Common Issues with Roofs

Like so many other issues you can have with your property, problems with your roof can become costly and cause extensive damage if not sorted out quickly. It goes without saying that water getting in through your roof is a major problem but, sadly, it isn’t always obvious this is happening until it has already done a great deal of harm. That’s why it is a good idea to keep an eye on your roof to spot any potential problems early on. Here are some common issues people have with their roofs:

Gaps

It sounds very obvious to say that any gaps in our roofing will result in water getting in so it is always worth checking to see if your roof is missing any tiles or flat roofs have any holes in them. High wind, snow, hail and falling objects are all potential perpetrators of damage to your roof so it’s worth having a good look at your roof after inclement weather or hiring a roofing specialist to do it for you.

Trees

The issue with trees isn’t just them falling onto roofs. Over time, close contact with tree branches can wear away parts of roofs, break tiles or cause issues so it’s definitely a good idea to ensure trees aren’t getting too close to your property.

Pooling Water

If you can see standing water anywhere on your roofs (clearly, this is going to be more of an issue on flat roofs), it shows that the roof isn’t doing its job properly. Roofs are designed for water to run off them so contact a roofer if you see any puddles on your roof. Similarly, with gutters and drain pipes, if the water isn’t running down them as it should through blockages or damage, that will need to be sorted out to avoid the water seeping into the walls.

Poor Ventilation

Slightly counterintuitively, it’s just as important that roofs let moisture out of the building as it is that they keep it out. Most roofs have ventilation around the bottoms near the soffits and/or around the top under the ridge to let out condensation and hot air. Allowing these to build up as the warm air rises in your property can be bad news for the roof so keep an eye out in your loft space for mould and mildew which can occur when the warm damp air can’t escape. Blocked or clogged ventilation can cause this and these issues could be visible from the outside so it is worth checking or asking a roofer to check for you.

Aside from these issues that can occur over time especially on older buildings, there is also the issue of roofs not being installed properly with tiles not secured very well or flashings missing which can potentially cause problems so it is always a good idea to regularly check your loft for signs of damp even in newer properties. If you suspect you have a problem with your roof or any water ingress and you would like a surveyor’s opinion, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Marc on 01273 281624 or email info@tatesurveyingservices.co.uk.