When a roof has its problems, it is important to deal with them straight away before further damage is caused by the water that is leaking in. Sometimes, the solution is simply to stop repairing an old roof and install a new one. It can be cost-effective in the long run.
So, let us think about how we should deal with certain roofing problems so that we can determine just when a new Roof Installation is required as the best measure to protect a home.
Problems with Tiles
If roof tiles are loose, missing, cracked, buckling, curled, torn, or rotting, they will need replacing. This happens over time and is due to weathering and the elements eventually taking their toll on a roof. A professional roofer is the best person for the job to make sure that all the tiles that need to be replaced are and then they can be kept secure and watertight.
Another reason for hiring a professional roofer is that it is likely that if your roof is over 20 years old, the whole roof will need replacing as all the tiles are going to be in a similar state. You then have a qualified roofer on hand to advise you what is best to do to avoid spending more money on a roof that is better replaced as a cost-effective decision in the long term.
Storm Damage
Storms cause significant damage to roofs. Hurricanes cause the worst kind of damage. Many regions are susceptible to them, meaning that a complete roof installation should be considered where a roof is just not standing up to the kind of weather beating it is receiving from the elements.
When replacing your roof, you then have a choice of the materials and the shape that will best protect it from the kinds of weather that you are frequently experiencing. Your home can be protected from a lot of wet weather by having a sloped or pitched roof fitted to deflect the water and stop it from pooling and then leaking inside. High winds can be coped with when a roof has at least 4 sides. Better still 6 or 8, which is possible. This will generally add to the appeal of a house for most people. Research then suggests that metal is the best material for coping with hurricanes.
Having thought about the wind and rain, there is also the heat of the sun to consider. Again, metal, as well as being considered hurricane resistant, and indeed a trendy material, suits most warmer climates. It is both durable and versatile, and for those concerned with the environment, is sustainable too. This is because most steel, aluminium, and copper will be made from recycled materials. So, if constant rain does not make having a flat roof a good idea, and so has us sacrifice our roof garden due to it, at least we can be helping the environment in terms of the sustainable materials that we choose.
Roof Collapse
A roof can collapse if there is increased weight on top of it because of snow or heavy rain. Also, any dry rot or structural damage because of water seeping in, due to a recurring roof leak, will result in a potentially unstable roof that needs attention before the inevitable happens. Water also collects because of inadequate or blocked roof drainage concerning gutters and downspouts, but your whole roof drainage system, including guttering and roofing angles, can be improved by a specialist roofing firm.
Visual inspections will prevent water damage and roof collapse, as will regular maintenance and a roof that has been well installed in the first place. If a roof becomes severely water damaged, it will need replacing as a matter of safety. This is to protect the people and contents inside a home. A neglected roof will become something of an emergency.
In summary, many roofing problems are preventable by installing a good quality roof in the first place as much as keeping one well maintained. However, inclement weather situations can cause damage as much as you try to prevent it, so it pays to have your roof regularly checked so that a qualified roofing professional can assess when it is time for you to have a completely new roof installed as opposed to a repair. It may be sooner than you think.
