It may often be wondered exactly how professionals can determine why a roofing system fails. There is much that can be told by the bumps and wrinkles on a roof’s surface as it is typically the result of many events having occurred over the years. It is important to know some of the most common types of roofing issues in order to prevent problems that could lead to a shorter lifespan of the entire structure. Some of the potential problem areas are listed below.
- Tears – This occurs when material on the roof’s surface is jioned with any type of metal flashing. As the temperature rises, the two materials will contract and expand differently, with the material more likely to split apart because it is attached to the metal and cannot move. This particular issue is more common with systems that use asphalt and coal tar; however, it is not limited to the flashing alone. As all of the material on a roof ages, it becomes less resilient and more brittle so even foot traffic or substrate movement could result in major cracks.
- Gaps – Problems can occur wherever different kinds of roofing material overlap, both with each other and with other material. Open gaps usually occur at the flashing seams and are often the result of the carelessness during installation by not applying adhesive to the entire seam. It can occur with a modified-bitumen and build-up system when the bitumen was applied too cold and the overlapping areas open up as the material ages.
- Pitch Pan Permeations – If there are any permeations from the surface to lower roofing layers, it is usually with three common culprits relating to pitch pans: the sealing material, the holding container, and penetration component. It is very important to stabilize any permeations to avoid cracks around the pitch pans if there is movement or vibration. The area around the pitch pans should also be thoroughly cleaned and any asphalt removed before a pourable sealer is used so that the sealer adheres to the penetration component. There are many other possible failure areas that are best handled by a professional roofing specialist to achieve maximum favorable results.
- Surface Ruptures – This symptom of failure is the most preventable as ruptures typically result from workers on the rooftop who are careless when crossing the roof. It can also be caused by falling, blown or tossed debris which creates holes or tears of the material.
- Bubbles – These are raised bumps that are one of the most common roofing problems. Causation is usually water vapor that has become trapped between shingles or between the insulation and shingles. On a warm day, this vapor expands into gas, creating pressure within and pushing shingles apart causing bubbles.
- Creases – A 45-degree angle crease can occur if there is movement between the perimeter and roof deck. A “fishmouth” opening left somewhere at the end of a crease happens when the disturbance reaches the edge of the flashing or membrane. This fish-like appearance can be a conduit for liquid to enter the building.
Learning the primary reasons for the failure of a roofing system provide a basis for establishing a program for early detection of any problems. It is also an option to hire a professional to perform regular inspections of a roof as well as handle any required period maintenance and quickly repair any problems before becoming huge, costly issues!
Contact Schulte Roofing When You Need A College Station Roofing Professional!
Are you looking for the best College Station roofing company to help maintain your roof and prevent any problems? Call Schulte Roofing at 800-367-7663 – their roofing expertise can help all College Station area customers with all roofing needs!