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Should You Repair That Roof Leak?

Water damage can take hold of a property and leave it in an unfit state to live in. The thing that accompanies water is rot and that can weaken the structure of not only your roof, but your entire home. But what causes leaks in the first place? There are many different reasons your home can spring a leak, and here you will find some of the common ones.

Let's start with the features on your roof. Chimneys and skylights have traditionally been sealed with flashing. In the past lead was placed in long strips, without being overlapped. Longer strips of lead are prone to leaking. As things in the building industry moved forwards, lead began to be overlapped in shorter lengths, thus giving more resistance to water penetration. If mortar was used with flashing it can become dislodged over time, especially if it did not set and harden quickly when it was put on. This creates gaps and allows an avenue for water to enter.

Skylights are also black spots for water leaks. If they also weren't sealed correctly or if they were installed wrong you will likely need to mop up some water inside your home from time to time. As water emerges inside your home, mold and condensation can appear. bad enough outside on your roof, but not particularly nice on the inside. Mold produces spores which attack our respiratory systems and it raises humidity levels which again encourages more mold growth to accumulate.

An Asphalt roof can last 20 -30 years if regular servicing is in place. Some owners unfortunately are getting 7-10 years out of Asphalt. If your roof is nearing the 20 year mark or if it looks to be in a bad state get a free check-up. Fixing a roof can be one of the most expensive things you'll ever do in your home, but you won't always need a new roof or major upgrades. On the flip side, If your home has extensive leaking, storm damage, or your roof looks like its about to collapse, it makes no sense to bury your head in the sand. In these cases it's worth talking to your home insurance provider, and we can also liaise with them on your project.

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roof types as they are cheap and versatile. They can deteriorate from mold growth and it's important to keep up to date with debris and mold removal, and its also best to coat your roof with anti-mold spray. By inspecting your roof, we can analyze if any damage sustained over the years can be repaired or whether it would be a better investment to put your money into a new roof. If you want to change your roof material from Asphalt to Clay tiles for example, you can expect to pay a much higher premium.

Climate Control

Clay tiles are very popular in Texas as they keep your home cool in the searing heat. They also look architecturally stunning, inspired from Spanish colonialism. They are naturally ventilated due to their shape, and great at keeping out water if installed correctly. They are more expensive as they are heavier. Your roof may have to be reinforced if it cannot cope with the extra weight if you want these. They also have good resistance against hail, which we have treated a lot of homes in San Antonio for.

Hailstones of 1.5" and beyond in diameter can smash through wood and Asphalt. Metal roofing can withstand rot, water damage and hail and it can also keep your house cool if painted in light reflective colors (limited to architectural laws). Metal is a long lasting roof material, up to 50 years and beyond, but it is also more expensive. Its a good material for homes and commercial buildings in humid climates as this low maintenance low heat absorption material keeps your home cool. The drawbacks are noise when rain or hail hits, and also many people do not like its industrial look.

Just on the subject of extreme weather, after a storm be wary of anyone who cold calls at your door with the claim they are storm damage repair contractors. Scam alert. Storm damage companies don't go door crawling. They have helplines, qualified staff on real phone numbers, legitimate license numbers, a legit bond number. You will find these guys out straight away if you ask to see their license number.

Tips

If you deal with problems early you can dramatically restrict the overall damage and lower your heart attack risk when you see the repair bill. If you leave water damage and leaks to fester without dealing with it, your home can rot like termites going through a log cabin. If you notice a leak that's half the battle, the rest is finding the source and seeing what damage has went on behind the scene. If you can't find the leak source, call someone in to trace it.

Water can cunningly seep into your home slowly even for months without you noticing. It can come in through many places like cracked or worn shingles, through dislodged or missing wood shakes, previously dodgy roofing repair patchwork, popped or loose nails, damaged vents, dry rot, to name but a few of the sources. Dry rot is a problem all on its on and is often attributed to poor ventilation and high humidity levels. If you don't have roof vents or if your home has poor ventilation dry rot and mold can become a problem.

Dry rot can also become an issue if water is dammed on your roof by blocked gutters and down pipes. It can also accumulate on corners or anywhere water collects and doesn't drain off. It can spread at an alarming rate of more than 5 million spores per minute. It is particularly prone on older mainly wood properties with unvented attics, flaky wood, wooden windows, and humid buildings. If you don't deal with it immediately it will weaken the structure of our roof. Watch out for leaks coming in contact with wood on your roof or the rafters inside your attic space.

Trained Staff & Warranties

We have a highly trained licensed staff roster who are adept in dealing with dry rot and tracing leaks. We have regularly treated homes in San Antonio for storm and hail damage. Our services are available for residential and commercial projects and we also offer lifetime warranties on the roof tiles and shingles we provide. If you are designing a new home or want to remodel your existing house, talk to us today to discuss the options and cost.