7 Tips to Spot Potential Problems With Your Roof Installation

If you’re looking to avoid costly roof repairs in the future, it’s important that you know what to look for when inspecting your home. In this article, we’ll explore 7 tips to help you spot potential problems with your roof installation.

One of the most common reasons for roofing issues is poor installation from the start. That means that it’s important to choose a company with a high level of expertise and experience.

1. Look for Damaged Shingles

Your roof is a crucial part of your home. It keeps you safe from the elements, including rain, snow, wind and hail. It also allows proper ventilation to keep your attic cool and dry.

When shingles are damaged, they can be an indicator of bigger problems down the road. This is why it’s important to inspect your roof on a regular basis.

One of the first things you should look for is cracked shingles. These are common and can lead to leaks if not addressed quickly.

Shingles that are cracked can be caused by a number of different factors, including weather conditions, aging and improper installation. They’re also susceptible to granule loss, which can accelerate their deterioration.

Hail damage can also lead to cracked shingles. This is because hard impacts can shatter the surface of a shingle, which then breaks off the fiberglass mat underneath.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to have a professional check your roof for damages and make recommendations on how to fix them. We recommend Yakima roofers if you’re located in the area for their thorough work. With a qualified contractor by your side, you can be sure you’re protecting your home for years to come! Don’t hesitate to contact Advocate Construction today for a roofing inspection!

2. Check Your Gutters

Gutters are a key part of any home’s drainage system. They collect rainwater from the roof, funnel it through downspouts, and direct it away from your foundation.

If gutters are clogged, water will overflow and pool around the base of your home. This can lead to serious damage to the foundation, including cracks and leaking.

Ideally, gutters should be cleaned and inspected at least twice a year. If you’re not comfortable with this task, there are many companies that provide professional gutter cleaning services.

The first step to a thorough gutter inspection is to remove any debris from the gutters and downspouts. Debris such as tree branches, leaves and dirt can easily obstruct the view and make it difficult to spot problems.

Next, check the slope of your gutters. They should be slightly pitched toward the downspout to help water flow more easily.

If the slope of your gutters isn’t adequate, you should consider adjusting them or having them replaced. This can be a delicate job and may require a home inspector to perform it.

3. Look for Loose Shingles

Your roof is one of the most important components to your home. Not only does it protect your house from the weather, but it also helps keep out pests and other unwanted elements that could cause structural damage to the interior of your home.

Every shingle is important to the overall integrity of your roof. However, shingles can sometimes go missing or dislodge during heavy rain, strong winds, and falling trees or debris.

A loose shingle on your roof isn’t just an eye sore; it could also be a sign of a larger problem that needs to be addressed. For example, it could indicate an underlying issue with the sheathing or framing underneath the shingles, such as rotting or warping.

Depending on the issue, you may need to replace the sheathing and/or framing. The underlying sheathing or framing is made from plywood, OSB board or other durable material that forms the base for the underlayment and asphalt shingles that cover the roof.

Once you’ve spotted any loose shingles, it’s time to fix them. If you aren’t comfortable doing the work yourself, it might be worth hiring a professional to do it for you. A roofing expert can do the job right the first time and save you from unnecessary hassle down the road.

4. Check Your Flashing

Your roof flashing is a crucial component that helps protect your home from leaks. It also helps divert water away from vulnerable parts of your home, such as chimneys, skylights and vents.

Keeping track of the condition of your flashing is important to help avoid costly repairs down the road. A few signs to look for include warping, bending, cracking or wrinkling.

If you spot any of these in a particular area, it’s time to call a professional roofing contractor for inspection and repair.

Missing or loose flashing can invite pests into your home, as well as allow water to seep beneath it.

When this happens, it can cause serious damage to your shingles, as the water will rot and damage them.

In addition, it can lead to water leaks that eat away at the wood beneath them.

Fortunately, flashing is relatively easy to repair if it’s done properly. It’s a simple job to push back the seam and secure it with screws, and then apply roofing cement around the edges for a watertight seal.

5. Check Your Underlayment

Roofing underlayment is an essential component of your roof, as it protects your home from water damage and ice dams. It also helps to prevent shingles from slipping off the roof.

There are several different types of underlayments available, depending on the climate you live in and the type of roof-covering material you have. For example, a metal roof may need a synthetic underlayment that can resist heat better than asphalt-saturated felt.

Another option is rubberized asphalt, which is self-sticking and designed to provide a water barrier. This underlayment can be especially effective in protecting your roof from ice dams and windblown rain.

However, this type of underlayment is not fully waterproof and it is often not a good choice for flat roofs.

Poor quality underlayment is likely to deteriorate quickly and could fail long before your roof needs to be replaced. In addition, it is likely to absorb water, causing it to warp and possibly even damaging your roof deck.

6. Check Your Soffit

A roof’s soffit and fascia help ventilate your attic space by allowing air to circulate. This helps prevent heat buildup and condensation in the winter, and can also reduce the risk of ice dams.

Soffit vents should be cleaned regularly using compressed air to remove dirt, dust, and other debris that can clog them and interfere with the flow of air into your attic. Lack of ventilation can lead to excess moisture and wood rot in your attic and timber support beams.

When soffits and fascia become damaged, water can penetrate them and cause structural damage, mold growth, or even roof leaks. It’s important to get them repaired as soon as possible so they don’t continue to deteriorate and damage your home.

Check your soffit for signs of damage, such as rotting wood, cracks or holes that could admit pests, and flaking paint or wood stain. These are all warning signs that it’s time to replace your soffit and fascia.

7. Check Your Drainage

Your roof drainage system is one of the most important aspects of a well-constructed roof installation. It works to divert water away from your home and prevent basement flooding, yard erosion, and wet crawlspaces.

The roof drains and their screens need to be inspected at least annually, cleaned of accumulated debris such as leaves, twigs, granules, or dirt that may accumulate from nearby tree branches, roads, equipment, chimneys, etc. They also need to be sized correctly to handle the volume of water from rainstorms.

The drains should be installed at the lowest level on the roof surface. They should also be installed above the joists to prevent leakage into the building interior. Moreover, they should be connected to a sewer line in case of a drain pipe break down or failure.