AQ Roofing LLC

It’s a well-known fact that roofing projects are no simple tasks. There’s a great deal of research and preparation that goes into it to ensure that both the homeowner and the residential roofing contractor is ready to take on the challenges it may present. Granted, a roofing project can be an arduous task, but it’s also exciting since you have the chance to revamp your home and breathe new life into it.

However, no matter how much a homeowner prepares for a roofing project, they may encounter a few curveballs that could hinder the progress of the project. After all, if these problems affect the initial budget, then they’ve got to prepare for it. Regardless, it’s something every homeowner should be ready for issues to arise that they won’t get caught off guard if ever they run into these kinds of problems. Remember that not all roofing problems can be spotted on the surface as some of them can be lying underneath your shingles, or even within your attic, wreaking havoc without you even knowing it.

Unexpected Roofing Problems?

Before you begin your roof repair or replacement project, you should contact your local roofing contractor and request an inspection, even before an estimate. Keep in mind that trusted roofing companies like us provide free estimates and inspections to provide our customers peace of mind so that they can better prepare for their future roofing projects and so that they have a concrete idea of their roof’s condition. 

Granted, you can go ahead and spot roofing issues on your own, but it takes the skilled eyes and experience of a residential and commercial roofing contractor to see or predict roofing issues. Here are a few that we might encounter during our initial inspection or during the work itself.

Rotten Decking

One of the main issues that roofing contractors spot when inspecting or tearing off roofs are rotted or soft roof decking. The roof decking acts as a support system that keeps the layers of your residential roofing shingles intact. Without a functional roof deck, the stability of your entire roofing system can be compromised. It also acts as a backup layer in case your shingles fail and are secured with weatherproof materials like underlayment to protect it from harsh exterior elements.

Keep in mind that your decking or plywood sheathing doesn’t get replaced, unlike your shingles, during every roofing project. In some cases, capable roofing contractors will leave your roof decking alone if they notice it’s in good condition. However, if your roofer notices that your roof decking is starting to rot or softening up when they tear off your shingles, they’ll have to replace it first before proceeding with the project, which is a cause for unexpected repairs.

Inadequate Decking

If your roofing contractor walks on your roof and notices that the decking has a springy or bouncy feel to it, it could mean that the decking used is inadequate to support the roofing system. Nowadays, decking materials are manufactured from half-inch thick plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) panels. 

This can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer since some local building codes do not require anything thicker than three-eighths of an inch. Once they notice this issue, they’ll have to replace the sheathing before moving forward to ensure your structure’s stability.

Storm Damage

It isn’t uncommon to see piles of branches, leaves or debris piling up on your roof, especially during fall. However, storm and hail damage can truly take a toll on your roof, even if it’s rated to protect against these kinds of damage. Your roofing contractor will tell you that even small hailstones can cause big problems in the long run if left untreated. 

Small perforations in your roof can expose your underlayment and decking to rain, moisture and other elements. This could be the cause of mold, leaks or rot that can spread to other parts of your home. Remember that capable inspectors can spot these issues right away so that they can document the damaged parts of your home to be submitted to your insurance provider later on for coverage. This goes to show how important it is to have an inspector to come over and check your roof’s condition since the damage that’s left alone for too long will be denied coverage.

Drainage Issues

Another unexpected issue that your contractor may spot from below is if your roofing system has a faulty drainage. Blocked drainage can result in pooling water, especially if you have a flat roof. This is caused by debris, such as twigs, dirt, leaves or branches, blocking your drainage, further causing water to back up on your roof which can lead to leaks or even a roof collapse. To prevent this, have your gutters cleared out of any debris, and inspect them if it’s still stable enough to direct rainwater away from your home. It’s also a good idea to trim tree branches that are large or overhanging your home to prevent them from dropping on your roof and drainage.

Have Regular Inspections

These “surprises” can really catch you off-guard if you’re not physically, mentally and financially prepared for it. This is why it’s important to have regular inspections to spot roofing issues early and address them before they cause any further damage to other components of your home. It will also help you prepare for your roofing project because it can proceed smoothly since you can resolve these issues without hampering the progress of your project and getting in the way of your expected budget.

If you are in need of trusted residential roofing contractors for your next project, trust in AQ Roofing LLC! We take pride in what we do, and we put our passion into our work. We care for each job as if it were our own. Call us at (501) 214-7167, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.