Roofing’s Most Common Questions
A Definitive Guide
COMMON ROOFING PROBLEMS
Walls and floors are important for a comfortable home, but your roof is the star of the show when it comes to keeping your family shielded from severe weather. Let local Baton Rouge roofing pro answer any of your roofing’s most common questions. Unfortunately, many people forget to care for their roof, because it is a part of the house they can’t easily see. You are not likely to notice if something is damaged because of wear and tear from the elements. There are five common roofing problems your roofer sees on a regular basis, from Hammond, Baton Rouge over to Covington these hold true. All of these roofing issues start as minor roofing concerns, but before you know it, they become major roofing problems.
The climate in the greater Baton Rouge and Louisiana areas can make the roofing process problematic. Some issues may require only a simple roof repair, but others can be costly. To handle these regional problems, you need to hire a local roofer familiar with avoiding these common mistakes.
Below Are 5 Common Louisiana Roofing Problems
Shingles
All Louisiana’s new roofs started off as a wooden frame, with wood panels attached to hold its structure. Of course, wood can’t keep moisture out of your home, so the entire surface of your roof is covered with shingles. When your shingles start to curl, become damaged, or fall off altogether, rainwater can get in. Many roofing problems in Louisiana start of as improper ventilation or poor roofing installation. These causes rot in the wood, and it can lead to other problems like mildew, mold, and a leaky roof getting on your ceilings.
Flashing
Your heating and air conditioning units vent outside, along with your furnace which causes many common Louisiana roofing problems. Often, the vents go out through your new roof, which requires holes in the wood structure felt and shingles. Your local roofer uses metal or plastic flashing called pipe jacks to keep these features sealed tightly so that no water squeezes between the vents and the new roof. Damaged or missing flashing is another way to create a water leak through your roof into your home.
Gutters
Your gutters serve to move the rainwater away from the walls and foundation of your home, which prevents damage to the property. However, they can easily get blocked by sticks, leaves, and even kid’s toy-like tennis balls and small plastic footballs. Under extreme weather conditions, gutters can fill with water becoming very heavy and become detached or let water under the shingles and leak into your home. Gutters are another very common Louisiana roofing problem even though they are not technically part of the roof.
Fascia
Fascia is the name of the wooden panels that frame your roof and face outward, adding a finished look to your home. These pieces are often more fragile than other features of your exterior, so heavy winds and rain can jar them loose. This is another opportunity for moisture to seep inside. Your Louisiana home should have what is called drip edge running along the top edge that keeps the rain off the fascia and helps prevent rot.
Soffit
This unusual word is the proper name for the area underneath your roof’s overhang. It is more sheltered from the elements than other parts of your Covington home, so birds, squirrels, and other creatures often make themselves a little nest. As your home ages, it gets easier for them to find or make holes in this area, allowing them access to your walls and ceilings.
Here Are 5 More Very Common Roofing Mistakes
- Installing Shingles on Low-Slope Roofs:A roof with a pitch of 2:12 or lower is not ideal for shingling because shingles create a water-shedding roof layer, not a waterproof one. If water flows down the roof thanks to gravity, things are fine. However, if an area is too shallow a pitch, water seeps or wicks up under the shingles and creates leaks. Louisiana Roof Crafters prefers not to install shingles on any structure under a 4:12 pitch. The best option is to use single-ply materials like TPO/PVC or a specialized asphalt product.
- Not Installing Drip Edge:Though a drip edge is only required on a home’s eaves, they are recommended on the home’s rakes as well. This small metal trim piece positioned just right after the shingle’s edge, does the following: • Repels squirrels and insects • Prevents rain from getting through the roof’s edge • Channels water away to prevent fascia rot • Stops sagging shingles The drip edges must be fastened every 8 to 10 inches, and the shingles must only overhang the drip edge by about 1/4 to 3/4 inches.
- Using an Improper Starter Course:Utilizing upside-down three-tab shingles is a common practice but using them correctly means applying the unique starter material furnished by the manufacturer and setting them about 1 inch from the tar line and the roof’s edge.
- Ignoring Leak Barrier Problems: Make sure the roofer provides leak barriers in all valleys and around all skylights.
- Nailing Issues: Shingles constructed of a fiberglass mat and asphalt tear when nails are inserted at an angle, and these damaged shingles must be thrown out. Similarly, nails that are over-driven can tear a shingle’s mat. High nailing is another common problem when using a dimensional shingle, a two-ply affair with a thin area glued together. Failing to nail the shingle in the right place can make the bottom ply come apart and cause leaks.
