Although a roof may look like a simple structure, it is actually comprised of a fairly complex system made up of a variety of materials that are combined to create a watertight, yet breathable covering. Because of this, roofing must be done with care to avoid problems.
This important building covering should be installed by experienced roofing companies that know how to prevent serious issues that could affect the entire system over a period of time. Some failures may also be caused by problems with the material itself or even ventilation problems. Following are the six most prevalent roof system failures and why they happen.
- Loose or Missing Flashing - Flashing covers areas where various roof structures come together, leaving exposed material edges. Flashing keeps water from entering under those edges and damaging the layers underneath. When the flashing is loose or has come off, important protection is reduced or eliminated. Missing and loose flashing accounts for a high percentage of leaks and water damage that roofing companies must repair.
- Roof Penetrations and Punctures - Anything that passes through the surface of the roof, such as a skylight, attic vents, or other exhaust or ventilation pipes, increases the possibility of a leak in that area. All protrusions must be carefully sealed and flashed to prevent water from entering. Similarly, any puncture of the system caused by debris such as branches or people walking on the surface can leave places where water can get in. Over time, even tiny punctures or poorly sealed penetrations can be responsible for a large amount of damage.
- Blisters and Wrinkles - Blisters and wrinkles can happen under shingles and membrane roofing systems. In both cases, the culprit is moisture under the roof or within the various layers that may be caused by poor ventilation or improper application of the layers. Blisters that appear on membrane systems can break or shingles can be lifted off the decking with each instance. This invites moisture in which can quickly damage the entire roof.
- Splitting and Breaking - Like blistering and wrinkling, roofing systems can also experience splitting and breaking, depending on the quality of the material used and how well it was installed. Both splits in membrane roofs or split and broken shingles reduce water tightness and allow water to seep in, causing serious damage to the building structure beneath.
- Poor Sealing - Although the installation of various roofing systems means using different materials and techniques, they all involve using some type of sealant to protect the decking. When sealants are improperly applied by unskilled roofing companies, or when underlayment or adhesives do not thoroughly cover the decking, the result can be slow, hard-to-detect leaks that can cause extreme amounts of damage over time.
- General Wear And Poor Maintenance - Even though roofs are designed to withstand the elements for many years, they still face wear and require maintenance. From keeping the surface clean to the prompt repair of small concerns found during a regular inspection, proper maintenance is essential to slow the effects of wear and prolong the life of the entire roof system.
To get the longest life from all roofing systems, home and building owners must provide necessary maintenance and look out common concerns known to cause roof system failure. With the help of experienced roofing companies, home and building owners can detect small issues and make any necessary repairs before they get any bigger!
