A new roof protects your home from harsh weather conditions and helps to keep your family safe. However, homeowners sometimes find an estimate for a roof replacement is higher than expected and need help understanding why. Here are items you may see on your estimate and why these expenses are necessary to install a roof properly.
Category: Residential Roofing
Cost Comparison: Residential Metal VS Shingle Roof! Which One Is The Best Deal?
When it’s time to replace your home’s roof, it’s easy to grow overwhelmed by the variety of options available. Asphalt roofing shingles have been the go-to residential roofing material for a long time. But more recently, metal roofing has become increasingly popular among homeowners, making it the second most popular roofing material.
Continue reading “Cost Comparison: Residential Metal VS Shingle Roof! Which One Is The Best Deal?”
The most important things to do when you have a roof leak
Your roof needs to be as watertight as possible. Unfortunately, outside elements, such as rain and snow, can find their way into your home. When your roof is leaking, there’s never time to spare. A leak can cause extensive damage to your home, especially if it goes unfixed for too long.
That’s why it’s important to spot potential issues early and call a reputable, local roofing contractor ASAP to get the problem under control. Taking immediate action can mitigate the damage – and the cost of repair.
Common Causes of Roof Leaks
Determining the underlying cause of a roof leak is necessary to fix the problem and prevent similar future issues.
- Old Age: Once the roofing materials age beyond their expected lifespan, they become brittle and break down over time. As a result, your roof becomes less effective at keeping water out.
- Compromised Shingles: Roofing shingles that are compromised in any way can’t do their job correctly, leaving the other components vulnerable when rain, hail, or snow hits. Improper installation, faulty roofing materials, or extreme weather can cause damage. A fallen tree branch can also puncture the roofing materials.
- Damaged Flashing: Flashing is a piece of metal that goes over seams and joints to protect from leaks. Flashing that is not installed correctly can move out of position and allow water to enter. It can also crack, corrode, or get damaged over time, letting water in.
- Improperly Driven Nails: A roofing nail can back out of a shingle if it isn’t driven in far enough or is driven in sideways. When it rains, water will follow the nail right inside.
- Clogged Gutters: Sticks, leaves, and other debris can cause water to pool up on the roof, back up under the shingles, ad seep into your home.
- Ice Dam Buildup: Ice dams occur when ice lines the edge of your roof due to poor attic ventilation. Ice dams allow water to leak into your roof through any weak points or cracks.
How to Spot a Roof Leak
Never climb onto your roof to assess its condition. Instead, look for telltale signs of a leaky roof from the ground and from inside the attic.
On the outside, you should look out for the following:
- Actual dripping
- Water stains on walls and ceilings
- Dark spots
- Bulging on walls
- Sagging
- Standing water or puddles
- Damaged insulation
- Musty smells or moldy odors around roof rafters and sheathing
- Places where lights shine through
On the outside, keep an eye out for the following:
- Missing or damaged flashing
- Mold on exterior walls
- Damaged, cracked, or missing shingles
- Damaged plumbing vent boots
- Clogged or slow-draining gutters
- Loose material around vents and chimneys
- Rust is you have a metal roof
As soon as you suspect or spot a leak, your best course of action is to reach out to a roofing contractor. The roofer will thoroughly inspect your roof to determine the cause and location of the roof leak, as well as the extent of the damage. They will also recommend and make whatever repairs are necessary.
What Could Happen if You Ignore a Roof Leak?
Now that you’ve spotted a roof leak, what’s the worst that could happen if you ignore it until it’s a better time for your budget or schedule? To start with, that leak isn’t going to self-repair. And leaving even the most minor leak unaddressed can and will result in more severe issues down the line.
- Interior Damage
Excessive moisture accumulation can cause significant damage to your roofing system, insulation, ceiling, walls, and personal items. Ignoring that leak gives water more time to corrode and compromise the structural integrity of your home.
- Health Problems
When water seeps into insulation, walls, and ceiling, it creates the perfect condition for mold growth. Not only is mold unsightly, but it can also cause several health problems. Mold can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and skin irritations. Mold removal can be a costly undertaking.
- Reduced Roof Lifespan
Regardless of the size, leaks that get overlooked weaken the roof system and necessitate a complete roof replacement much sooner than you would expect.
- High Energy Bills
Moisture can soak your insulation, reducing its ability to prevent heat transfer. As a result, your HVAC will work harder to keep indoor temperatures at a comfortable level. Heat or conditioned air can also escape through gaps or leaks in the roof.
