Roofs are an integral part of a house; without a good roofing system, homes are rendered useless to the changing weather conditions. It’s important to take care of your roof, but to an untrained eye, it can be very easy to look over the symptoms of a potential problem.

Below are a few common roof problems that you may want to be on the lookout for.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters are an integral part of the roofing system; they help maintain the structural integrity of your house’s foundation and protect it from water damage. However, gutters are usually susceptible to a buildup of debris. Leaves, twigs, soil, and sometimes even bird nests can cause gutters to be clogged, and instead of the water flowing down and out of the gutter, it stays there. This can lead to water seeping into the eaves, and cause them to rot. Gutters may also be weighed down by the buildup and separate from the fascia board, or cause it to sag.

Fortunately, clogged gutters are easy to fix. Preventing damage to your gutters simply requires routine maintenance, and clearing away the buildup of debris in the gutters. You may also consider installing a screen for your gutter to help prevent larger pieces of debris from getting into your gutters and affecting your roofing system.

Warping and Shrinkage

Roof shingles are, by and large, the most common roofing system used in American homes. Although they offer your roof good protection from the elements, they are also prone to damage. Depending on the material used for the roof shingles, they can either warp or shrink. Wood shingles are usually susceptible to warping, where they can either curl or crack due to the constant exposure to varying solar temperatures. If you’re using asphalt roof shingles, eventually they will shrink. This is because of the loss of the oils or the top layer due to the constant exposure to the elements.

Prevention is key when it comes to dealing with roof shingle issues. Make sure to always choose roofing materials that are of a high quality to avoid your roofing system deteriorating early. Conducting routine checkups on your roof is also a good way to spot problems early on, and get the problem shingles replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

Water Seepage and Leakage

Since your roof is designed to keep them out, water and moisture are probably some of the greatest enemies of a roofing system. The moment your roof shingles or your roof trims are affected by water damage, they should be addressed as soon as possible. Failure to do this means that you are putting your entire roof and house at risk. You want to avoid mold and mildew seeping into your roof and ceiling, requiring a full top-to-bottom house repair.

Check for discolored ceilings, damp walls, and mold and mildew buildup when performing routine roof maintenance. You may want to get in touch with a specialist to help you assess the level of damage and determine the necessary repairs.

Snow and ice can also cause massive damage to your roof. The thawing and refreezing can cause your roof to warp and lift the shingles, and even break the flashings. Conducting pre- and post-winter maintenance and repairs is a good way to avoid permanent damage to your structure due to snow and ice.

There are a multitude of issues that could happen to roofs that demand a number of fixes. While there are some issues that can be addressed with do-it-yourself solutions, other more grave problems would need professional roofing services. Contact a professional commercial roof repair company to get the fix done and preserve the life of your roof.