If there were an all-inclusive guide to owning and maintaining a home, its chapter on roofing would be lengthy. Your house’s roof provides both shelter and security. It receives daily abuse, and minor damages can wear it down over time. Thus, you should pay close attention to it and repair damages as soon as possible.
But what warning signs should you be on the lookout for? The short answer: it depends. No two roofs show damage in the same way. So, when you spot symptoms of wear (or you just want your roof inspected), turn to your local roofing replacement experts at HB Home Services. Our team has helped to maintain households in Fairfax and across Northern Virginia. By carefully inspecting and identifying any problems, we work with you to determine the best path forward.
Here, we outline common signs of damage as well as what those signs indicate about your roof:
Shingle Damage
As the layer between nature’s elements and inner roofing structure, shingles must be a high-performing substance. Common materials include fiberglass & asphalt, terra cotta, and metal. But no matter their content, shingles will someday show signs of wear and tear.
As we wrote before, cracked and fractured material should be replaced. Fiberglass & asphalt and terra cotta shingles break down over time or during heavy storms. Metal, on the other hand, corrodes and rusts over time. Both should be inspected routinely.
Due to their low cost, fiberglass & asphalt shingles remain the most popular kind on the market. But they can curl, expose their nails, or lose granules during storms. These can lead to water leaks or mold, so they call for expert inspection and repair.
Chimney & Flashing Damage
Of course, your roof consists of more than just shingles. Chimneys, flashing, roof cement, and/or vents also help to keep your home dry and pleasant. Likewise, these parts need repairs from time to time, and they show signs when starting to break down.
Roofers install flashing in the corners where roofing meets chimney bricks. This layer of metal sheeting keeps rain seepage out of your roof’s internal structure. But when damaged or improperly installed, flashing can rust and corrode away, which allows water to seep in.
Sometimes, roofers also use roof cement to create a seal with flashing. But this substance tends to crack and fall away once it’s hardened, which ruins the flashing’s seal. Again, a pro must correct this before moisture causes deep damage.
Mold & Rot Damage
Shingles and flashing are installed to keep water out of your roofing. Should it get in, water leakage can cause mold and rot. As if that weren’t bad enough, mold and water damage can reach far and require a wholesale roof replacement.
That’s why, along with the corners between roof and chimney, roofers install flashing wherever roofing meets a sidewall. This kick out flashing, made especially for these spots, prevents water from trickling into a wall or nearby window/door trim. Such moisture can rot and destroy sheathing and framing.
Despite kick out flashing, the corners where sidewall and roofing meet can be weak sealant spots. What’s more, gutters often appear near these edges, bringing a certain amount of water with them. Although made to protect your home, these materials can break down. They require routine inspections, just like the rest of your roof.
Our Local Roofing Replacement Experts Are Available for Work in Fairfax, VA!
Through careful inspection, you can help to preserve your home’s roof for years. However, when the time comes to replace or repair it, reach out to your local roofing experts at HB Home Services. Our quick roofing replacement services are now available to folks in Fairfax and across Northern VA. Call us today at (703) 764-0498 or fill out our online form and get a free estimate!