Leave Leak Repair to the Professionals
No matter how much you trust your DIY skills, trying to fix the roof yourself may lead to more problems. If your roof is leaking, contact a reputable, local contractor instead of going at it on your own. Here are the reasons why:
- Roofers are experienced; they know exactly what the problem is and how to fix it
- They have proper safety measures and equipment to prevent injury
- They can spot problems that are not obvious to the untrained eye
- They follow building codes and manufacturer’s guidelines to keep your warranty intact
- They can quickly respond to any damage
- They have the tools and manpower needed to get the job done
- They deliver professional results
- High-quality roofing service will extend the lifespan of your roof
Turn to Allstate Exteriors & Restoration for Exceptional Roof Repairs
Who should you call when you have a roof leak? Allstate Exteriors & Restoration! We can stop any roof leak and give your roof the TLC needed to deliver optimal performance. Contact us today to schedule an estimate for your roofing project. We serve homeowners in Central Ohio and Cape Coral, FL.
How To Know What A Roof Ice Dam Looks Like
A roof ice dam can cause costly repairs if not caught early. There are signs to help you identify you have a potential problem. A simple walk around your home to do an inspection can reveal that ice dams are forming on your roof. You can do this without climbing onto the roof. Most of these signs can be seen from a walk around at ground level.
Here are several warning signs that you may have a roof dam:
- Water stains on exterior walls- This is done from inside your home. Take a walk along the exterior walls and take note of any water stains or signs of moisture. Keep track of the location so you can match the area with the section of the roof that may be leaking because of an ice dam. The moisture may be entering from another spot, but this will give you a starting point.
- Icicles around the gutters- If you see icicles hanging from the gutters, don’t assume that an ice dam has formed at that location, but it is a good indication that one may be starting to form in that area. Keep track of that spot to do further inspection.
- The area around the skylights- This can be hard to see from the ground so you will want to contact a roofing contractor to get a closer look at the roof. Don’t attempt to climb up to the roof yourself.
- Water running down the siding- An ice dam can block your gutter so water cannot properly drain. Instead, there may be places where water overflows the side of the gutter and down the outside of your home. This usually leaves stains that can be seen when examining the siding.
Many people routinely clean the gutters every year to prevent ice dams. If you suspect ice dams are forming that may cause a water leak on the roof or siding, you must take action quickly. Damage to interior walls or wood structures may occur if left untreated over time. Roofing contractors have tested methods to eliminate the forming of ice dams. Please consider contacting Allstate Exteriors with any questions about ice dams or other roofing and exterior concerns. We have been proudly serving customers in the Central Ohio area since 2002. Schedule an inspection early before the winter arrives and keep your home protected during the winter months.
3 Reasons Why You Should Winterize Your Home & When To Start
Winter is hard on homes. From falling snow to cold temperatures, this season can lead to roof damage, siding damage, leaky pipes, and more. You can’t keep Mother Nature from having her way, but there are steps you can take to prepare your home for the challenges of winter. This process is often known as winterizing. Continue reading “3 Reasons Why You Should Winterize Your Home & When To Start”
How To Tell If Your Leaking Roof Is An Emergency
The most common reason people go to the emergency room, says one hospital, is headaches. We all love playing Doctor using our internet search engines, so a mere headache becomes an emergency. But what about a leaking roof? Is a leaking roof an emergency? Continue reading “How To Tell If Your Leaking Roof Is An Emergency”
5 Potential Causes Of Your Metal Roof Leak (& How To Fix It)
Metal roofs are remarkable for their durability and longevity. Still, like any roof, a metal roof can leak. The challenge is knowing how to fix leaking metal roof panels, fasteners, or flashing. For that, you need the skills and experience of a professional metal roofing contractor. Continue reading “5 Potential Causes Of Your Metal Roof Leak (& How To Fix It)”
5 Clues That Help Your Roofer Reveal Hard-To-Find Roof Leaks
You arrive home after a tough day and find an ominous note from your spouse on the kitchen table: “Roof leaking can’t find where, plz fix ASAP.” You have mixed emotions: your spouse trusts you to diagnose and fix a leaking roof, which is excellent. But, your spouse expects you to tackle such a tremendous job. Really?! Relax. We can help. Continue reading “5 Clues That Help Your Roofer Reveal Hard-To-Find Roof Leaks”
3 More Important Layers Of Your Roof
If homes came with parts manuals, those instructions would take thousands of pages. For example, your central Ohio home’s roof is not a single piece but a group of parts connected together to function as a water-resistant shield over your home. Three necessary layers of the shield are the roof deck, ice and water shield, and underlayment.
Why Selecting Materials Is An Important Part Of Your Roof
You know you have to pick out materials for your central Ohio home’s new roof. You also know you have almost no understanding or interest in roofing materials. So why is it important to care about which ones you select? Selecting the right roofing materials is nearly as important as selecting the right contractor. Continue reading “Why Selecting Materials Is An Important Part Of Your Roof”