Expand your Knowledge of Roofing Installation

Signs of Big Roofing Trouble
Even Roofs Have Enemies
Glossary of Roofing Terms
Components of an Asphalt Shingle Roofing System
Components of a Rubber Roofing System (EPDM)

Signs of Big Roofing Trouble

Some people do not call a roofing professional until they have sustained serious and/or expensive damage to the interior of their home. Avoid these costly repairs by scanning your house for these signs trouble before it is too late!  If you think you see any of these signs, we'd be happy to discuss a replacement project with you.  Click here for a -Free Estimate-

Dark, "Dirty-Looking" Areas on Your Roof

Possible causes: Environmental pollutants; vegetation, fungus or algae growth; loss of granules due to age of shingles.

Stains on Interior Ceilings & Walls or Mold & Mildew Growth

Possible Cause: Inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment allowing leakage, or inadequate ventilation.

Missing, Cracked or Curling Shingles

Possible Cause: Shingles have reached or exceeded their useful life.

Excessive Energy Costs

Possible Cause: Insufficient attic ventilation causes heating/cooling systems to run excessively.

Roof Shingle, Sheathing and Siding Decay

Possible Cause: Poor attic ventilation.

Leakage in Attic after Driving Rain

Blistering and/or Peeling and Outside Paint

Blistering and/or Peeling Outside Paint

Possible Cause: Excessive moisture or high humidity due to poor attic ventilation

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Even Roofs Have Enemies

Sun: Heat and ultraviolet rays cause roofing materials to deteriorate over time. The deterioration can occur faster on the sides facing west or south.

Rain: When water gets underneath shingles, shakes, or other roofing materials, it can work its way to the deck and cause the roof structure to rot. The extra moisture encourages mildew and rot elsewhere in the house, including damaged walls, ceilings, insulation, and electrical system.

Wind: High winds can lift the edges of shingles (or other roofing materials) and force water-and debris-underneath them. Very high winds can do extensive damage.

Snow and ice: Melting snow often refreezes at the roof's overhang (where the surface is cooler), forming an ice dam and blocking proper drainage into the gutter. Instead, the water backs up under the shingles and seeps into the interior. During the early melt stages, gutters and downspouts can be the first to fill with ice and be damaged beyond repair or torn off the house.

Condensation: Condensation can result from the buildup of relatively warm, moisture-laden air. Moisture in a poorly ventilated attic promotes decay of the wood sheathing and rafters, possibly destroying the roof structure. The solution may be to increase attic ventilation through the use of larger or additional vents so the attic air temperature will be closer to the outside air temperature.

Moss and algae: Moss can grow on wood shingles and shakes if they are kept moist by poor sunlight conditions or bad drainage. Once it grows, moss holds even more moisture to the roof surface, causing rot, and its roots actually work their way into the wood. Algae also grows in damp, shaded areas on wood or asphalt shingle roof systems. Besides creating an ugly black-green stain, algae can retain moisture, causing rot and deterioration. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the house to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage.

Trees and leaves: Tree branches touching the roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials as they are blown back and forth by the wind. Falling branches from overhanging trees can damage - or even puncture - shingles and other roofing materials. Leaves on the roof system's surface retain moisture and cause rot, and leaves in the gutters block drainage.

Missing or torn shingles: The key to a roof system's effectiveness is complete protection. When shingles are missing or torn off, the roof structure and interior of the home are vulnerable to water damage and rot. The problem is likely to spread and nearby shingles could easily rip or be blown away. Missing or torn shingles should be replaced as soon as possible.

Shingle deterioration: When shingles get old and worn out, they curl, split, and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. Weakened shingles are easily blown off, torn, or lifted by wind gusts. The end result is structural rot and interior damage. A deteriorated roof system only gets worse with time, and it should be replaced as soon as possible.

Flashing deterioration: Many apparent roof leaks really are flashing leaks. Without good, tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights, and wall/roof junctions, water can sneak into the house and cause damage to the walls, ceilings, insulation, and electrical system. Flashings should be checked as part of a twice-yearly roof inspection and gutter cleaning.

With proper installation of quality roofing materials by experienced and knowledgeable applicators and proper care, the homeowner can expect the affects of these enemies to be reduced significantly in the long run: Providing a prolonged life expectancy to the homeowner or future homeowner. United Home Experts provides a quality installation with the protection of a Rock Solid Extended warranty. Contact your Project Consultant for details.

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Glossary of Roofing Terms

Deck/Sheathing:

The surface-usually plywood or oriented-strand board (OSB)-to which roofing materials are applied. The boards or sheet materials which are fastened to the roof rafters to cover the house.

Dormer:

A small structure projecting from a sloped roof, usually with a window.

Drip edge:

A flashing (usually metal) installed along the edges of the roof to allow water run-off to drip clear of the deck, eaves and siding.

Eave:

The horizontal lower edge of sloped roof.

Fascia:

A flat board, band or face located at the outer edge of the cornice.

Felt/underlayment:

A sheet of asphalt-saturated material (often called "tar paper") used as a secondary layer of protection for the roof deck.

Fire rating:

The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) system for classifying the fire-resistance of various materials. Roofing materials are "Class A," "B" or "C," with "A" materials having the highest resistance to fire originating outside the structure.

Flashing:

Pieces of metal used to prevent the seepage of water around any intersection or projection in a roof, such as vent pipes, chimneys, valleys, and the joints at vertical walls.

Louvers:

Slatted devices installed in the gable or soffit (the underside of the eaves) to ventilate the space below the roof deck and equalize air temperature and moisture.

Oriented-strand board/OSB:

Roof deck panels (4’ x 8’) made of narrow bits of wood, laid down lengthwise and crosswise in layers, held together with a resin "glue." Often used as a substitute for plywood sheets.

Penetrations:

Vents, pipes, stacks, chimneys-anything that sticks up through the roof deck.

Rafters:

The supporting framing to which the roof deck is attached.

Rake:

The inclined edge of a roof over a wall.

Ridge:

The top edge of two intersecting sloping roof surfaces.

Slope:

Measured by rise in inches for each 12 inches of horizontal run: A roof with a 4-in-12 slope rises 4 inches for every foot.

Square:

The common measurement for roof area-100 square feet (10’ x 10’)

Truss:

The engineered components which have supplemented rafters in many newer houses. They are designed for specific applications and cannot be cut or altered in any way.

Valley:

The angle formed at the intersection of two sloping roof surfaces.

Vapor Retarder:

A material designed to restrict the passage of water vapor through a roof or wall.

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Components of an Asphalt Shingle Roofing System

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Components of a Rubber Roofing System (EPDM)

EPDM continues to be the roof system of choice for architects, engineers, roof consultants, contractors and building owners. EPDM offers versatility, product varieties and availability, environmental benefits, contractor knowledge and familiarity and cost effectiveness. In short, EPDM's popularity is growing because "EPDM Continues to Perform." From the arctic reaches of northern Alaska to the humid climates of Central America, from the deserts of the Middle East to the continuous wet seasons of the Pacific Northwestern U.S., EPDM's performance is living proof that quality roof system design and installation continue to stand the test of time.

EPDM is an elastomeric polymer synthesized from ethylene, propylene and a small amount of diene monomer, compounded with carbon black, processing oils and various cross-linking and stabilizing agents. As a thermoset membrane that recaptures its shape after stretching, EPDM maintains its physical properties for decades. EPDM is manufactured in large sheets varying in width from 10 feet to 50 feet, and features lengths up to 200 feet. The membrane can be reinforced and comes in thicknesses of 45, 60, 75 and 90 mils (thousandths of an inch). Back to top