Factors Affecting Roof Longevity With Possible Causes Of Leaks

Roof structures usually have a finite life span. When it’s nearing the end, the roof begins showing signs of wear and tear. It might require intensive maintenance which is costly. Some factors determine how long a roof will last and knowing them will give you insight on extending your roof’s life. The trick lies in hiring a trusted Oklahoma City roofing company. Here’s a guide on factors affecting roof longevity with possible causes of leaks to avoid.

Factors affecting roof longevity

Material

There’re various roof materials and all don’t have the same service life. Asphalt shingles have an average lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years. This material is respected for durability making it last more years longer. However, asphalt doesn’t last the same as a tile or metal roof. These are made of premium roofing materials to outlive your home.

Pitch

This is the slop of your roof. It determines ability to shed water naturally. A roof with a poor pitch retains water causing pooling on the surface. This significantly causes water damage. Most residential properties have roofs with a standard pitch. Are you planning to have a flat roof on your property? it’s highly recommended to opt for a slow-slop roof that eliminates water ponding.

Proper Installation

Regardless of whether you need a standard asphalt roof or metal roof, its ultimate life span largely depend on proper installation. You need to find one of the commercial roofing companies near me to install your roof properly to eliminate chances of problems in the future. Professional installation will save you from costly maintenance costs to fix installation mistakes. Ensure to hire a company offering range of roofing services.

Possible causes of roof leaks

Slipped tiles or slates

Do you have slipped tiles or slates? Well, you’ll surely notice a pool of water accumulating when it rains. In case of severe weather, the slipped tiles or slates will let water through especially in periods of bad weather. With time as water continues to trickle into your roof, considerable structural damage will definitely occur.

Condensation

Presence of condensation is one of the significant causes of roof leaks or the perception of one. insufficient aeration and ventilation promotes condensation on the roof underlay. With time, this is likely to trickle down onto the ceiling causing considerable damage. A roof needs adequate ventilation to lessen chances of condensation.

Compromised roof underlay

This is one of the most common causes of roof leaks. It happens when the part of the roof designed to let water pass down the gutters is compromised. It makes the underlay not to work as expected. With time, rain and wind are likely to destroy the underlay by making it rot. Damaged slates or tiles result into water seeping through the underlay into your internal roof space. This is likely to cause considerable structural damage.

Failing extensions

Does your roof have lean-to extension? Well, this might lead to leads with time. When rainwater hits your roof, it passes onto the lean-to extension. It doubles the pressure on the extension resulting from rainwater hitting and additional main roof discharge. With time, the tiling and roof underlay are compromised increasing the risk of leaks.

Damaged junctions

Another common cause of roof leaks is damaged junctions. Incorrect installation or damage to the roof junction flashing leaves the area exposed. Presence of sufficient volumes of water will eventually make the junction to collapse. This exposes your roof to considerable damage from leaks which is very costly to repair or get a new roof installation.

Importance of roof repairs and maintenance

It pays to have a reliable roofer to call for periodic inspection of your roof. This might help detect issues before they escalate and become costlier. During the inspection, the roofer will check everything on your roof and make a report of its current condition with appropriate recommendations. ensure not to postpone fixing any issues with your roof such as broken tiles or minor leaks. It’s cheaper and easier to fix them before they escalate.

Wrapping up

The roof is a considerable investment on a property. It keeps occupants and assets safe from unauthorized entry and protects against harsh weather elements. With professional inspection, you’ll always have peace of mind that your roof is in good condition.