Common Roof Fixes to be Aware

Over the lifespan of a roof, inevitably you will need to fix some component or portion of the structure. Weather, water, and other elements can wear down crucial parts of your roof, creating the need for a certain level of repair. Although roofs are designed to last as long as possible, especially if they are installed by professional roofing contractors in Denver, no roof is indestructible. Whether you have a commercial or residential roof, here are some of the common fixes to be aware of.

Missing Gutter Aprons

A gutter apron is the part of your roof that is specifically designed to direct water into the gutter system. If your roof is missing a gutter apron, it can present a number or issues which will need to be addressed over time. Because water isn’t being efficiently directed into the gutter system, it is likely that some of it will make its way underneath the shingles and will wick behind the gutter. Over time, the fascia, roof sheathing, and soffits will rot, creating a much bigger problem on your hands.

If your current roof doesn’t have a gutter apron, the best time to have one installed is when you are having new shingles installed, as it will allow a roofing contractor easy access to install the apron. However, if your roof is in optimal condition other than having a missing gutter apron system, you are able to slip a gutter apron under the existing shingles. With a small amount of roofing cement, you will be able to glue it to the shingles in order to hold it in place. However, you will have to remove the brackets to the gutters and then refasten them once the apron is situated.

Roof Cement Instead of Proper Flashing Work

Often times, sloppy roofing jobs will forgo installing proper flashings and will instead place roof cement onto the portions of the shingles where they meet other surfaces, including walls and chimneys. Flashings are meant to prevent water from seeping into the interior of your structure, and completing the necessary work to have functional flashings installed can take a degree of knowledge and craftsmanship that some inexperienced Denver roofing contractors lack.

Roofing cement will work for a period of time, but eventually will crack and create leaks, causing a need to continually fix the issue over the lifespan of your roof. While you can certainly continue to re-apply the roofing cement yourself, it is certainly an undesirable situation to have to deal with. Avoid having this unfortunate situation occur by hiring knowledgeable and experienced roofing contractors who will be able to install your roof flashings properly the first time.

Hail Damage to Your Shingles

In Colorado, hail damage to roofs is about as common as a clear, sunny day. As we’ve seen the last few years, hail damage can truly create havoc to your roof and can leave it in utter disrepair. Recent hail storms in 2017 and 2018 have shown the power of mother nature to create a massive amount of damage, requiring large repair costs and creating a serious headache for businesses. Even smaller-sized hail can cause significant damage to the surface of your roof, eventually requiring repairs. While a major hail storm can certainly cause major damage to your roofing shingles, the more likely scenario is that the hail will simply knock granules off the surface of your shingle. At first, this isn’t that bad of an issue, as the shingle itself isn’t damaged enough to warrant a total replacement or repair.

However, over time the UV rays from the sun will begin to damage and eventually destroy it. Roofing shingles contain a protective layer of granules on the surface of the shingle, which a smaller hail storm can certainly puncture. Over time, more granules will eventually fall off as there will no longer be a protective granule layer over the shingle. If you believe your home has recently experienced a hail storm, it is a wise idea to have a professional roofing contractor come out to your property to assess your roof for any potential damage. As with any issue, the sooner you are able to address it the better.

Improperly Installed Chimney Flashing

A chimney flashing is installed on the surface of your roof to prevent water from seeping into your chimney, eventually making its way down into your attic and causing issues such as mold and other forms of water damage. It is crucial to have chimney flashings that are installed properly to avoid this unfortunate scenario, as a correct chimney flashing setup will eliminate any of these unnecessary headaches. Although the best scenario is to always have your chimney flashings installed correctly, this is not always the case, especially if you hire the wrong roofing contractor.

A correct chimney flashing will include the presence of both a step flashing, which runs along the side of a chimney, as well as counterflashing, which fit into grooves in the chimney to cover up the step flashing. Improper chimney flashing installations can often exclude the presence of counterflashings or will have an overall shoddy setup which is bound to allow water to find its way into your attic, especially after an intense Colorado thunderstorm. Inspect to see if your chimney flashing installation is faulty by looking inside of the chimney for any signs of water.

If you are in need of roofing services for your home or office, avoid doing it yourself and hire professional and competent contractors to get the job done. In this area, The Roof Dr. has you covered. We offer both residential and commercial roofing options for whatever your situation may be. We are a Colorado owned and operated business, and have been building roofs in the Denver metro area since 1971. Our team of qualified and experienced professionals are there to ensure the job is done as efficiently and affordably as possible. If you are need of a roofing repair or replacement, or you simply have questions about our services, contact us today!