Roof leaks can cause major problems for any homeowner. From moisture dripping from your ceiling, to ugly water stains, mold, and even structural damage, a simple leak can ruin your home. It can also greatly increase your chances of electric shock and fires, posing a massive safety risk. To prevent all these potential problems, you should understand what causes leaks.

To better stop roof leaks, you need to appreciate what the top causes are and why.

Age

Older roofs have older materials, meaning that they will be weaker and more susceptible to damage. If your roof is over 20 years old, you should pay closer attention and do more frequent inspections to watch out for any signs that there is damage starting.

Damaged Coverings

The coverings of your roof, especially shingles, can become loose or damaged, allowing space for moisture to get through and get into your home. Damage can come from nearby trees hitting it, wind blowing them loose, or even leaves and snow sitting and exposing your covering to moisture.

Cracked Flashings

Flashings are absolutely crucial when it comes to preventing water from getting in to already vulnerable spots. Flashings need to be installed around skylights, chimneys, valleys and any other area where there are openings.

Unsealed Valleys

If you have a more complex roof design, you will probably have valleys where different parts meet. These valleys must be properly sealed because water will naturally flow into them.

Overflowing Gutters

Gutters must be kept clear at all times to prevent obstructions. Once gutters get blocked, you will end up with water backing up and overflowing onto your roof and near your foundation. When water overflows onto your roof, moisture is allowed to sit and work its way through your roof. In the winter this becomes even more problematic when the water freezes and forms ice dams.

Improper Installation

Improper installation is a major cause for concern in many ways. But it is especially problematic when it comes to preventing leaks. That is because improper installation can allow for openings for moisture to get in, or pieces to come loose and fall off.

Skylights

Skylights are an amazing addition to your home, but can be very problematic in terms of leaks. Whether it is from improper installation leaving gaps, materials rotting from poor maintenance, or old age, all can end up causing leaks in your home. Whenever you cut into your roof there will always be a risk, so make sure you choose durable materials, keep up with maintenance, and install flashings.

Poor Ventilation

While you may not think that ventilation in your roof is a major issue, it does play a role in creating roof leaks. When there is no air flowing through your attic, you can end up with heat getting absorbed from your roof and then trapped. That means it can create a perfect humid climate and prevent moisture on your roof from drying.

Conclusion

Don’t let roof leaks damage your home. By paying attention to the common causes and staying on top of preventing them, you can avoid all the stress and costs that come with roof leaks. Contact our Orlando roof repair experts for an inspection.

When it comes to roofs, it is important to keep them as well cared for as possible. Even the smallest problem can lead to major issues in a relatively short amount of time. This makes it crucial that you take care of the problem as soon as possible. To do this, you need to be able to identify when you should repair and when it is time to replace your roof.

To help you decide whether to repair or replace your roof, it is important to consider certain factors.

Age

The age of your roof plays a major role in whether you should replace it. Roofs are designed to last between 20 and 30 years when properly maintained. If your roof is reaching the 20- year mark, or has passed it, you should replace your roof.

Repairing will only put off the inevitable, so it is smarter to just go right to a replacement. But if your roof is under 15 years old, it can make more sense to replace because the materials are still relatively new and strong.

Severity of the Damage

The damage itself also plays a huge part in the decision to repair or replace your roof. There are certain types of damages that are just not worth the money and effort to repair. For example, if your roof has experienced moisture damage that has not been eradicated, you can end up with structural damage and mold.

Both of these issues can ruin the wood materials in your roof, meaning you will need to replace them. Any time there is structural damage, you will most likely need to replace your roof.

Cost of Repairs

You should always compare the costs of repairs and replacements when it comes to roof damage. If your roof’s damage is extensive, you may end up paying just as much or more for repairs as replacements. Replacements may be expensive, but repairs can come close depending on what is involved.

Efficiency

If you are noticing a lack of efficiency in your home, or just want to improve your efficiency further, you should consider replacement. This will give you an opportunity to upgrade your roof through installing more energy efficient materials and features throughout the roof, including insulation. Consider going with metal sheeting or reflective shingles for even greater energy efficiency, by reflecting away heat rays.

You can also consider materials like slate or tile, which have naturally insulating features. This will form a greater barrier to separate the interior and exterior of your home. You can expect quite a bit of savings on your monthly energy bill that you can put towards maintaining your roof.

Conclusion

Don’t risk making your roof worse by not making the right choice. Repairs and replacements both have a very specific function and you need to consider everything before deciding between the two. By choosing the right way to go, you avoid further problems and save money in the long run. Our roofing repair specialists in Orlando can help you make an educated choice.

