The importance of a properly shingled roof cannot be over emphasized. The roof protects your home from water and snow damage, keeps everything dry and provides insulation as well for your home. If any of the roof’s systems are damaged or compromised in any way by poor installation or from the weather, then not only will your roof not last as long, you may have some kind of interior damage as well which can reach into thousands of dollars.
A properly shingled roof will also ensure that the roof will last for a long time and will last as per the manufacturer’s claims. Improper installation will only shorten the life of your roof and also make it potentially more susceptible to damage from nature’s elements.
What are the Components of a Roof?
As the picture shows, there is a lot more to a roof than just the shingles. We will list them here for your reference:
- Plywood deck
- Underlayment
- Drip Edge
- Eave Flashing
- Nails
- Shingles
Not Shown in the Picture
- Ice barrier (used in colder climates)
- Soffit
- Eaves Trough
- Air Vents
All of these components play an important part to ensure that your roof is structurally sound and sealed to prevent water, insects and wind from entering your home.
Buying a Home
Most home owners do not pay much attention to the roof when they are buying a home that has been built by a builder other than the life expectation of the shingles. The same is true for a person purchasing a pre-owned home. They want to know when the roof was replaced and how many more years they can expect out of the current roof.
The fact of the matter is that the roof if constructed properly will last for many years without needing any repairs if it was properly built and properly shingled. This means that the plywood decking is solid and has not begun to soften from water penetration; that the shingles are held securely to the roof; the shingles have not begun to curl or break off and that all of the drip edges and soffits are in place to protect the edge of the roof.
Replacing a Roof
When a roof needs to be replaced either due to age or damage, it is important to make sure that each of these elements of the roof are either in good shape or are replaced to provide the homeowner with the longest possible term for his new roof. This means that plywood that has begun to soften is replaced, new underlayment is installed, drip edges are replaced if they are rusting or bent and quality shingles are used. It also means that the shingles are installed properly with the proper overhang at the edge of the roof to allow water to drop off of the roof to the ground or into an eaves trough. It also means that the shingles are properly overlapped and nailed securely so that nails do not show and the self adhesive layer of the shingle is in the right spot to do its job.
Depending on the roof, roof vents may also be needed to allow for adequate air flow in the attic to prevent overheating in the summer time and also the buildup of moisture which can lower the insulating value of your insulation. In addition a warm roof in the winter will cause snow to melt on the roof, with the water running down to a cooler part of the roof were it freezes and causes an ice dam to form. This is a perfect spot for future water leaks during milder weather. Roof vents properly installed can prevent a lot of these potential problems from occurring.
Why Should I Install Eaves Troughs on My Roof
Many people do not install eaves troughs, however their job is to catch the water flowing off of the roof and channel it to a down spout which in turn takes the water away from the foundation. Many people who have basements and do not have eaves troughs installed on their roof sometimes will have water leak into their basement during rainy periods. This is caused because the water coming off the roof flows down along the foundation until it finds an entry point and enters the basement through the wall.
Any time a new roof is installed, your roofing company should take special care to ensure that there is an overhang, that the water flows into your eaves trough and that the eaves trough is not damaged.
Call for an Estimate Today
Whether you need repairs or need a new roof installed, call us today to arrange for a quote. Your roofing consultant can explain exactly how your new roof will be installed and will make recommendations regarding any changes that should be considered such as new or larger air vents and installation of eaves trough. If you have concerns about any aspect of the roof feel free to discuss these concerns with our consultant. They will pleased to explain all elements of the roof and how they will complete the job.