Winter is one of the most inconvenient times for homeowners to have an issue with their roofs. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to call for emergency roof repair service.
Leaking
Water can cause a significant amount of damage to your home in a very short amount of time. As soon as you notice a leak, it’s necessary to get a professional to evaluate it as quickly as possible. In some cases, you may notice that leak while you’re up in the attic. In other cases, you may notice water dripping from your drywall ceiling or hear dripping behind your wall.
Missing Roofing Material
Another obvious sign that you need professional assistance is when you notice missing roofing material. In some cases, you may be able to visually see missing sections of shingles. However, in other cases, you may simply find your shingle or a piece of flashing on the ground after a nasty snowstorm. Either way, any missing roofing material will leave your roof susceptible to water damage.
Impact Damage
When strong wind gusts and heavy snow combine, they can wreak havoc on tree limbs. Unfortunately, you may find that one falls on your roof. When this happens, it creates impact damage that can be extensive enough to break the water-resistant integrity of your roof. If your roof undergoes impact damage, it needs to be assessed as quickly as possible to prevent further damage from occurring.
Gutter Issues
Your gutters are necessary components of your home’s water diversion system. They remove precipitation from your roof and direct it away from your home’s foundation. Gutters are some of the most common roof components that can be damaged in the winter. Large icicles can form on the gutters, adding weight that can bend or pull gutters out of place. Snow load can also accumulate and slide into gutters with enough force to pull them off your eaves. This is especially true if you have a metal roof.
If your gutter has fallen down or become loose, it should be repaired promptly. If the gutter won’t adequately drain water and seems to have a clog in it, it should receive service right away. When gutters back up, they can allow water to penetrate below the shingles and even run down the siding to your home’s foundation.
Sagging Roof
One particularly alarming issue you may experience is a sagging roof. It will seem as if the sides of your roof dip down in an arc-like fashion. Usually, this is the result of a failure somewhere in your roof’s overall structure. The failure may be due to wood rot or improper load calculation when your home was built. Snow load can make this worse. Have this problem assessed promptly.
Curling or Buckling Shingles
For roofing shingles to be effective at removing water from the surface of your roof, they must be completely flat and adhere to the roof’s decking material. Unfortunately, older shingles may curl up at their bottoms. In every spot where they’re curling, the shingle is exposing the underlayment layer of your roof. While this layer is somewhat water-resistant, it won’t be long until it fails and allows water to seep into the roof’s decking material.
Rusted Roof Valleys
It’s common practice for metal flashing to be placed in roof valleys to help accelerate the draining of water and protect the underlying layers of roofing materials. Unfortunately, as with any type of metal flashing, the material in your roof valleys is susceptible to corrosion over time. This will likely be accelerated if this area also collects leaves. If you notice any rusting in your roof valleys, it’s best to have it evaluated by a roofing professional. You never want to let it continue unhindered, as the flashing will eventually rust through and allow water to seep into the lower layers of your roof.
Algae or Moss Growth
One problem that may not seem overly alarming is having mold or algae growth on your roof. While it detracts from the overall curb appeal of your home, it can also cause damage to your roofing material. Both algae and moss hold onto excess water. This water will prematurely deteriorate the surface of your shingles. It’s best to have a professional roofer remove the growths and apply a specialized solution on your roof to prevent further growth from developing.
You See Daylight in Your Attic
One very concerning problem you may run into is seeing daylight coming in through various spots in your attic boards. Any place that sunlight can come in is a place where rain and snowmelt can enter. It’s best to consult a roofer to examine these locations and remedy them before you experience water damage.
What Happens During an Emergency Roof Repair Service?
If you’ve identified a problem and called us for emergency roof repair service, your next logical concern may be what happens during the service call. The first thing will be that our roofing professional will evaluate the specific roofing problem that you have. They’ll determine the root cause of the issue and make a plan for remedying it.
In some cases, a repair can be made at the time of assessment. For example, if your roof is missing a handful of shingles, we can put down to cover up those areas. Or a new piece of flashing can be installed around any roof protrusion to ensure your roof remains water-resistant. Unfortunately, in some severe cases, a full roof replacement may be necessary. Typically, a tarp is applied to the problematic roofing area until a full replacement service can be completed. This will help to keep water out of your home until you can get a new roof installed.
A Note on Roof Inspections
One service that is extremely valuable to homeowners is a roof inspection. It’s advisable to have a professional inspect your roof each year. This way, they can identify potential problems while they’re small and inexpensive. This inspection may be a part of the warranty contract for roofing materials. A material manufacturer may void the remaining warranty coverage on your roof if you can’t show proof of annual roof inspection services.
What’s more, an annual roof inspection is a great way to find out how much longer your roof is likely to last. This can give you an appropriate amount of time to plan for a roof replacement when it’s convenient for you. Plus, you can avoid many common problems of a failing roof by simply having yours replaced before it reaches the end of its service life.
Expert Emergency Roofing Service
At The Roof Detective, we offer expert emergency roofing service for Columbus, OH and the surrounding area. We can help with all your commercial, roof installation, repair, gutter, and siding needs.
Contact our office today to book your next consultation about your home’s roof with one of the experts at The Roof Detective.
