How To Tell If Your Roof Leak Is Serious!

Roof leaks are sneaky; small leaks can be deceiving, leading you to believe there is some time before you need to call a roofing service to get them out to take care of it.

While that may be true sometimes, there’s a higher possibility it’s more serious than you realize.

Even seemingly small leaks could reveal a problem much worse than you’d expect, one that ends up needing extensive roof repairs or even a roofing replacement.

Rather than ending up in that type of situation, inspect any leak you find a little closer before assuming there is plenty of time to get it fixed.

If you notice any of these signs, that leak is potentially serious and has likely been there longer than you think!

1. Water Stains or Spots

The top sign that you have a leak that requires the attention of a roofer and it’s been there for a while is the evidence of water stains on the inside of your attic or water spotting on the exterior of your house.

Stains on beams, flooring, and even the contents of your attic suggest an ongoing, sneaky leak that has evaded you for a while.

Spotting on the exterior of the house underneath the eaves is another indication of leaking that’s been happening for a while.

You might be surprised at the extent of the damage uncovered by a roofing contractor if the leak has been present for quite a while.

2. Damage Inside the House

Another big sign that you need to call a roofing company in a hurry is if interior damage appears like

Buckling and peeling paint or wallpaper.
Sagging or stained ceiling.
Moisture or stains on the walls.
Attic insulation that’s disintegrating.
Other moisture-related damage.

all of which are a prime indicator that you’ve had a leak for some time.

This kind of damage does not happen overnight and should be remedied as soon as possible before it gets worse.

3. Mold, Mildew, and Other Growth

The presence of moisture in your home in spite of a fully-functioning HVAC system is another big indicator of a leak that’s been there for a while.

Unhealthy mold in attic corners or in the insulation as well as mildew on the roofing structure or other surfaces means there’s either water coming in from somewhere or you have a serious attic ventilation problem, both of which need to be repaired by a roofer.

If you see mold, algae, or moss growing on your roof or the exterior walls of your home, this is another sign that there is a moisture problem that needs correcting.

Untended, exterior moisture issues can lead to more leaking that can cause extensive damage both inside and outside the house.

4. Structural Damage to Roof or Foundation

A sagging roof or one that has shifted in any way is another issue that points to leaks that have been there for a while, long enough to allow the structural framework of the roof to soften and change due to rot and other water damage.

Sometimes the first indicator that your roof is causing the problem might be hairline cracks in the foundation if the roof has shifted or become too heavy from water absorption in places that you have no idea are getting wet.

5. Intermittent Leaks In Colder Weather

There’s nothing more annoying than an intermittent leak, especially if the leak is noticeable when the weather is above freezing but seems to go away when it’s below freezing.

This could mean that your shingles are suffering from a destructive condition called ice damming, which could lead to needing to have a new roofing installed.

Ice damming occurs when water gets under the shingles for whatever reason and then freezes, expanding in that small space and further lifting shingles so they leak even more.

If the problem isn’t noticed right away, it could result in widespread damage under the shingles and a very expensive repair.

Even the Little Leaks Can Be Serious

It’s easy to get fooled into thinking that a little bit of water in the attic, a small stain, or an intermittent leak is just a minor roofing problem that can be repaired later rather than sooner.

What you might not know is that the leak is bigger or has been there much longer than you realize, in which case there’s likely a lot more damage than you realize.

Look for these signs above that your leak is more serious than you think, then prevent more extensive damage by calling a roofer at the first notice of any leak at all!

Got Leaks?

Roofers Huntsville Can Fix Them!

Call (936) 228-4697 Now!

Metal Roofing – Why It Works So Well!

If you’re in the market for a new roofing replacement for your Texas home or business, you have a lot of materials options to choose from.

Among them, metal is a preferred material to have installed by a qualified roofing company because of the many advantages it gives you over other common roofing materials.

Metal may be a little more expensive than standard shingles but with good reason.

When you appreciate the positives of installing a metal roof on your home, it’s easy to see why so many Texas property owners choose it!

1. Long Life Expectancy

In comparison to shingles, wood, and other common similarly-priced types of roofs, metal roofing outlasts them all by decades.

Properly installed and maintained, a metal roof should last between 50 and 75 years and sometimes even longer, depending on the material quality and manufacturing which is far longer than the 20 to 40 years that most shingles are said to last.

2. Exceptionally Durable and Weather Resistant

Metal as a material is much stronger than even the highest quality designer shingles and exceptionally more so than any wood or tile roofing.

It can withstand extreme weather and even impacts from hail and other storm debris without damage, retaining its water-tightness and protectiveness the whole time.

3. Corrosion and Infestation Resistant

Unlike wood roofing, asphalt shingle roofs, and sometimes even organic materials like tile, all of which can corrode over time due to excessive moisture, wood rot, mold, mildew, and more, metal that has been correctly installed and well cared for is much more resistant to any kind of corrosion.

