A well-built house is one of our basic necessities. Living in a house becomes much easier by maintaining it in prime condition. However, natural elements such as rainwater can be one of the greatest enemies for the wellbeing of your home. Unfortunately, these conditions are beyond our control. However, we can certainly use some simple tricks and tips to save our houses from water damage. One of the best ways to prevent a building from experiencing water damage is to protect the roof.
One of the key components of buildings, roofs provides us protection from rain and snow. This is why roofs are more vulnerable to damages caused by water. Parsons Roofing shares the following simple tips to help roofs withstand harsh conditions that lead to roof damage.
- Fixing Water Leaks: Standing water on concrete flat roofs can make your ceilings weak and may form water spots on the interior. If these water spots are left unattended, cracks may develop in your ceiling. Water sports are also responsible for the growth of mold. It is easy to identify the areas of water leakage. Once these areas are identified, the source of the leak must be pinpointed. Some of the probable causes of water leakage are the collection of rainwater in roof dents, clogged roof drainage, and busted pipes. The best way to fix flat roof water leakage is to seal and waterproof the roof terrace.
- Inspection of Flashings: Galvanized steel or aluminum plates used to cover up roof joints are commonly referred to as flashings. The primary function of flashings is to help avoid water accumulation as well as leakage. When in functional condition, flashings are extremely efficient in directing rainwater flow to drains and downspouts. However, damaged flashings can’t perform this function and allow the leakage of water from the roof. Homeowners are highly recommended to check the roof flashings regularly for damage and corrosion. Over a period of time, flashings tend to develop holes, curls, folds, and cracks. During storms and blizzards, water can easily leak through these favorable weak points. Homeowners should also ensure that the flashings near the dips and valleys of the roof such as skylights, chimneys, windows, and pipes are intact and smooth.
- Replacement of Shingles: Shingles are used to protect the roofs from collapsing by allowing snow and water to slide downwards. However, if there are gaps and holes in the shingles, water can make way into the ceiling through them. The moisture in the area may promote the growth of moss and mold and weaken the shingle as well as the ceiling underneath. If some of the shingles are damaged, repair and reuse don’t guarantee the prevention of water seepage. Shingles have a maximum lifespan of approximately 15 years. Therefore, consider renovating your entire roof, if the shingles have been around for more than a decade.
- Unblocking of Downspouts: The function of gutters and downspouts is to ensure that the water flowing down the shingles is drained away. However, shingle granules, leaves, and dirt particles sometimes gather in them. This results in clogging of the path through which rainwater flows. This allows the rainwater to pool on the roof and degrades the quality of gutters and roof shingles. Proper downspout drainage is crucial for protecting a home’s foundation, preventing flooding, and maintaining landscaping while averting mold growth, pest infestations, and potential liabilities. Ensuring diverse drainage options when unblocking downspouts is vital, as it guarantees the efficient redirection of water, further safeguarding the property and its surroundings. It is possible to prevent rainwater pooling and keep the excess water flowing by clearing out the clogged downspouts from time to time. Gutter shields can be installed to prevent the blocking of the water channel by foliage, debris, and dirt. The slope of the downspouts can also be readjusted to prevent water from accumulating in pits within the gutter.
- Maintaining Roof Vents: Intake vents or roof vents offer clean air for the ventilation of a house. The use of high-quality vents and maintaining them properly will ensure that they are well protected from wind-driven stormy rain and leaking rainwater.
