5 Problems That Can Surface During Roof Installation
Posted on: 24 August 2021
Your roof installer will provide a quote prior to beginning work, but it is important to note that sometimes damage isn't visible until the roofer tears down the old roofing material. The following are a few things that may surface, along with how a roofer can address them.
1. Rotten Decking
One of the most common problems that is uncovered during installation is rotten decking boards. The plywood decking can sometimes be checked for rot from inside the attic, but this may not be possible if you have a finished attic with no visual access to the underside of the roof. In this case, rot and water damage may not be discovered until the old shingles come off. Fortunately, the affected decking boards can be easily replaced.
2. Chimney Leaks
Chimneys are a common location for seal failure and roof leaks. If the leak is minor enough that interior damage hasn't yet become obvious, then your roofer won't know the state of the seals and flashing until they begin to tear down the old roof. If damage is found, any deterioration of the chimney masonry must be addressed, as well as damage to the decking surrounding the chimney. Your roofer will then flash and reseal the chimney against future leaks before putting on the new roof.
3. Ventilation Problems
Your roofer can usually tell that ventilation isn't sufficient before beginning the installation, but they may not know the extent or cause of the issue until after installation begins. In some cases, the problem is with blocked or closed vents, which can easily be cleared for better airflow during the roof install. In other cases, there may be an insufficient number of vents, which means your roofer will need to install more.
4. Damaged Eaves
Much like ventilation, eave damage is often visible before installation begins. If you have gutters installed over the eaves, though, it may be difficult to fully assess the eaves until the gutters come down during installation. Wooden eaves are most likely to have hidden water damage. Replacing them with aluminum eaves is a good option for reducing the chances of damage once the new roof is on.
5. Drain Issues
Some roofs have included drainage. This is especially common if you have a swamp cooler or rooftop HVAC system. Flat roofs may also have integrated drains. Once the old roofing material is removed, your roofer can better assess the drains to make sure that water is flowing through them completely without leaking into the house. They may also need to reseal around the drain.
Contact a roof installation service if you have more questions about the new roofing process.
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