Leaks & Service Repairs

757-399-3066 ext 3 (Leaks & Service Repairs)

Reroof Estimates & Inspections

757-399-3066 ext 1 (Reroof Estimates & Inspections)

Tag: skylight water damage

Top 10 Roof Problems

The health of your roof is crucial to the integrity of your home. Knowing the 10 most common roofing problems can help you to catch the damage early enough to make adequate repairs. Here are the most notable problems.

Roof Leaks

Your roof has to handle the elements. Rain, snow, hail and wind may lead to moisture inside the roof. If this happens, rot and mold are the next step.

Faulty Installation

A badly installed roof leads to bigger problems. If you want your roof to have a long lifespan, it needs to be installed up to standards and by a professional.

Critter Infestations

Small birds and animals may cause a lot of damage to your roof. If you have an animal infestation, you want to take care of it as soon as possible.

Poorly Installed Flashing

Flashing seals areas such as vent pipes, chimneys, skylights. When flashing is not installed properly, it leads to open seams and blown off tiles.

Pooling Water

If water pools on your roof, this problem normally arises from debris buildup or from HVAC units that don’t properly drain. It may also be due to gutter problems.

Ventilation Problems

Ventilation regulates temperature and moisture levels. Ventilation problems lead to costly energy bills and mildew issues.

Shrinkage or Blistering

The roof membrane may shrink and cause cracks in the upper layer. Watch for blistering, splitting and surface erosion.

Overhanging Limbs

Tree limbs may rub the surface and wear away at the top layer of your shingles. Trim your tree limbs back as much as possible. No tree should be a threat to your home.

Improper Maintenance

Your roof needs checking regularly. With proper maintenance, you can control any problems that occur to your roof.

When it comes to taking care of your roof, it’s crucial that you know the most common problems. The more that you know, the easier it will be to ensure that your roof lasts. Contact Andrews Roofing today at 757-296-0553 for help with your roofing needs.

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4 Risks of Putting Off Roof Leak Repairs

A leaky roof causes major problems for a home. While a small leak may not seem like an issue, putting it off could lead to these and other costly repairs. Don’t wait to contact a local roofing contractor if you find signs of a leaky roof. Here are four common risks that you face if you put off repairs.

  1. Electrical Damage

Moisture in your ceiling and walls can come into contact with your electrical wiring and outlets. Electrical damage can vary dramatically in scope. It may only cause your breaker to trip, or worse, it could cause an electrical fire, damaged appliances or personal injury. A prompt roof repair will minimize the amount of water that enters your home and could come in contact with your wiring.

  1. Reduced Insulation Efficiency

A roof leak can cause water to pool in your attic and walls, which can soak your insulation. Most homes use fiberglass insulation. This insulation, and many other popular types, clump and compress when exposed to water. Your home will lose a significant amount of energy efficiency if the insulation is soaked with water.

  1. Mold and Mildew

One common health risk in homes with water damage is mold. Mold and mildew growth can occur on nearly any surface in your home, from structural joists to drywall to insulation. Even a few days of water leakage from your roof can start mold to grow in warm, dark areas of your home. While not all molds are harmful to your health, many can damage the look and efficiency of your walls, ceiling and floors.

    1. Increased Roofing Damage

While you may think a minor leak isn’t worth repairing, small leaks can quickly turn into major headaches. A small amount of water begins to soak the wood of your roof. This creates soft spots that could cause more leaks, ice dams or even a collapsed roof. If your roof has a minor or major leak, don’t wait to contact us at Andrews Roofing for comprehensive, professional repairs. Call 757-296-0553 today for a quote!

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How To Deal With Water Stains on Your Roof

When the outside becomes treacherous, a solid roof is your first line of defense against the elements. You can imagine how disheartening it is when the protective covering of your home starts to change in appearance—a clear indicator that your roof is feeling the impact of inclement weather over time. Water is among the most common causes of aging in a roof, leaving unsightly moisture stains that threaten to compromise the security of your house if left untreated. Consider the color of water stains and extent of damage when coming up with a solution for your roof.

Black or Green Roof Stains

Black or green water stains on your roof indicate growing organisms, such as algae or moss. The presence of constant moisture and sunlight makes for a delicious and cozy harvesting area for such microscopic tenants. They can lock in unwanted dampness or invite other, larger creatures to wreak havoc on the top of your house. Power-spraying or scrubbing the problem on your own is possible, but likely to cause further, irreparable damage.

White or Yellow Roof Stains

White or yellow discoloration on your roof suggests hard-water buildup from an air conditioner or evaporative cooler. This type of staining often occurs on lower areas roof beneath cooling units and sticks out like a sore thumb. Similar to algae-type staining, attempting to scrub or power-wash will probably make things worse. Rather, you can try fading the damage with a vinegar solution, which works to gradually dull mild stains without risk to the plants or animals around your home. Be careful of any harsher home remedies, as they can become dangerous if mishandled.

When in doubt, professional roofing companies are better equipped to eradicate roofing stains with special chemicals, sealers or new repellent shingles when necessary. Expert solutions work quicker and last longer, saving you the hazardous trip up the ladder. Call Andrew’s Roofing at 757-296-2897 or use our contact page for more information.

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Install Skylights the Right Way

Skylights introduce beautiful, natural lighting into your business or home. Of course, like any window, you have to install your skylight properly to avoid future problems. Improperly installed skylights often leak water or allow the outside temperatures in. Here is how you need to install a skylight to avoid common issues.

Leaking Skylights

A professional contractor won’t leave you with a leaky skylight. A properly installed skylight is going to have tightly sealed joints. A contractor may even mount the frame above the roof’s surface so that leaks are less likely.

Controlled Temperature

If you install the skylight yourself, you’re more at risk for less temperature control. In the summer, you want to keep the cool air in, while in the winter, you want to retain heat but also allow the sun to beat down on the glass. The way that contractors make sure your skylight helps keep your temperature under control is by installing it at the right slope. Often, they will use a skylight that has a tilted base.

You want a skylight that has a slope equal to your latitude plus five to 15 degrees. Of course, a professional may also install blinds or shades so that you can further control the amount of light and heat that you allow into your building. Now, if you think that you would benefit from a skylight that opens like a window, you can have that too.

Use a Professional

When it comes to installing a skylight, you need to have a professional on hand. When you install a skylight improperly or poorly, it can lead to worse problems. Leaking skylights lead to water damage, whereas temperature control can help you save on your energy bill. While many people swear by DIY projects, there are certain aspects of construction like windows and skylights that you should always look to a professional for help with.

Do you have a roofing need at one of your properties? Contact Andrews Roofing today by calling (757) 296-2897 or sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net to get a free estimate for your next project. To learn more about our roofing services, please click here.

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