A good roof is often taken for granted. If it’s working well, you don’t even know it’s there. There’s a saying out of sight, out of mind and that applies so well to the roof. Sad to say, it’s that important part of the house that’s most exposed to the elements and prone to being damaged. Having said that, when did you last have your roof checked? There are roofers in Buffalo NY who can do the task.
A durable roof may have been installed to protect your home but, after years of sun, rain, snow, and storms, things are bound to happen to it. You’d be well advised to have a professional inspection done on it. Wear and tear develop minor weaknesses that can easily turn into major problems. To make sure this doesn’t take place, guard against the following common problems.
- Leaks
This is the most prevalent of the headaches you’ll have concerning the roof. Regardless of the reason behind it, what’s imperative is that the issue must be attended to right away. It can worsen into a greater problem that’s more expensive to resolve if neglected. A sure sign of a leak in the roof are water stains on the ceiling.
- Standing Water
It is water that gathers at a certain spot on the roof. After some time, it can create a structural flaw in your home or lead to complications like mildew or, worse, mold and the eventual rotting of the wooden parts of the roof. This can happen if your roof has sunken parts. A blocked downspout could be another cause.
- Damaged Flashing
Flashings are the metal plates that cover the areas that the shingles or tiles can’t successfully protect. They are usually installed around whatever is built into the roof, like the chimney and the skylight. When they become loose or get bent, the damaged flashing can cause those shingles or tiles to start peeling off in bad weather.
- Clogged Gutters
It may seem like an obstructed gutter is just a waterway for your roof runoff and won’t really affect the roof itself. That’s the wrong assumption. In a downpour, a clogged gutter can back up the water into the roof and cause a leak in the house. Worse is the gutter, which is usually made of aluminum and gets rusted up and corrodes.
- Damaged Shingles
Aside from leaks, a very common roofing problem is damaged shingles or tiles. Even just age can damage them, even more so when the weather is factored in. This is a simple repair job. All that needs to be done is the replacement of the shingle. You can easily find roof installation & repair in Cheektowaga NY.
- Storm Damage
If a storm hits your area, the extremely strong wind and rain the weather brings with it can easily cause destruction on the roof. Tree branches hanging overhead can break and fall on the house. It’s at times like this that flashing curls up, shingles fall off, and corroded gutters collapse.
Weather-related damage should also be mentioned here. Snow is known to reduce the durability of a roof. When the roof is wet and the water freezes, it expands and pushes against the shingles and other parts. Problems with the roof usually arise during cold conditions. - Lack of Maintenance
The roof has to be checked regularly. Experts say it should be done at least twice a year. If you have experience as a handyman, you can probably do the first one just to see if everything’s fine. If you see things that need fixing, call the professionals. If all seems fine, give the pros a call for the second roof inspection. Keep in mind that small problems that are ignored can eventually lead to expensive resolutions.
Conclusion
A roof keeps the home dry and the family safe. To ensure this protective function is guaranteed, a house must have a well-maintained roof. We at Lifetime Siding, Roofing and Construction have professional roofers in Buffalo NY whom you can rely on to do this. You can find us online on our website or you can give us a call at 716-239-6476.
