Roofer Tips: The Elements of Roof Problems

If you’re a homeowner, the last thing you probably want to do is call out a roofer to fix a damaged roof. Of course, there is little you can do about that in many instances. Acts of god will happen and you can’t leave your shingles in disrepair. Roofing contractors have seen it all and know that homeowners must face many elements in the fight to keep a strong, sturdy dome over their heads. Here are just some of the elements that conspire to bring about problems. Some of them can be guarded against, while others are just what they are.

Bad Design
This is one that many homeowners are forced to struggle with. If you don’t know anything about good construction, it can be difficult to tell a bad roofer from a good one. Sure, if they are drinking beer in the middle of the day and have a crew of ten sitting around while one guy works, you know you’ve made a bad hire. But if they are diligently working, it becomes much harder to tell. Nonetheless, bad design is probably the biggest cause behind problems. 

The Sun
There’s little one can do to block the sun, and it’s doubtful you would want to even if you could. Having said that, the constant browbeating from the Earth’s energy source will take a toll that any roofer can tell you is substantial. Over time, the sun’s baking heat will crack shingles and force the homeowner to make replacements. There are materials that will prevent this from happening early, and if you live in a hot climate, it is probably in your best interest to invest in these materials.

Weather
The weather is another big element when it comes to making the roofer’s telephone ring. This is especially true when there are major storms. Hurricanes and tornadoes are natural experts at removing roofs and plopping the debris out in the middle of the road. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be anything quite that violent to do damage. Strong winds from a traditional thunderstorm, hail, snow, and even rain can eventually cause major problems. There’s only so much you can do to guard against the weather. Keep your gutters cleaned out and make sure you have protection against heavy snowfall. Other than that, check your roof every so often to make sure that you haven’t taken damage that should be repaired. Preventative maintenance, in any situation, is usually much cheaper and wiser than waiting until after the fact to call out a roofer.