6 Common Roofing Problems in Indianapolis and How to Fix Them
Having a roof over your head is one of the most basic human needs. Unfortunately, most Indianapolis homeowners do not think much about roof maintenance until there’s a problem they can no longer ignore. No matter how durable your roof is, it is not completely safe from common roofing problems.
In Indianapolis, roofing problems are inevitable even if you have used the most advanced roofing materials during installation. Due to the scorching sun, raging storms, and other forces of nature, your roof is bound to experience some wear and tear over time. While you should look for “roofing companies near me” to fix such problems efficiently, it is also important to have a basic understanding of common roofing problems in your area and how you can fix them.
Roof Leaks
Whether you live in the heart of Indianapolis or in the outskirts, roof leaks can be quite frustrating as they significantly disrupt your daily life. You may experience roof leaks for a number of reasons, including:
Damaged or poorly installed flashing
Wear and tear due to aging
Broken or missing roof slates or tiles
Use of wrong materials for the roof’s pitch
Damaged underlay or roofing membranes
Incorrectly placed fixings
Poorly installed roof windows or skylights
Condensation in the loft space
Clogged gutters
Cracked chimneys
In most cases, the real reason for roof leaks remains a mystery to the homeowners. Since the leak is usually located several feet away from the penetration, it is not always evident to the naked eye.
How to Fix the Problem?
In most cases, the leaks are located near the chimney, around the gutters, at flashing points, and the vents or pipes. So, you should start by checking the attic and look for mold, water stains, or black marks. When you spot such signs, consider calling a roofing professional near you.
As long as the leak is small, you can patch it up from the attic. However, if the leak is left unattended for long or there is a heavy downpour, things can get out of hand. Conducting regular inspections of your roof can help you identify such issues before they become a major problem. Also, professional experts know how to fix roof leaks permanently.
Damaged Flashing
If you do not already know, flashing is a material made of sheet metal or plastic that is used to protect creases on fixtures such as chimneys or skylights. It is also used for preserving venting pipes under the roofing materials. When the flashing material cracks or becomes loose, those fixtures become susceptible to water and moisture damage in your home.
Flashing can be damaged due to a number of reasons, including:
Wear and tear due to aging
Exposure to fluctuating temperatures
Direct impacts
Storm or other natural disaster
Fixings or caulk falling out of place
If you regularly inspect the flashing materials installed on the roof, cracks and other damage should be clearly visible.
How to Fix the Problem?
Since flashing materials are placed around critical areas such as chimneys, skylights, or areas where two sections of the roof meet, you need to repair any damage or cracks on the lead flashing as soon as possible. First, remove the damaged section by prying out any fixings. Next, dress a new run of flashing in its place. Finally, fix it securely using roofing nails and roofing sealant on the nail heads.
While you can fix the problem on your own using the steps mentioned above, a professional expert in Indianapolis can do it more efficiently and leave no room for errors. Also, regular inspection of the roof’s flashings can help you identify and fix the damage before it leads to more serious problems.
Broken or Missing Shingles
Shingles are overlapping tiles that are laid in courses from the eaves of the roof to give some abstract patterns to the top of a house. While these are made with high-quality roofing materials, they can become worn and result in cracks on their surfaces. These cracks allow water to seep into your shingles, causing damage to your underlayment, decking, and, ultimately, the attic.
Shingles can also loosen, break, or completely come off when the sealant is damaged by rodents, a force of nature, or some wear and tear due to aging. Moreover, incorrect installation of the shingles can also lead to major roofing problems as it allows water and moisture to seep in.
How to Fix the Problem?
This problem is comparatively easier to solve. All you need to do is replace the damaged or missing shingles. You may also find local stores in Indianapolis that sell individual shingles. So, you do not need to replace the entire course of shingles if a few of them have gone bad. Just replace the missing or damaged ones, and you are done.
Consider hiring a professional from a reliable company like Honest Abe Roofing for this job, as it requires you to climb to the rooftop and replace the shingles. While there is a risk of falling while climbing to the roof without any safety gear, your repair and replacement work won’t be as efficient as a professional. If you conduct annual roof inspections by professional experts, they can spot and fix such problems immediately.
Granules Clogging Downspouts
Shingle granules help keep rain, snow, and ice from accumulating on your roof and in your gutters. They also help protect your roof from the harmful rays of the sun. When your roof is relatively new, you can notice some granules falling during the installation process. However, if you see granules in your downspout, even when your roof is relatively old, it is a sign of worn or loose shingles that need to be replaced soon.
While granules in the downspouts indicate issues in the roofing shingles, it can lead to complete clogging of the downspouts if not fixed on time. The debris from the roof, including loose shingles and granules, can collect and obstruct the downspouts. Due to the obstruction, rainwater will gush backward from the pipe, allowing water to spill over the sides and pour down the walls.
How to Fix the Problem?
When you encounter such a problem, the first thing you should do is clean your gutters. You can use a ladder to access the gutter and dig out the debris and shingle granules using a plastic shovel or scoop. Once you have cleaned the gutters, rinse out your gutters to ensure there are no obstructions.
Next, you need to call a professional roofing expert in Indianapolis who can inspect your roof and identify the cause of granule loss. They can patch any areas that have been damaged and replace any missing granules. This way, you can protect your roof from further damage and extend its lifespan.
Stagnant or Pooling Water
You may witness stagnant or pooling water on your roof if your gutters are clogged. The standing water quickly turns into mold or mildew that eats away the roofing material, leading to bigger roofing problems as well as health concerns. If you live in Indianapolis or the outskirts, which witnesses a significant amount of downpours every year, stagnant or pooling water can be a big reason to worry.
The major reasons for this problem are:
A clogged gutter
Piles of debris on the roof that catch water
A flat roof
How to Fix the Problem?
The first and simplest solution to this problem is cleaning the gutters using the same technique mentioned in the previous point. Once the gutter is cleaned, remove debris and other things that may catch water. You may also need to replace the shingle granules if they seem loose or worn out. A professional expert can help you with that.
If you are facing stagnant or pooling water on the roof due to its flatness, you need to get professional help. The experts can create tapered areas over the surface, allowing the water to run off. Also, regular inspections of your roofs ensure such problems are detected early and are fixed before they become serious.
Freezing Damages
If you live in a snowy region where your roof is exposed to ice and snow, the conditions may have a significant impact on the life expectancy of your roofing. Roofing problems are quite common during cold weather. As you may realize, the melted ice water does not run off as fast as rainwater since it melts at a slow rate. Thus, it stays on the roof as stagnant water, which later penetrates underneath the roof, causing major problems.
Moreover, if water gets underneath the roofing material, it can freeze when the temperature drops. Since water expands in volume when it freezes, it pushes against the shingles. This creates an opening on the roof, letting even more water in. By the time the weather becomes warmer, you will have many roofing problems.
How to Fix this Problem?
Unfortunately, freezing damages are inevitable when you live in an area where it snows for several months of the year. The best you can do is clean the thick layer of snow every day so that the water does not get trapped underneath the roofing material. Also, you need to get your roof inspected by a professional expert more regularly to check the level of damage and perform the necessary repairs or replacements.
Take Timely Actions for Your Indianapolis Home
As you can see, roofing problems in Indianapolis can disrupt your day-to-day life if they are not fixed on time. Since such problems can happen to any household, it is important to take the necessary measures before the signs become apparent. Conduct thorough roof inspections by professionals at least once a year to identify the underlying issues and get rid of them at an initial stage. By doing so, you can avoid expensive repairs and increase the lifespan of the roof at your Indianapolis home.