Roofing is one of the few things that DIY enthusiasts should be wary of. Even though replacing or repairing a roof with a professional can cost a lot, handling it yourself is not really something that you want to compromise on to save money. Hiring a professional will ensure that all problems are noticed and dealt with before they become a problem in the long run. While it may be tempting to try and replace some materials on the roof, you risk voiding the roof’s warranty. To help you identify roofing problems that you should not fix on your own, we’ve created a list of the top 7 problems.
1. Worn-Out Roof
The life expectancy of a roof depends on many elements, but no matter how long it’s advertised to last, it shouldn’t be taken for granted. When you contact a professional roofing contractor, you’ll notice that they have to conduct a very thorough and professional round of inspection before any replacement or repair to determine the type of project needed. Having a professional do routine maintenance rounds and inspections should help you avoid these problems. If the roof is completely worn out, you don’t want to try and fix it yourself because there will be a whole myriad of issues that you’re most probably not equipped to deal with.
2. Structural Damage
This is one of the most obvious signs that don’t need much observation to know that you’ll need professional help to fix. For example, a large tree that falls on your roof may require you to either replace the entire roof or to repair a very large portion. This means that the structural damage that befalls your roof will require serious work and professional repair. Roofing contractors are quite familiar with such scenarios, if you visit the site, it explains what you should expect from a roof replacement job. The professional will check every part of the roof to make sure that there are no hidden damages. After fixing the roof, the contractor will check on the sealant and flashing because they tend to be damaged after heavy impacts. If it requires a full replacement and you don’t have insurance, it’s advisable to directly resort to a professional to get it done quickly without complications.
Structural damage can often be caused by serious weather damage and natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. This kind of damage is not directly tied to the state of the roof, whether it’s new or old, as much as it’s tied to the severity of the environmental stress. Even if your roof appears to be doing fine after a heavy storm, it’s hard to actually know without having a professional look at it; issues with mold or insulation can require professional equipment or eyes to detect.
3. Tile Replacements
Roofing tiles may look easy to replace, but they’re actually one of the hardest maintenance jobs to get done on a roof. These tiles are designed to smoothly fit together, creating a seamless and proper design that helps the roof insulate the house against environmental factors. One misplaced tile can actually cause the whole roof to deteriorate pretty quickly because it will start taking on damage from outside. Even if you have the exact tiles you need, installing new ones can sometimes disrupt the whole structure when it’s not done right. You don’t want a gust of wind to cause your tiles to be blown away. This is why it’s recommended to always go for a professional when you need to replace any tiles.
4. Flashing Replacement
Flashing is a certain type of material that’s applied to the areas where water tends to pool down as a sealant. It’s a very important element, but you only realize how important it is once something happens to it. It’s found near the base of the roof, pipes, attic ventilation systems, and chimney joints. Flashing is made out of a mix of steel or other strong water-resistant materials. Since flashing is continuously exposed to elements of nature and water, it’s usually the first part of the roof that wears out with time. While replacing the flashing is relatively simple, the wrong execution can cost you a lot more than hiring a professional for the job to check the durability and water-resistance.
5. Decking Repair
The base layer of the roof where the tiles sit is called the decking, which is made of plywood. This is the foundation that the whole structure of the roof is built on, making it a pretty critical element. Problems start when leakage or contortions happens for any reason. Ponding is a common issue that happens when your roof’s surface becomes contorted, making it uneven in a few locations, which can cause water to pool instead of sliding down. Fixing the decking is not an easy job because it will require the precise removal of a lot of the decking material and replacing it properly. It also needs to be resealed once the replacement is done to avoid any leakage or damage to the interior of the house.
6. Ventilation Issues
Improper ventilation is a pretty dangerous and common roofing problem that many people are unaware of. Any roof is connected to vents at the shaft and near the top of the structure, which allows fresh air to enter your home from the base and push the circulated warm air through the top exit. If there is anything wrong with the ventilation, mold plus heat can cause your roof to start becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, which can be a serious health concern. You’ll want the help of a professional roofing contractor to ensure that your vents are working properly in a safe manner.
7. Leaks
Roof leaks can get quite problematic because there is a whole variety of issues that can cause it. The lack of standard diagnosis for the leak would make it quite difficult for you to properly identify the cause. While working on the symptoms to prevent leakage may work for a little while, it will not remove the problem from the root. Whether it’s replacing tiles, flashing, or resealing caulk, it’s recommended to leave it to a professional to properly identify the cause of the problem.
Identifying the problem is one of the most important aspects of repairing a roof, and that isn’t usually easy when there are many variables and factors. Roofs don’t come cheap, which is why you’d want to avoid making things worse because it will cost you much more to repair and replace. There is nothing wrong with a passionate DIY spirit, but make sure it doesn’t impair your judgment. For more roofing guide click here https://www.ghclark.com/everymans-guide-to-repairing-any-roof/.
