As an exposed part of your property, your roof can take quite a beating. But it’s important to keep it in good condition so your home is protected.
Part of looking after your roof is keeping an eye on it. If you frequently check it for damage then you should be able to fix it before the problem gets worse.
To help you take care of your roof and look after your home, we’ve come up with 6 common roofing problems and how to solve them.
1. Leaks and moisture
Heavy, wet and windy weather can dislodge your roofing material and lead to leaks. These can cause mould and rot, dangerously weakening your roof.
Spot leaks in your roof by inspecting it regularly, especially after bad weather. Look for puddles, drips or water marks on the internal side of your roof. If you find any, you’ll need to call in a roofer to fix the problem before it gets worse.
2. Faulty flashing
Flashing is usually made out of metal or plastic. It seals your roof around chimneys, windows and other points where it’s been penetrated to protect it from weathering.
If flashing is poorly attached or bad quality, it can become dislodged and lead to holes in your roof. This will weaken it and cause leaks. If you suspect your flashing is faulty, ask a roofer to come and take a look at it.
3. Ponding
If you have a flat roof you might get ponding. This is when rain water accumulates on your roof and hasn’t drained off after 48 hours. Ponding can weaken your roof, particularly in very cold conditions. You don’t need to act immediately if you see ponding on your roof, but you should keep an eye out for any damage. If you’re having the roof replaced you should tell your roofer about the problem so they can rectify it.
4. Dislodged or damaged roofing
If parts of your roof have been dislodged or damaged, this might be due to tree damage. Overhanging tree limbs can rub on a roof and knock off tiles and shingles. You may not have noticed this if the tree only comes into contact with your roof when it’s windy. To prevent this problem from getting worse, cut back any overhanging branches and consider cutting the tree down if necessary. It’s a good idea to get advice from a tree surgeon before going ahead with this.
If tree damage is not the cause of the problem, foot traffic is another possibility. People walking on your roof can easily dislodge tiles and shingles and cause damage. Roofers usually install walkways when they’re working, but this isn’t always effective. If you’ve recently had roofers in and notice some damage, it’s worth calling them and asking them to take a look.
Whatever the reason, try to replace or repair damaged roofing as soon as possible. This will prevent further damage and keep your roof in good condition.
5. Blistering
Blistering is when bubbles appear in roofing materials. This is usually because air or moisture is trapped under the surface.
If you find blistering on your roof, don’t panic. It’s usually something that happens to older materials, particularly asphalt shingles. Keep an eye on them though, because when or if they pop, they might need patching up or replacing.
If you have only just had the roof installed, however, speak to the installer you used. Blistering can be a sign of poor installation and should be investigated.
6. Alligatoring
Alligatoring is a term for when asphalt develops cracks. It’s called this because the cracking can look like scales, as it doesn’t go all the way down to the material base.
If you notice alligatoring in your asphalt flat roof, you need to rectify it. If water gets into the cracks it can make them bigger, especially in freezing conditions. Cracks can either be repaired by filling them in or patching over the top of them.
So now you should know a bit more about common roofing problems and how to solve them. The cost of roof repairs varies, have a look at our roof cost guide to get a better understanding of the costs involved. If you need to find a professional to help you with your roof, fill in our online form. We’ll connect you with up to 4 roofers in your local area.