A recent analysis of homeowners’ claims data released by a large insurance company found that 39% of all claims filed for homeowners’ policy damage was to roofs. On average the cost to repair a roof is between $300 and $1,500, all depending on the amount of damage that has occurred to the roof.
Missing or damaged shingles
When most people hear about different types of roof repairs, the majority revolve around the wind. When high winds hit a house with a roof on it, big uplift forces hit the roof. In most cases the holding power of the roofing nails are not strong enough to counteract these types of forces, especially when the shingles on a home are old and hard as opposed to flexible. In most cases a single shingle will be lifted up creating an opening for moisture to seep in. As moisture seeps in through the lifted up shingle, it then travels down through the other surrounding materials to cause further damage.
Over time the asphalt in the shingles will become brittle from the sun’s UV rays. This can cause cracks in the shingle as well as the granules to fall off. This can cause individual shingles to fail. In many cases a few shingles can fail at a time. However, the number of shingles can fail quickly and require a large amount of repairs. The process of replacing individual shingles involves removing the shingles from the area that are needed to be replaced. Once the shingles have been removed the decking beneath needs to be checked for any signs of moisture damage.
It is normal for homeowners to ignore small problems on their roofs thinking they will go away on their own. Most roofing problems develop over time and can change overnight from minor repairs to costly emergency repairs. What could have cost $200 several months prior to repair a few missing shingles, could end up costing as much as $2,000 to repair when the damage has extended to the structure of the roof. Save money in the long run by paying to fix small problems when they occur.
Flashing failures around penetrations
However, the most technical aspect of a roof and the most frequent point of failure is the flashing. It is used around most of the roof’s penetrations to prevent water from leaking from them. The material used for the flashing can fail for a variety of reasons but the most common reason is poor installation. The flashing around chimneys is perhaps the most difficult to install properly because of the immense thermal stress that the area around a chimney is put through. The constant expansion and contraction of the chimney, due to temperature changes, causes the flashing to flex and move. Over time this constant stress can cause the flashing to deteriorate and eventually fail.
Chimney flashing are the worst for failures. This type of flashing sustains the greatest amount of thermal stress on any part of the roof. The flashing will pull apart from the masonry of the chimney over time. The step flashing that runs along the sides of the chimney are particularly prone to failure at the seams. The folds or bends in the flashing create stress points where the flashing is most susceptible to failure. Even with proper installation, the caulk or other sealants that are used to seal the flashing at the chimney can deteriorate over time and cause water to leak from between the chimney and the roof.
Vents are another common site for roof water entry similar to that of chimney flashing problems. This type of roof damage is most frequently found at locations where plumbing vents penetrate the roof such as sink, toilet and shower exhaust fans as well as HVAC units such as air conditioning, heat pumps, and heating units. As with chimney flashing the rubber boot that surrounds these vents can develop cracks allowing water to leak into the home. If this type of roof leak is not addressed in a timely manner the amount of damage that is done to the structure of the building can increase dramatically prior to the repair being addressed.
While damaged or missing roof shingles are often the root cause of most roof repair issues, the areas around roof flashing gets its own special mention as these are often the hardest part of a roof to repair and this is particularly the case for homeowners with skylights. In many cases the internal damage caused by leakages from such areas can be worse before the problem is discovered. Homeowners with homes in coastal areas should also note that the flashing is also prone to damage from salt air corrosion and as such it is advised that any repair work is carried out by a reputable roof repair Virginia Beach company that have plenty of experience repairing and maintaining roofs of homes that are similar to your own.
Gutter system complications
Leaking gutters create more problems than just water coming down the outside of your home. By stopping water from leaking out of clogged gutters you stop water from
Clogged gutters cause many problems. When gutters clog water overflows from the gutters and enters into the house, through the walls or through the ceiling. Water also can seep between the shingles, often at the roof’s edge. Ice dams are another common problem. Water forms into ice at the roof’s edge in cold weather. Clogged gutters also place a great deal of stress on gutter hangers. This stress can cause hangers to pull loose from the roof. Another common problem with gutters is gutter separation from the roof’s line. There are many reasons for gutter separation. Some of the reasons are improper use of fasteners, and the use of gutters that are too small for the roof that they are on.
Structural deck deterioration
As with roofs made of other materials, roofs made of plywood or OSB fail due to water damage. Typically, this type of failure is a slow process of decay until a portion of the roof begins to sag as if it collapsed into the attic space.
The deck of a home’s roof typically fails due to moisture related damage. This form of damage typically takes place on a roof over a long period of time and then suddenly fail under normal load. In many cases, the amount of damage found is greater than what can be seen from the inside of the attic. In most cases, the entire roof will need to be stripped of all of its materials and then the damaged decking can be repaired.
Preventive maintenance reduces repair frequency
Your Roof Inspection will find the problems with your roof prior to costly repairs. Find out what is your Roof healthy? We have found that minor repairs are significantly less expensive than an emergency repair. The Roof Inspection also will provide you with documentation of the condition of your Roof. This will be beneficial during weather incidents in which you have to file an insurance claim for damage caused by a storm. Your insurance company can verify that you had been maintaining your Roof in good working order and that any damage found was a direct result of weather.
It will also be very valuable to document the condition of your roof and the repairs that were made in the event that you need to file an insurance claim due to damage caused by a storm. Most insurance companies will differentiate between wear and tear caused by lack of maintenance and weather related damage. Documenting all repairs, no matter how small, in a timely manner is always best.
