Can you imagine living in a home without a roof? Not only would we have no protection from things like pests and debris entering our homes but we wouldn’t be kept dry, our homes would be much louder, and rain and snow would be able to enter our homes in addition to many other issues.
Thank goodness homes are equipped with roofs. Living in The Heartland means we experience periods of heavy downpours year-round along with snow and ice storms. Our roofs keep us dry and protected from these weather conditions and ultimately keep our families safe.
Unfortunately, roofs don’t last forever and they do need to be replaced roughly every 15 years depending on which type of roof you have. They can also develop issues over time that are easy to fix or can result in costly repairs. Continue reading as we share 5 common roof problems and how to fix them so your home can stay drier for longer.
Leaks
Roof leaks are more common than you would think. Many homeowners experience a leaking roof especially in a climate that has extreme weather conditions (AKA The Heartland). Leaks can occur for many different reasons including holes in the roof, missing shingles, gutter issues (we’ll get to that a little later), attic condensation, etc.
Luckily, if you catch a leak early on then you should be able to fix it in a less costly way than if it were to go unnoticed and cause more damage. Roof leaks are usually easy to identify; you’ll likely notice a stain on your ceiling. Once you identify where the leak is then you can inspect the roof (safely, of course) to see if there’s a missing or damaged shingle. If the shingle is missing or if you notice any other damage, contact a professional roofing company and request to have it replaced.
Missing Shingles
As we just mentioned, missing shingles are a likely cause of roof leaks. Not only is it dangerous to have a missing shingle but if it goes unrepaired then it’ll likely cause damage to the shingles surrounding it. The result could be a costly repair that involves a roofing company having to repair water damage and multiple missing shingles.
If you do notice a missing shingle, like we previously mentioned, contact a roofing company immediately. It’s best to have the shingle(s) replaced using the same type of shingle as the rest of the roof. Roofing professionals know what they’re doing and they’ll get your shingle(s) repaired the right way to prevent further damage. Not to mention it’s safer to hire a professional rather than try to fix a roof yourself.
Algae
If your roof has black streaks, spots, or moss growing then you most likely have an algae buildup, a relatively common roof problem in certain regions like The Heartland. What exactly is roof algae? Those ugly streaks are aquatic plants that grow and thrive in humid conditions. You may be thinking how can an aquatic plant grow on my roof? Homes that have trees on their property can easily develop algae if a spore settles on your roof. Standing water and clogged gutters can also result in roof algae. Roof algae thrive and grow in climates that are humid and experience higher than average rainfall, AKA The Heartland.
So how can you prevent algae from growing on your roof? If you do have trees that closely surround your roof then ensure they’re trimmed to eliminate spores from settling on your roof. Keeping trees trimmed will also expose more of your roof to the sun which helps dry your roof faster, resulting in less of a chance for algae to thrive. You’ll also want to make sure that your gutters are kept clean year-round (more on that below).
If you do notice algae streaks or spots on your roof then contact a roofing specialist. They’ll be able to help you while keeping your roof safe. Cleaning agents from home improvement stores can cause more damage so it’s best to contact a professional.
Clogged Gutters
One of the most common causes for a roofing issue to occur is clogged gutters. How can gutters possibly affect a roof and cause damage like leaks and other costly repairs? It’s simple – your gutter system is your home’s drainage system. It functions to collect water from your roof via the gutters and drains it away from your home through the downspouts. Without a properly functioning gutter system, your roof could experience a whole slew of issues including, but not limited to, those listed below:
- Leaks
- Damage to the shingles
- Algae and moss buildup
- Your roof’s lifespan will be shortened
Keeping your open-top gutter system clean and clear of clogs is crucial to prevent costly damage from occurring to your home but it’s especially true for your home’s roof. A roof is one of the most expensive investments homeowners make and you’ll want to make sure you protect that investment as best you can. Keeping your gutters clear of clogs will help lengthen your roof’s lifespan.
When you install the K-Guard Clog Free Gutter System on your home you’ll never have to worry about the damage that can occur to your roof as a result of your gutter system. Our gutter guards will keep your home’s roof drier due to the following components: a curved hood that allows debris like leaves to simply slide off rather than enter the gutter system, oversized gutters, and oversized downspouts that allow for up to 23 inches of rain per hour to be pushed through the system. The result? A gutter system that will never clog and keeps your roof drier for the lifetime of the home.
Tree Damage
It’s a well-known fact that The Heartland sees its fair share of severe weather from thunderstorms to a rainy season that can bring heavy downpours and high wind gusts and a winter that can result in frequent ice storms. When you combine the risk for severe weather and trees that surround your home, you could be facing the potential for some serious roof damage.
Trees can cause all sorts of damage to your roof. Even smaller, less established trees that are close to your home can fall through your roof, leaving a huge hole in your roof and exposing you and your family to danger. Trees can also cause damage like trapped moisture, damaged shingles, dents or holes in the roof, etc. Much like you would prevent algae from building up by keeping trees trimmed, keep them trimmed to avoid further damage to your roof.
All 5 of these common roof problems can be avoided and fixed, depending on the severity of the damage caused to your roof. Be sure to keep your trees trimmed, gutters cleaned, and repair any signs of leaks or missing shingles as soon as possible to keep your roof in tip-top shape.
Let’s face it – cleaning your gutters is a nuisance. If you’re tired of cleaning them regularly then consider installing the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. Leaves and other debris are blocked from entering the system, resulting in a clog-free solution that protects your home’s roof better than any other “complete” system on the market.
If you’re interested in learning more about the K-Guard Gutter System or if you have any questions, contact us today. We offer free in-home estimates that include a detailed analysis of your current gutter system along with estimated costs for installing your K-Guard Clog Free Gutter System. K-Guard proudly offers our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but not limited to, the following locations:
