Roofs are the unsung heroes of your home. They protect you from the elements and make sure that your homestay is dry and warm, no matter how inclement the weather may be. But when they’re not working properly, they can cause some serious damage to your home—and your wallet.
That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on your roof and make sure it’s in good shape before it becomes a problem.
If you suspect your roof is leaking, here are four common causes of roof leaks that might help you figure out what’s going on:
1) The Age of Your Roof
The age of your roof can play a big role in determining whether or not it’s leaking. The older a roof is, the more likely it is to develop leaks.
The most common cause of leaks in roofs that have been around for decades is wear and tear from normal use. When you’ve got an older roof, it’s going to show some wear and tear—and if you don’t take care of those issues, they’re going to turn into leaks!
If you are still unsure of the cause of your roof’s leaks, then it’s always best to consult a professional Harlingen roofing contractor. They will be able to identify the problem quickly and efficiently and provide you with an estimate for repairs.
2) Improper Flashing
Flashing is an essential part of roof construction, and it’s also one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Flashing prevents water from getting behind the shingles and into your house. When flashing isn’t installed properly, it becomes dislodged or cracked and allows water to leak through.
If you have a leak in your roof, check for gaps where flashing has been applied—usually around chimneys, vents, valleys, and skylights. Also, look for cracks on top of sheathing boards or plywood sheets. If you find any gaps or cracks in your roof, call a Harlingen roofing company right away to fix the problem before it becomes worse!
3) Damaged/Loose Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof to have leaks, and they can be caused by a variety of things. If your shingles are damaged or loose, they could be letting in water, or they could be blowing off in high winds. Both of these scenarios can cause damage to your home and may also be signs that you need to replace some of your shingles.
If you’ve noticed that your shingles appear to have been damaged or are loose, it’s time to take action! If you have missing shingles, this is an immediate safety concern and should be addressed immediately. If any shingle is missing and exposing your roof decking, this is also an emergency situation because exposed decking can lead to structural damage.
For smaller issues, such as loose-fitting shingles or cracked ones, it’s best to call a Harlingen roofer immediately so they can assess the problem and make repairs as needed before any further damage occurs.
4) It’s Not Your Roof
If you’ve been having trouble with leaks in your home, it’s always a good idea to start by looking at the roof. But it’s also important to make sure that you aren’t missing anything else—because sometimes the problem doesn’t lie with the roof at all.
One common cause of leaks is improperly installed flashing. Flashing is a piece of metal or plastic used to seal the joints between two different materials on your roofs, such as shingles and decking boards. If the flashing isn’t properly installed, water can get into your home through cracks in this area.
Another cause of leaks might be faulty gutters or downspouts. These are designed to guide rainwater away from your house and prevent damage from pooling water around its foundation. If they aren’t working properly, water can accumulate in these areas and cause problems, including rotting wood fascia boards and rot around windowsills.
It may also be possible that your home has an underlying structural problem that could be causing leak damage without showing up anywhere else on your property—such as cracked foundation walls or leaking pipes under a bathroom sink cabinet.
We Are Ready to Help You
At McAllen Valley Roofing Co., we can inspect your Harlingen home and help you determine whether your leak is coming from an exterior source or an interior problem. Give us a call at 956-431-0300 or send us an email.
Roofing membranes can be a complicated topic, so before we get into the benefits of single-ply roofing membranes, it’s first important to understand why you need to have a solid, good roofing membrane.
The roofing membrane is what’s going to keep your home or commercial property dry and safe from leaks, wind damage, and other issues that could lead to structural problems down the road. It’s the last line of defense between your property and the elements — and it needs to be strong enough to hold up against all of them.
However, not all roofing membranes are created equal. There are different kinds of roofing materials that can be used for roofing, and each one has its own set of pros and cons.
Below we’re going to talk about single-ply roofing membranes, why they’re so popular, and what benefits they have over other types of roofs.
1) Energy And UV Efficient
One of the most important benefits of single-ply roofing membranes is that they are energy and UV efficient. Because they are impermeable, single-ply roofing membranes help reduce heat transfer across the membrane. This means that you can save on energy costs in the summer months when your building is heating up and less in the winter months when your building is cooling down.
Single-ply roofing membranes like PVC and TPO also protect against UV rays, which can corrode steel, concrete, and other materials in your roof system. This can lead to significant long-term damage to your structure and even an early replacement of your roof system if left unchecked.
By installing a single-ply roofing membrane, you will be protecting both yourself from increased utility bills as well as from costly repairs down the line from the damage caused by UV rays.
2) Chemical-Resistant
Chemical-resistant properties are one of the biggest benefits of single-ply roofing membranes. These membranes are made with specific materials that can withstand the harsh chemicals in our environment.
They are able to do this because they are made to be resistant to UV rays, which is what causes them to break down. They also have a longer lifespan than traditional roofing systems, which means that you will not have to replace your roof as often.
3) Puncture-Resistant
Single-ply roofing membranes are made of polyester and polyethylene, which are tough and durable. They can withstand hail, windstorms, and other harsh weather conditions. They also have a high UV resistance, so they will not break down in sunlight.
The strength of these membranes comes from their design: a base layer of woven fabric is covered with adhesive; this creates a strong bond between the two layers. And because these membranes have a weft insertion, they are less likely to tear or puncture during roof installation or use. And even if they do, it only takes a small patchwork to fix the problem.
These membranes are also resistant to most chemicals, including acids, alkalis, and solvents, making them a great choice for industrial applications.
4) Easy to Install
Single-ply roofing membranes can be installed over virtually any existing substrate, including shingles, wood shakes, and composition roofs. The ease of installation depends on the type of single-ply membrane you choose. Some have a self-adhesive backing that makes installing them as easy as peeling off the backing and laying them down. Others require simple fastening with nails or screws.
Regardless of the installation process, a professional Harlingen roofing contractor can easily install a single-ply roofing membrane in a day or two, depending on the size of your roof.
5) Proven Track Record
One of the most significant benefits of single-ply roofing membranes is their proven track record. Since 1978, these products have been used in over 100 countries and are used on buildings ranging from small residential homes to large commercial buildings.
Single-ply roofing membranes are known for their high performance, durability, and long lifespan, which makes them an ideal choice for any type of building. They can be used for roofs with low pitch or steep pitch, providing protection against water leakage and weather damage.
If you are looking for a durable roofing membrane that will last you a lifetime, then single-ply roofing membranes should definitely be considered as they have been proven time and time again over the years.
We Are Ready to Help You
Single-ply roofing membranes are an excellent choice for almost any type of building. They provide excellent protection against water leakage, weather damage, and other environmental factors. They are easy to install and do not require much roofing maintenance once installed.
If you are looking for a Harlingen roofing company that is an expert in all types of roofing, including single-ply roofing systems like PVC and TPO, then give McAllen Valley Roofing Co. a call at 956-431-0300.