Additionally, roofers shouldn’t use a rainbow arch were utilizing two end nails is preferable. Roofers must also avoid “shiners”: nails that can be seen from the ground and can cause leakage.
Louisiana Roof Crafters knows how to avoid these common Louisiana roofing errors and get the job done right to provide a quality service to the city of Baton Rouge through the Northshore of Louisiana.
Don’t let small problems turn into big ones in your home. Louisiana Roof Crafters, Your Louisiana roofing company offers appointments to provide basic prevention and maintenance. If you do notice signs of water damage, call right away.
LEAKS
If you live in Hammond, Covington, Slidell, or other areas in or near Baton Rouge, our staff at Louisiana Roof Crafters is ready and able to take care of all your roofing needs. You may feel that a problem such as a leaky roof is not an emergency and can be put off until your budget is healthier. But, in reality, if you don’t take care of this problem in a timely manner, the leak may cost you much more time and money in the future. In roofing Baton Rouge work done by Louisiana Roof Crafters, we see these common problems often.
Problems Caused By A Leaky Roof
The roof of a home or other type of building protects the contents beneath it from wind, hail, rain, ice, and extreme temperatures. If you neglect the repair of even a tiny leak, the problem may quickly escalate and cause further damage. This damage may result in rotten wood or turn your insulation into a paste-like substance, and over time it will weaken the structure of your home or business.
Detecting A Leak
Leaves clogging gutters can lead to roof leaks
One of the first clues that indicate you have a leak in your roof is water stains on your ceiling. Other signs may be mold or foul, musty odors in the building. Call us to come out and inspect the roof if you detect any of these warning signs. These problems don’t necessarily mean that you need a new roof. The issue may be resolved by replacing some of the flashings, repairing torn seams, replacing cracked shingles, or remedying trapped moisture underneath the roof cover. There are many common roofing problems that could be affecting your Baton Rouge home.
Don’t wait for a seemingly innocuous issue to become a large expense. Call on our staff at Louisiana Roof Crafters when a roof repair is needed for your home or business. Our products and services are unparalleled because we take the time to earn certifications that enable us to meet rigid standards of quality. We try to analyze our services in the same way that you, our customers, evaluate us. Our goal is to be known as a company that not only provides quality workmanship but also is a business that respects your property, landscaping, and environment as if it were our own.
A leaky roof can be a minor problem that can blow up into a full-blown deserter fast. Always call a qualified roofing expert in the Hammond area at first sight of an interior stain on your home.
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Roof Leaks and Moisture
When hearing the term “leaky roof,” many people conjure up images of heavy rainfall splashing through visible holes in a roof. This dramatic scene, however, is seen more often on Hollywood screens than in real households. In fact, a roof leak may not be obvious at first glance by an untrained individual. Some signs that a roof may have a leak that homeowners can easily spot include the appearance of mold or algae on the roof, discolored spots on the roof or ceiling, and an overly hot attic, as well as missing or misshapen shingles. Of course, homeowners should also be concerned about more obvious signs, such as excessive moisture, holes, or dripping water found on ceilings or walls. If any of these signs or other indications that point towards roof repair are spotted, homeowners should contact a qualified, professional roofing contractor to have the roof evaluated for a leak.
While a minor roof leak may not seem like a major problem, the truth is that even the smallest leaks can lead to destruction. Over time, a small leak may lead to problems such as the development of mold and water spots on the roof and ceiling. Other damage caused by leaks may include ceilings and roofs that succumb to rot. The presence of mold and rotting is caused by excessive moisture coming into contact with the wooden structure. Eventually, the rotting of the wood may cause roofs to cave in. This can lead to unsafe conditions inside of the home, whether due to the air quality from the presence of mold or the risk of a weakened structure collapsing. Repairing these problems can become expensive when the damage has had plenty of time to wear down the structure. Fortunately, if a professional roofer is on the case at the first signs of a leak, this severe damage can often be prevented.
