Home maintenance is an important part of being a homeowner. Yes, it can be expensive and time-consuming, but if you keep your eye on potential problems, you can avoid bigger, more expensive repairs down the road. One often overlooked area of maintenance is your roof. No matter the type of roofing on your house, wear and tear is inevitable. Catching potential signs of leakage early will save you time and money.
Depending on the region where you live, climate and weather play a significant role in the wear and tear on your roof. In Pittsburgh, we see the full range of weather—from heavy downpours to feet of snow to days of hot temperatures. With regular maintenance, a quality roof should keep your home warm and dry for decades. In order to avoid a leaky roof, Pittsburgh’s Welte Roofing Company highly recommends you stay on top of the most common reasons for a roof leak.
One of the primary reasons for a leaky roof is age. The older the roof, the greater its chances of damage from exposure to temperature fluctuations and a variety of weather conditions. Continual expansion and contraction can cause roofing materials to deteriorate. The natural progression of time can cause your roof to take in moisture and cause the materials to become less effective.
High winds, heavy rains and extreme weather can loosen shingles on your roof or even cause them to crack or blister. After a severe weather episode, you may find a shingle or two laying in your yard. Often times, you will not know that a shingle is damaged or missing until you start experiencing problems with leaks. Therefore, it is important that you have a professional regularly inspect your roof for any potential problems. A missing or damaged shingle can easily be replaced prior to sustaining any significant damage.
Gutters and downspouts can become easily clogged with leaves and other debris. If the water is unable to flow off the roof via your gutter, it can back up into the house or shoot over the gutters completely. Backed-up water can infiltrate soffit areas, the attic, and potential living space. Water that misses the gutters completely has the potential to fall next to the foundation and wreak havoc in the basement. By regularly cleaning out your gutters and downspouts, you will keep the water draining correctly.
Fireplaces are a beautiful addition to any home, but if your chimney is not properly installed or professionally sealed and protected, it can cause your roof to leak. Ensuring that it is flashes correctly, capped efficiently, and the masonry is sealed will provide a watertight system that will prevent water from gathering around the base of the chimney and seeping into any open spaces.
Another beautiful feature of any home is a skylight. However, older skylights can become a thorn in the side of any homeowner. Two main reasons for skylight leak are improper installation and deterioration of the water tight seals. There have been great innovations in the design and manufacture of skylights in recent years to ensure a no-leak system. If you notice water stains around the edges of your skylight, then it is time to call a professional, like Welte Roofing Company, before the leak causes bigger problems to the surrounding roofing.
Metal flashing is installed under shingles and is used to cover seams and transition points to create a water-resistant barrier. When flashing deteriorates, breaks, or becomes loose, it provides a perfect environment for leaks. The freeze and thaw cycle in Pittsburgh is often a nightmare for flashings. Additionally, the caulking used to seal many flashings can dry out over time and crack. A professional roofer can replace the flashing and properly seal from any potential leaks.
Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof. The combination of the ice’s weight and the water pooling in one area can cause severe damage to your roof. If the ice begins to melt, seeps under the shingles and refreezes, the cycle will continue causing further damage. After a snowstorm, it is important that you inspect and remove any snow or ice buildups along the edges of your roof.
Hiring professionals, like Welte Roofing Company, to regularly maintain your roof will help you minimize the damage caused by regular wear and tear on your roof. We run a fall and spring maintenance program to help you keep an eye on your roof and repair any issues before and after the winter season.
Family-owned and operated since 1946, Welte Roofing Company has been installing and serving residential and commercial roofing customers in the Pittsburgh area for over 70 years. Our team of highly qualified technicians believes in accountability and does everything in their power to offer customers prompt and professional services. If you are experiencing a leaky roof or are in need of a new one, call Welte Roofing Company at 412-341-9400 for more information.
Shingles, slate, tile, shake, rubber, and metal – we do it all. We professionally install all types of roofing for your home or new construction.
We offer the convenience of a Fall and Spring maintenance program to make sure your roof is ready for the Winter and secure in the Spring.
If you spring a leak or are experiencing issues with your roof system, we run repair service year-round (weather permitting) to get you squared away.
Selling or buying a house? We provide detailed roof inspections to help get the roof into top shape to aid in the negotiation process.
We offer a full compliment of other roof related services including gutters, downspouts, soffit, fascia, siding, skylights, and custom metal work.
