Roofing Archives - Page 2 of 2 - AVA Roofing & Siding

It may or may not surprise you that one of the biggest causes of damage to a home is roof leaks. If you’ve been experiencing leaks from your roof, there are many culprits that may be to blame. Fortunately, the sooner you spot leakage problems, the less damage they will cause to your home. Here are five of the most common causes of roof leaks – and what can be done about them:

Missing or Broken Shingles

Missing or broken shingles can be one of the most visibly obvious causes of a roof problem. Even just one shingle left unfixed can cause water leakage, especially with heavy rainfall. If you notice or suspect a broken single, be sure to have it immediately rectified so the gap in your roof doesn’t become worse.

Clogged Gutters

It’s common for many homes – especially those in rainy climates – to experience gutter backup from clogged leaves and other debris that prevent water from flowing freely off the roof. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional contractor, making sure your gutters are thoroughly cleaned every year will stop these types of leaks at their source.

Holes

Depending on their size and depth, holes in your roof can lead to potentially major leakage problems. If you’ve had a TV antenna or satellite dish removed from your roof, there’s a chance it may have left a hole which can cause water to seep into your home. After removing any form of installation on your rooftop, be sure to conduct a careful inspection for holes that need to be sealed immediately.

Broken Flashing

Metal roof flashing plays an important role in keeping your roof leakage-free, as it seals roof transitions where large amounts of water run down. When flashing seals are damaged, moisture is likely to run inside to the roof seams and cause deterioration over time. Fortunately, most flashing issues require relatively simple repairs from a contractor.

Excess Moisture

When water can’t properly drain off your roof, it’s easy for excess moisture to build up and cause the lower parts of your roof to become overly saturated. Moisture can be caused by many types of roofing issues, such as poorly installed shingles or ice dams. If you notice any condensation in your attic, this is typically a sign you should have your roof checked sooner than later!

AVA Will Handle Your Roofing Needs

Are you experiencing any roof leaks? Don’t wait for them to get worse! Get in touch with AVA Roofing and let our team handle all your roofing needs.

Did you know ice dams are one of the leading causes of interior damage to homes? The scary part about ice dams is that you often won’t notice their damage until it’s too late! Ice dams have the potential not only can harm your roof, but your gutters, paint, insulation and interior drywall.

While some ice dams are small in nature, the most damaging ones can weigh hundreds of pounds. Being proactive about preventing ice build-up is the first step to preventing ice dam problems that can cause unwanted moisture in your home, such as the growth of mold and mildew. Here are some ways you can prevent ice dams and protect your home:

Improve ventilation by closing attic bypasses.

When it comes to ice dam prevention, proper ventilation plays a major role. With most heat often being lost through your home’s ceiling into the attic, it’s important to rectify unblocked walls, gaps in drywall, and cracks of light fixtures or plumbing pipes. Taking action to prevent air leaks will allow for better insultation and reduce the likelihood of ice dams forming while reducing your heating and air conditioning bills.

Rake snow off roof after a heavy snowfall.

After a heavy snowfall, one of your best and most simple defenses against ice dams is a long-handled snow rake. As long as you’re careful not to damage your shingles (or hurt yourself in the process), raking snow off your roof after a major snowfall will prevent ice dams from forming at their source. Although you should never climb on your roof, you may be able to chip away some ice by hand if you’re able to reach the eaves on a ladder.

Hire a roofing professional.

Preventing and removing ice dams can be tedious and sometimes dangerous work, which is why hiring a professional is advisable in many situations. A professional roofer will be able to remove your ice dams with special equipment to safely melt ice from your roof and prevent severe damage before it becomes problematic. Your roof will also work with you on identifying and implementing long-term solutions to prevent ice dam issues in the future.

Solve Your Roofing Challenges with AVA

Are you struggling with ice dams on your home? Contact AVA Roofing and let our team resolve your roofing challenges this winter.

Does your home need to withstand substantial amounts of snow for several months of the year? If so, a cold roof system may be the most durable and efficient roofing option. With a “cold roof,” air outside of your home are can freely flow under your roof’s sheathing, preventing unwanted leakage and damage. Here are three of the main reasons to consider a cold roof system:

Prevention of ice dams and leakage

With a typical “warm roof,” snow that hits the roof directly quickly begins to melt, run down the roof and freeze when it reaches the edge of the roof. When this happens repeatedly, ice dams are likely to occur which can add significant pressure to your roof’s core structure. Ice dams, also commonly referred to as icicles, can cause major damage to your shingles, as well as leaks inside your home. With a cold roof, your roof will remain a cool temperature in winter weather, preventing the freezing of snow and formation of ice.

Condensation

Poor ventilation and insulation can cause severe condensation issues on your ceiling and walls, which can lead to damaged wooden fixtures or furniture, and even potential negative health effects. Excessive moisture can also lead to mold and decay, especially in areas of your home where moisture is most concentrated, including your kitchen and bathrooms. Because of how a cold roof works to prevent melting and refreezing, it can significantly reduce the incidence of humidity and moisture-related problems, reducing the likelihood of permanent damage to the interior of your home.

Easy installation

In many cases, a cold roof can be installed right over your existing roof. By stripping your roof down to its layer of plywood, your roofer will install several layers of new material, as well as an extra layer of insulation if needed. Through the cold roof system, there will be new space added between the first roof deck and the shingled roof layer, allowing air to easily come through in order to keep the top roof sheathing and shingles cold, while keeping your house warm.

Learn more about a cold roof system with AVA

Interested in exploring a cold roof system? Get in touch with our team at AVA Roofing and let us help you through this process!