Imagine winter is here and you catch a cold. You’re feeling pain, you’re tired, your nose and throat don’t seem to give you a break, and you’re feeling down and not like yourself. You decide to go to the doctor, get a full check-up, and yes, you’re officially under the weather. The doctor prescribes you medicine and lets you know that you have to rest, and drink lots of water, and gives you recommendations like consuming foods high in vitamin C, exercising, and getting proper sleep to prevent this in the future.
Just as your body is your home, your home also has a body. And just like your body, your home can also be at risk of being unwell, especially its roof, as it is the area most exposed to weather, particularly during the rainy season when heavy rains are most likely to cause damage.
At Sustainable Living Builders, Inc., we know that a healthy roof means a healthy home and a home in proper shape stays strong to protect the well-being of the people you care about most. That is why, just as any doctor would, we’d like to provide you with a list of symptoms your roof may experience due to heavy rain and how to treat them.
- Wear and tear
For pitched roofs, heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, more often than not causes shingle deterioration, loss of granules, and even blows them off. This greatly increases the risk of water infiltrating underneath the shingles, moisture buildup in the underlayment, and potential damage to your roof’s structure.
- Water accumulation
For flat roofs, whether on a home or business, standing water is a common issue if you don’t have a proper drainage system to help water flow more freely. This can lead to wear and rapid aging, water infiltration, electrical issues, and added weight that can compromise the roof’s structure and cause sagging.
- Problems with drainage
Having trouble with your drainage system is a frequent issue that arises with heavy rain. If gutters have accumulated leaves, debris, and dirt due to a lack of gutter guards or improper cleaning they will likely get clogged and prevent water from flowing smoothly through your downspouts, causing the water to accumulate and damage your roof.
- Water intrusion
Some parts of your roofing system may present damage due to aging or heat exposure over time. This is the case with windows, flashing kits, chimneys, skylights, vents, and attic fans. If they are not properly sealed or have been damaged in any way, small cracks can lead to significant leaks that may damage your attic and the overall structure of your home.
- Wood rot
If your roof has cracks, missing shingles, or an improper drainage system, heavy rain can cause water accumulation and resulting water intrusion which provides the perfect environment for moisture to settle in the wood of your roof’s structure, which causes mold growth and wood rot and compromises your and your roof’s health.
What Is The Best Remedy For Heavy Rain?
- Schedule a “doctor’s appointment”
Just as we need to get a full check-up with our doctor at least once a year, so does your roof. You must have a professional inspect your roof for any signs of cracks, wear, or tear before the rainy season begins so you can be at ease when it comes to your roof’s health.
- Consider scheduling a roofing project
After the rainy season, you might notice that your roof needs some repairs. It might be the perfect time to schedule a roof replacement to ensure your property is protected for years to come against any water intrusion, or to consider other services such as insulation installation, skylight replacement, or flashing kit replacements for example.
- Upgrade your drainage system
If water clogging is a common occurrence, it might be time to consider replacing your gutters and downspouts and exploring the possibility of having gutter guards installed to guarantee that rain flows seamlessly away from your roof and that any blockage is prevented.
- Apply proper sealing
A major benefit of having a licensed contractor inspect your roof up close before or after long periods of constant rain is that they can identify any hard-to-find cracks in the multiple components of your roof and suggest replacements or repairs to keep the interior of your property protected from any water intrusion and eliminate any chances of moisture in the roof’s structure.
- Prepare yourself for rain
Rain is part of the richness of nature but it can cause unforeseen damage to your roof. Make sure to always hire a professional licensed contractor that can offer you a quote tailored to your roof’s needs, has a wide array of materials that accommodate your location’s climate, and provides answers to all of your questions and suggestions that guarantee your roofing system will work at its full capacity for years to come.
REMEMBER, A HEALTHY ROOF IS A HEALTHY HOME!
Sustainable Living Builders, Inc. is a roofing and solar solutions company that is invested in your well-being all year round. We don’t just share roofing articles, we provide you with tools for your everyday life. Our projects are designed to provide our customers with comfort, curb appeal, and protection. We have a team of professionals trained to strengthen your roofing system by installing materials that can withstand heavy rain and keep your property watertight. If you wouldn’t trust your health to unqualified strangers, don’t do it with the health of your home or business either! Let us take proper care of it for you.
Recent Post
