As your roof wears over the years, different issues may manifest. As a homeowner, you won't have a comprehensive report of what is happening until you consult a roofing specialist. Still, you need to have an idea of such issues in advance to better protect your roof from the factors that could threaten to lower its life span. Here are three ways to identify a damaged roof, what the damage means, and how a roof repair company can help:
A Blistered Roof
Blisters usually appear as raised bubbles on the surface of your roof. These occur when moisture is trapped between your roofing plies and the insulation system. As the sun continually hits your roof, it heats the moisture, causing it to expand and push the roofing materials upwards, hence, blistering.
Moisture can initially get trapped in several ways. The first is if the roofing structure is installed over the substrate while still damp. Another source of moisture is the use of wet materials such as felts. Additionally, the moisture build-up can occur when the insulation material is not stored properly, thus getting exposed to moisture. It can also get trapped if the installations are done on a rainy day. To help prevent these issues, ensure that a professional roofing contractor does the installation.
Presence of Open Laps
The next roofing issue to watch out for is open laps, which can occur if the roofing is handled by a non-professional. A suitable adhesive is applied on the lap during a professional roof installation. The weather may also affect how the adhesive holds up because if bitumen membranes are applied on a cold day, you may notice build-up that opens up as time goes by.
Moreover, if your roof is single-ply and you apply the membrane on a dirty roof, or if you use heat welding on a cold day, it can lead to open laps. The same result is observed if you use too much or too little adhesive. To prevent this, hire a roofer to handle all adhesive applications.
Roof Splitting
Roof splitting is another issue that may also occur if an expert roofer is not involved in the process. It may be due to the use of flashing (a metal accessory) together with a membrane. This is not advisable because the two components not only expand but also contract at different rates. Generally, metal expands faster, which can take a toll on the membrane and eventually cause it to split. This issue is more common with asphalt roofing.
Contact a company like J. Cwanger Inc to learn more.
When you have something you like inside a jar, you probably put a lid on it — right? In a way, you can think of your house in the same manner. You like and value the items inside, along with the inside of the house itself. So, it only makes sense that you would protect the interior of your home with a lid. That lid is your roof.
Keep that perspective in mind as you read this blog. Learning more about roofing will feel more interesting if you remember what a roof does: it protects the inside of the home and the people who live in it.