A storm hits and suddenly you have a leaky roof. As much as you would like an Orlando roof repair specialist up there as soon as possible, your contractor will have to assess the condition of the roof, figure out the repair costs, and create all the documentation you need for your insurance. This takes time,so while you’re waiting for the actual repair, there are a few things you can do to make life a little easier.

What To Do While You Are Waiting For a Roof Repair

Check Safety

Check to make sure that your family is safe and that your home is okay. You’ll want to make sure that there are no broken roof pieces sitting in your house, and that your family doesn’t have to deal with something like glass. Clear your home of debris that might be sitting around, and do a quick inspection to make sure that there’s no electrical damage within your house. If you need to, you can turn off some of the electricity and gas if you think the water has gotten that far.

Cover Leaks

You shouldn’t go up onto the roof to repair it yourself, but you can place down a tarp over the place where it’s leaking. This will prevent any further damage in your home and will prevent the leak from getting worse too. Just place some wood on top of it to make sure that it doesn’t fly away, and try to extend the edge of the tarp over the side of the roof. This prevents the water from building up and weighing down your roof.

Don’t Panic

It can be tempting to think about getting up there to repair that leak yourself, or to do more than just throw a tarp over it. But take a deep breath and wait for your roofer to arrive. The tarp will hold your home in the meantime, and if you don’t have a tarp, place a bucket underneath the hole.

Call Insurance

After you’ve stopped the problem from getting worse with a tarp, and have made sure that your family is safe, you should call your insurance provider. Let them know as soon as possible about the damage, since the faster you get someone on the phone, the faster the insurance process can get started. This is why it takes some time for your roofer to get started on repairs, since they need to make sure that you have all the documentation that you need to present to your insurance company.

Light Repairs

If the leak is really bad and has the potential to cause more damage, you might want to consider using something like roofing cement to seal holes quickly. Just make sure that you have the right tools to apply the cement, and don’t overextend yourself. Leave the roofing to the professionals, but you can do simple things like roofing cement or roofing tape as a very quick temporary fix while you wait.

Conclusion

It can take a little time for you to get your roof repaired after a big storm if you want the process done right. In the meantime though, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that you lessen the damage on your home, and to make sure that your family stays safe until everything is properly repaired.

Maybe you have a little leak in your roof, or you want to do something about a satellite you have up there. It might feel like an easy task, but ultimately, it’s best to leave work on your roof to a professional. Not only might you need certain tools that you just don’t have, but working on the roof can be dangerous. There are other reasons why you shouldn’t attempt your own repairs too.

Experience

To be frank, you’re not a professional roofer. You know that, and that’s okay. Even if you’re handy when it comes to other places in your home, a professional roofer will know much more than you when it comes to fixing up your roof. If you try to repair it on your own, it’s possible that you might make the problem even worse, or end up spending even more. Of course, roofers have the experience to mitigate the dangers of falling too.

Warranty

When your roof is installed, there’s a warranty for it. Usually, the warranty only stays in effect as long as you have licensed roofers for any and all repairs. Even if you only replace a few shingles, you might void your warranty and have to pay the full cost for any future issues.

Accidents

Let’s face it: going up on the roof is dangerous. You could fall or slip—it only takes a second. So, if you don’t handle professional roofing repair, you should stay off of the roof. Professional roofers have the ability to get on and off the roof safely, and the equipment to keep them stable when they’re climbing around to address problems.

Cost

When you do your own roof repairs, you might end up having to pay extra for any future repairs and materials. This can happen if you make the problem worse accidentally or without realizing it. You might not know the proper materials either, whereas a professional has the inside knowledge to get you the best materials for the best price. They’ll be able to help you save on energy costs as well.

Improper Repairs

You might be able to patch up your roof fine enough, but if you don’t have a professional repair your roof, you might end up making more problems for yourself in the future. You may not seal your materials well enough, leading to problems when it rains. Or you might have issues with the structural integrity of your home when smaller leaks inevitably turn into larger ones over time.

Appearance

This is something small that you may not care much about, but if you don’t have professional experience, your roof likely will not look very professional if you try to repair it yourself. The tiles may not be uniform, which can be problematic if you ever want to sell your house in the future.

Conclusion

Handy people are some of the best people out there—repairing all sorts of small problems around the house. But when it comes to repairing your roof, that’s something that’s best left to the Orlando roof repair professionals. They’ll keep your roof sturdy, and have the knowledge and experience that you need too.