For a structure, your roof might not seem like a complex structure, but it can be considered one of the most complex and expensive systems of any home. That shouldn’t be a surprise since your roof was made as a vanguard for any weather conditions. Whether it’s raining, snowing, gust winds blowing at more than a hundred miles an hour, or even just hailstorms, our roofs are designed to last decades.
But no matter how foolproof our roof and any part of our will be, there’s still going to be a chance that leaking can happen. When you’re situated in an area that gets substantial rain, there’s a high chance that your roof will start to leak after getting bettered by continuous rainstorms. That’s not too bad, right? Well, not really.
While water might not seem like much of a problem, it can have a lasting effect on roofs and your home’s structural integrity if your roof does leak. On top of creating even larger holes on your roof, moisture can also seep into your roof if left unchecked. Most of the time, condensation can lead to mildews slowly sapping away at the tensile strength of your wooden beams and sidings. Not only will this look unsightly, but this can also lead to a cascade of different problems.
What About Flat Roofs?
For flat rooftops, HVAC equipment is quite vulnerable to water damage, especially when water gets trapped from ponding. For the most part, since HVAC equipment will use electronics and other sophisticated machinery, it’s best to ensure that they are dry and protected from the different elements.
If you’re having some problems with your air conditioning, heating, or ventilation, it might be useful to do regular maintenance and repairs if needed. AC tune-ups and rehabilitation can help in extending the lifespan of your HVAC equipment.
Typically, flat roofs are designed with a slight pitch of around 1/12 to 0.5/12. That means that for every 12 feet traversed on your roof, the slope increases by 1 or 0.5 inches. It is a standard design used for flat roofs to funnel and redirect water off your roof toward appropriate areas.
Causes and Preventive Measures
To know the remedy to a problem, we must understand its root in the first place. When repairing or maintaining your rooftop, several factors need to be taken into account.
Here are some reasons why your roof is leaking or having excess moisture:
Structural Damage
Firstly, structural damage is one of the most apparent signs that your roof might need much-needed repairs. These damages can come in many forms and sizes, but they are often in the way of cracks in concrete, rusted steel beams, hollowed-out wooden supports, and ‘sweating’ on your ceiling, which is caused by trapped water or termites.
Most of the time, this is due to pests such as termites that burrow into these wooden surfaces. Although termites are not so fond of cold weather conditions, they can still be found in warm parts of the country. They’re also quite difficult to root out since they rarely get out of their nests.
Improper Installation
One of the most common reasons condensation happens is that the insulating layer for the roof was improperly installed. Too much insulation could mean that moisture will get trapped in your roof’s interiors while too little insulation means that temperature can quickly fluctuate.
When water does condense towards the insulation materials, the retained water can encourage the proliferation of molds and other organic materials. While this might not seem like much of a problem, it can build up after years of neglect.
Cleaning Gutters
Usually, leaking is not necessarily caused by the roof’s integrity but could be caused by a clogged up gutter system. Cleaning your gutters can ensure that water flows towards the right areas and can be disposed of without drenching your roof.
Hiring a Professional
We’re sure that nobody has all the time in the world to accommodate and repair their roof. Most of the time, people will have their own business that they need to attend to. On top of that, not everyone is an expert in roof repair and maintenance. That means that it’s always rational to have a roofing expert attention to your roof for you. It will ensure that you won’t be placed in harm’s way, but you’ll also have ample time to attend to your daily tasks.
There’s a lot of telltale signs that you have to keep an eye out for when identifying damages on your roof. But at the end of the day, it’s best not to do anything by yourself. If possible, asking for professional guidance and help will ensure that no accident can happen to you and that any repair work on your roof won’t be shabby.
Roesler’s Roofing & Remodeling is a reputed company with many years of experience. We here are committed to providing you with quality roof repair, replacement, installation, and remodeling services at affordable prices.
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