time, effort, and money.
If you are looking to sell your home at any point in the near future, then you should make it a top priority to ensure your roof is in good condition. CityHome Collective, a real estate brokerage out of Salt Lake City specializing in luxury homes, advise that roofing problems are one of the issues sure to put off potential buyers. However talented and dedicated an estate agent is, there is little they can do to sell a house with a serious roofing problem. It is just too serious an issue.
What’s Up with the Roof?
The simple fact of the matter is that no matter how durable or high grade your roofing materials are, they will degrade over time and eventually need repair. With effective repair and maintenance, a roof can stay in great shape almost indefinitely. Without it, problems will eventually arise. And for effective maintenance, a roof needs to be regularly checked. It is worth then keeping up a routine of regular check-ups.
But what are you actually looking for? Here follows some of the most common roofing problems – and how to fix them. Get yourself acquainted with these problems, and it’s very unlikely you’ll find much to surprise you.
Roof Leaks
It’s unlikely you’ll need any article to inform you that one of the most common problems with roofs is that they often leak. Obviously, water entering your home will alert you to a leak, but if you are looking for one on the roof itself, then check around the chimneys, gutters and close to vents or pipes. You can also check the attic and look for water marks, mold, or black marks. Unfortunately, fixing a leak is something best left to a professional roofer – the tools and expertise you would need would end up costing you as much anyway.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the material made of plastic or sheet metal that is used to protect creases on things like chimneys or skylights. Damaged flashing will normally look cracked and will typically have to be replaced. You will often have to remove surrounding materials such as shingles. Speaking of…
Broken or Missing Shingles
Shingles get broken and damaged and begin to come off when the sealant used to affix them to the roof wears away. Weather, rodents, and simple wear and tear can all be responsible for this. The good news is that shingles can be fairly cheaply bought and will just need to be replaced with new sealant.
Pooling Water
If your roof has any flat parts, then any slight depressions can very quickly begin to collect water. This can damage your roof in time. To fix this, you will need to create tapered surfaces all over the flat parts of your roof. This can be quite a big job, so you may wish to make use of a contractor.
With a little diligence, none of these problems need get out of hand. As mentioned, regular checkups are the way to ensure the problems stay small.