It’s not attractive to pests and rodents either, so it cannot be infested under most circumstances.

4. Easier and Less Expensive to Care For

Another great feature of metal roofing is how easily it can be cared for compared to other materials.

All that’s necessary to keep a metal roof in great condition and avoid the need for roof repair is periodic cleaning if it gets dirty and an occasional new coat of paint or sealer as recommended by the metal roofing manufacturer.

Much better than the yearly or biennial scrubbing some asphalt roofs require or the regular cleaning, sealing, painting or staining many other roof types need to retain their condition.

5. Higher Fire and Wind Resistance

In areas where wildfires or hurricanes are a threat, metal roofs excel yet again, offering much greater protection.

Blowing embers landing on metal will not catch fire and metal roofing applied by roofers in large panels is less likely to be peeled off and blown away in high winds than are shingles of any kind.

6. Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient

Although a quality metal roof installation will initially cost more than other more seemingly economical materials, that price is more cost-effective when taking longevity, durability, and minimal maintenance requirements into account.

Additionally, metal roofing material is known to reduce energy bills in hotter climates when installed with good insulation as it has a very high R-value or level of UV rays that get reflected off the roof rather than being absorbed through it into the building.

7. Environmentally Friendly

A metal roofing replacement is also an environmentally friendly option for reducing your carbon footprint.

Metal is 100% recyclable as well as biodegradable and most metal roofing materials made today are partially composed of recycled material.

Combined with its energy-efficiency, metal is one of the greenest choices out there.

8. Many Attractive Options

Today, metal roofs are available in countless styles and colors, giving you incredible options for making your structure look more appealing.

From the most basic standing seam style to imitation shingles made to look like wood, slate, tile, and other more expensive and less durable material, metal makes a great faux roof that gives you the look you really want.

9. Lightweight

If the weight of your roof is a concern for your house or building, you can’t go wrong with metal made to look like other preferable and much heavier styles.

Metal installed by experienced roofing services weighs only a fraction of the weight of tile and even many newer decorative shingle types.

Metal Roofing - So Many Reasons to Choose It!

With all so many notable advantages, it’s easy to see why a metal roof installation done by qualified roofers is a great choice for Texas home and building owners.

Whatever look you want for your structure, there is a metal roof out there that meet your needs!

It Stormed Here – How Can I Tell If I Have Roof Hail Damage?

Roof services in Huntsville Texas

Hail damage is one of the most serious types of destruction that can happen to a roof. Even if it appears fine from the ground, there could still be less obvious damage requiring roof repair. To reduce the chance that hail damage could be overlooked and cause other more widespread damage, professional roof services recommend taking a closer look. Inspect your roof and look for the following important signs indicating that hail damage may be present.

Not All Hail Damage Is Obvious

The most important thing to understand about hail damage is that it is not always obvious. Major damage such as torn and missing shingles or large dents may be easy to see from the ground; however, other imperfections caused by hail may not be. When this type of damage goes unnoticed and no roof repair is made, there is a greater possibility that a problem can become more serious and costly to fix.

Depending on the material, even minor damage like small dents in the surface can lead to premature decomposition. Because of this possibility, you should always carefully check your roof after a storm to look for less obvious signs of damage and call roof services if necessary.

Look for Different Types of Hail Damage

After a hail-producing storm has passed, go outside and take a good look at your roof to determine if roof repair is necessary. Hail damage could look different depending on the individual roofing material. Be sure to do the following:

Look for Surface Damage - Begin by looking for more obvious damage such as torn, broken, or missing shingles or tiles and shingles that are lifted up from the surface. Look for dents in metal panels or wood shingles. Examine the roof for dents in asphalt shingles, cracks in the granule-covered coating, or places where the asphalt coating has been removed and the fiberglass mat exposed. You may need to get on a ladder or call roof services to inspect your shingles to determine whether these less obvious types of damage are present.
Check the Flashing - Besides carefully inspecting the surface and shingles, look for damage to the flashing and seals around corners, vents, and other roof protrusions. Hail that bounces off asphalt shingles can still dent and ding metal flashing, affect its water tightness, and cause corrosion. Flashing could be missing after a hailstorm and need prompt roof repair.
Check the Gutters - Physical damage to your gutters is easy to see yet is an easy fix. If you have asphalt shingles, gutters offer important insight into other, less obvious damage that may require roof repair. When gutters collect large amounts of asphalt granules from shingles, it suggests the protective asphalt coating has suffered hail damage. Widespread loss of this coating can reduce the durability of your shingles, shortening the life of your roof, and making leaks more likely.

Hail can be extremely damaging to roofs long after the storm is over. Once the winds have calmed and the rain has stopped, walk around your house looking for signs your roof covering has sustained hail damage and requires roof repair. Some of these signs may be harder to notice than others. The best thing to do after a hail storm is call local roof services to take a closer look and assess your roof for damage!

Category: Roof Services in Huntsville Texas