Roof Problems That Tend To Pop Up During Persistent Wet Weather
Periodic rain is a reality of life, but sometimes, the rain comes and does not seem to subside for days or weeks on end. Often, if there are any underlying issues with your roof, they will come to light during this type of persistent rainy weather. Here is a look at some specific roof issues that might pop up.
Leaky Flashing
Flashing around the chimney often develops rust pockets and pulls away from the chimney base over time. During light, short rain showers, the water may not work its way under the flashing, so you might not notice any leaks. But when the rain just keeps coming down, eventually the surrounding shingles become saturated or enough rain comes down in the right direction to cause leaking. If you go into the attic and see spots of moisture near the place where the chimney passes through the roof, this is often what's going on.
Moss Growth
Moss needs a considerable amount of moisture to grow on the roof. Sometimes there may be little spots of moss in your roof, but they don't grow to be really noticeable until you have a period of prolonged rain. Moss is not just a visual eyesore. It can cause your shingles to deteriorate prematurely, which will lead to leaks. If you do notice moss growth, it is important not to attempt to scrape the moss away. If you do this when the roof is still damp, it might result in the shingles crumbling and coming off, which will only lead to bigger leaks. Moss growth is something a pro should handle.
Raised Shingles
Sometimes shingles become partially detached from the roof, but they continue to lie flat against the roof until the roof receives enough moisture to cause them to swell and lift. So if you venture outside and look up at the roof after a wet period, you may see spots where the shingles have raised corners or entire raised edges. Some of the shingles may look like they are wavy. Leaks may not appear immediately once shingles start to show signs of deterioration, but they are at least on the horizon.
Because issues often appear only after a period of intense rain, this is the perfect time to assess your roof's condition more closely. If anything at all seems amiss, call a roofing company. You are better off having something looked at than crossing your fingers and hoping it's not an issue.
