Can You Repair Parts of a Roof?

What is the number one cause of roof failure?

Deterioration of your roof’s structure caused by water intrusion is the leading cause of roof failure. Wood structures like rafters, when continually exposed to water, may grow mold or bacteria that causes the wood to decompose. Metal roofs exposed to too much water can rust or corrode. Failing shingles, damaged membranes, and interior condensation often allow water to intrude into the roof’s structure. Here are 6 other leading causes of roof failure:

• Failures of the roof’s drainage system, clogs in particular
• Other nearby buildings shedding water runoff onto your roof
• Too much insulation that stops heat loss and changes melt-off patterns
• Improper structural modifications to plumbing, mechanical, or electrical systems, etc., that affect the structural integrity of roof trusses
• Damage caused during installation to roof trusses.
• Flawed design errors

Why should roofs be patched up immediately?

Leaks can create serious problems when it comes to roof repair. If you delay the repair for too long, you run the risk of serious water damage to your home. Leaks lead to mold growth that affects the structural integrity of your roof and can affect your indoor air quality. In the long run, this means more expensive repairs, as well as reduced energy efficiency.

What causes roofs to leak?

There are, in general, 5 common causes of roof leaks: people, problems with seams, neglect, rooftop equipment and weather.

• People: Most roofs can handle light foot traffic, and sometimes it is necessary to walk on roofs. On commercial buildings, for instance, you may need to make repairs to rooftop HVAC systems. But, people may be careless when it comes to walking on rooftops and drop tools or mishandle parts.
• Seams: On commercial buildings especially, the seams of roofing membranes will delaminate and lead to leaks.
• Neglect: Not taking care of your roof with regular maintenance will cause all sorts of problems from debris piling up and creating clogs to mold and moss growth due to moisture build-up under failing shingles.
• Rooftop equipment: Large equipment like HVAC on commercial rooftops can create problems, especially if repair technicians are neglectful. Screws can be pulled out and not replaced, which leaves you with a point of entry for water
• Weather: Everything from hail to high winds can seriously damage rooftops. Sometimes the damage might not be obvious. That’s why it’s important to get your roof inspected after these events occur. Professionals will be able to spot damage others might not recognize.

Why do roofs get blown off?

When you have high winds, tornadoes, or hurricanes, these events often create shifts in air pressure. Those shifts in air pressure can lead to roofs getting blown off or lifted away from the roof. Severe weather of all types is quite capable of blowing roofs off.

When tornadoes develop, people often open doors or windows as a safety precaution. This can cause a dramatic shift in the air pressure, which leads to the roof lifting away from the house.

High winds can be dramatic. Sometimes sections of shingles can be lifted up from the decking without being blown off. After the wind dies down, it may appear as if nothing happened. But, when inspected, it will be clear that the nails have been loosened and the shingles have been damaged.

Will homeowner’s insurance cover a roof that’s been blown off?

If your roof ever gets blown off during a storm, you should receive coverage from your insurance company. Usually, homeowner’s insurance covers any sort of damage caused by a natural or unexpected event.

Insurance normally won’t cover any damage, however, that’s caused by homeowner neglect.

It’s best to check your individual policy or consult with an insurance agent to find out exactly what is covered because policies will vary.

Will a roof leak if the shingles have blown off?

Any time you have missing shingles, no matter the cause, you want to get a roof repair as soon as possible. That’s because even one missing shingle leaves your roof vulnerable to leaks. This is especially true if the shingle that’s missing covers a seam. And, there is a 1 in 3 chance that your missing shingle was sitting above the seam between shingles. So, the odds are really not in your favor, when it comes to missing shingles and leaks.

What is the life expectancy of a roof?

The life expectancy of a roof will vary depending on the roofing material that’s used. On the high end of the scale, slate roofing tiles can last more than a century. But, slate roofs are heavy and expensive. Metal roofing tiles are generally lost-lasting with a life expectancy of about 50 years. Metal roofs are expensive to install but are beneficial in the long run. Asphalt shingle roofs are the least expensive to install. They last anywhere between 25 to 50 years. Newer technology improves the shingle’s lifespan and durability.