If you have recently purchased a home, then you need to make sure that you inspect all aspects of your house closely for any signs of disrepair. And, you want to make sure that you are keeping a keen eye on your roof for signs of any defects. After all, you have no idea who may have installed the roof on the home. There are some sure signs that you have a defective roof and should be contacting your residential roofer right away.
Sunken Roof Structure
Some roofs are not perfectly straight and this is acceptable as long as the water is able to escape and flow down to your gutters. However, you should know that it is a very bad sign when the roof actually bows inward towards the middle. This is called a sunken roof and it is a sign that the original installation was not a good one.
Sunken roofs are the result of extensive water damage. This damage has reached deep under the shingles and the tar paper to the wood base. This base will absorb the fluid, weaken, and then bow inward from the weight of the shingles. And, over time, the bowing will increase to the point of full collapse.
Typically, a sunken roof will be the result of poor installation where shingles were not overlapped properly over one another. Also, if the previous contractor did not use tar paper, then water can easily get to the roof deck. Sometimes, extensive cracking within the shingles themselves can lead to the issue and this is a manufacturing problem.
Since a complete roof failure is inevitable in the future, you want to work with a roofer to get the problem resolved quickly.
Uneven Shingles
As previously mentioned, manufacturing problems can cause shingle failure. And, there are a wide variety of signs that this is an issue that you are experiencing. The shingles simply will not lay flat on the roof structure. They may curl on the ends, blister up in the middle, or appear wavy in appearance with plenty of wrinkles.
Poorly manufactured shingles can also rip easily and they may absorb water, making them look thick and bloated.
If your shingles simply do not look right and you note a problem that extends across the roof, then your professional roofer can take a look. Oftentimes, the shingles themselves must be examined by the manufacturer to determine the cause of the problem. The good news is that many manufacturers will have warranties that extend for decades. They are typically transferrable to new homeowners as well.
Roof problems can go from minor to really scary in no time at all. One day you have a little leak, and the next you're left with major water damage in your attic. But it does not have to be this way. Well-informed homeowners know how to recognize roof leaks, and they know the importance of regular maintenance for roof longevity.
How do you become one of those well-informed homeowners? By visiting our website, of course! Here, we have articles about common roofing problems, hiring a roofer, choosing a good roof, and even DIY repairs. Every home has a roof, and every homeowner should know the basics about roofing.