Unfortunately, a leaky roof Hammond is a common problem encountered by homeowners. If a roof leak is suspected, it should be addressed as soon as possible, regardless of how big or small the leak may seem. Consulting a roofing contractor will ensure that the cause of the leak is determined and stopped instead of simply temporarily patched. In many cases, a simple roof repair at the first signs of damage can save homeowners hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Knowing you have a roof leak is usually obvious when you see the water spot on your ceiling. However, it can be much harder to pinpoint the cause of the leak. You may assume your shingles are at fault, but it could be missing flashing around a chimney, or some other entry point, that’s allowing the water to get inside your attic. Once inside the attic, water can travel along rafters and other horizontal surfaces making it difficult to find the exact entry point.
If shingles are missing, cracked, or otherwise damaged, water can, over time, begin to leak into the home. A leak can start out small and slowly cause a lot of damage if a warning sign is ignored.
Water entry can also be caused by an ice dam. Ice dams are formed by the continual thawing of snow over the warmer portions of the roof and refreezing over the cold eave. The ice dam can cause water to back up under the shingles. If your roof doesn’t have an ice & water underlayment installed under the shingles, you could be experiencing leaks.
- Water spots on your ceiling or walls
- Missing shingles
- Cracked or damaged shingles
- Missing or damaged flashing or boot covers to roof penetrations
- Water spots or wet roof decking (seen through the attic)
STORM AND HAIL DAMAGE
While your roof is designed to withstand the elements, some storms are more intense than others. There are signs to look for when you believe there may have been damage to your roof. Please be safe when inspecting your roof—possibly view from a window inside the house or use binoculars from the ground. If in doubt, call a professional roofing contractor.
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Hail Damage
- Other collateral hail damage around the house; dents on cars or other items on your house or in your yard
- A distinct pattern of small round-shaped divots on the edges of the shingles
- Indentations in the shingle where granules are missing
- A large pile of granules at the end of your downspout; a small amount is normal, especially on new shingles
- Hail Damage on other items on the roof
WIND DAMAGE
Significant wind can cause shingles to blow off the roof deck. Missing shingles can lead to leaks and other interior damage. Other wind damage may not be easy to see, especially if the adhesive seal that provides a water-shedding surface is broken. Always be safe when checking for roof damage. Call Louisiana Roof Crafters, a professional roofing contractor, for assistance.
All manufacturers publish a wind warranty on their shingles; it is important to compare the wind coverage when making your shingle selection on a new roof. If the winds that caused the shingle damage were above the manufacturer’s wind coverage, you’ll need to file and insurance claim. If they were not, contact the shingle manufacturer to file a claim.
Potential signs of wind damage:
- Missing Shingles
- Horizontal Lines-Creased Shingle
- Curled Shingle Edges
- Missing Granules
- Cracked Shingle
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FALLING DEBRIS
During some storms tree branches or other failing debris can land on your roof. Some items are small and won’t cause an issue— other items are so large that you will naturally be concerned about damage. Use your best judgment. You may need to have a professional roofing contractor inspect your roof for damage. If you have damage from debris on your roof, you will need to file an insurance claim.
Inspections Maintenance: Potential signs of debris damage:
- Visual identification of debris on the roof deck
- Missing shingles
- Cracked shingles
- A large pile of granules at the end of your downspout; a small amount is normal, especially for new shingles
ROOF TYPES
Whether you need a new roof for your existing home or you’re building a brand-new house, it’s essential to choose a quality roof. A roof offers far more than just protection for your home. It has the potential to affect the energy efficiency, overall space, and light throughout the home. You also want to consider the overall style the roof will bring to the home when making your decision. At Louisiana Roof Crafters we build the strongest roofs in the industry. We strip the old felt off your deck, remove all nails to minimize future nail pops, then inspect your deck for rotten wood before we install your new felt. When installing your new shingles, we add Storm Guard in all valleys and around all pipes and potential leak areas like chimneys and skylights. These extra steps are not standard but are our way of going the extra mile to minimize the chance of a leak. The best roofs are from Owens Corning and installed by Louisiana Roof Crafters. Here are some examples of common roofs in the Mississippi and Louisiana areas.
The Hip / Hip and Valley Roof
An excellent type of roof to discuss with your roofing contractor is a hip roof, which slopes on all sides. The sides are the same length, and at the top, they come together, forming a ridge. This type of roof is more stable than the gable roof, mentioned below, so they work well in areas that are snowy and areas that get high winds. In the southeast Louisiana hurricane-prone regions, this is an excellent roofing system to choose from. These roofs also offer plenty of ventilation, the ability to include additions, and extra living space.