As long-time residential roofing professionals, we at The Badger Company have seen the worst that could happen to roofs. In today’s post, we take a look at the most common roofing issues and how they can be prevented or mitigated.
- Improper ventilation. Warm air naturally rises, which means heat and humidity tends to gather at the highest indoor space of a building, which is usually the attic. Without proper ventilation, warm and humid air gets trapped in the attic, resulting in problems such as damage to the roof framing and can contribute to ice dams. A standard roof ventilation consists of exhaust vents at the ridges and intake vents at the soffits, and can be supplemented by mechanical fans.
- Poor installation. Whether you’re getting new gutters or roofing, installation quality should bear as much weight as the choice of materials and warranty coverage. After all, even the best roofing materials won’t perform as expected if not installed properly. Even small things like roof nails or fasteners need to follow a specific pattern, otherwise it would create weak spots on the rooftop. Doing your due diligence in finding a skilled roofing contractor is a good investment, and can help you avoid dealing with major roofing problems down the line.
- Lack of maintenance. Anything that’s exposed to constant wear and tear requires regular maintenance, and roofs are no exception. Neglecting your roof by ignoring maintenance can make the smallest problems turn into large (and costly) ones. While routine maintenance appointments cost money, it’s a fraction of what it would cost to fix a neglected roof — which could end up as an out-of-pocket expense, considering that insurance providers usually require proof of maintenance before claims can be approved.
- Damage from surrounding trees. Branches that touch the rooftop can scratch at the roof’s surface. On asphalt shingle roofs, this could expose the asphalt layer to UV damage, while on metal roofs, this could expose the bare metal to corrosion. If you have trees on your property, have the outer branches trimmed regularly, keeping a clearance of about 10 feet.
If you need help with residential siding and roofing, give our team at The Badger Company call at (608) 850-6282. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.