Minnesota weather can certainly take its toll on roofing systems. With wind-driven storms, rain, snow, hail, and ice dams, the elements are always there chipping away at your Golden Valley home’s roof. Even more, water has a way of damaging your roof while being very discreet about the incessant damage it’s causing.
If left unchecked, water damage can deteriorate your roofing system to the point that you will need costly repairs or an entire roof replacement. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs of water damage. Though, at times it can seem water damage is invisible. Following are four ways water could wreak havoc on your roof.
WICKING AROUND THE EDGES
Your roofing system itself may be waterproof. Yet, there are plenty of edges available to water to sneak around. For example, as water drips off the edge of the eaves of your roof, which leaves the roof vulnerable to vapor and water wicking under the edges. This is the reason Younger Exteriors always recommends drip edge flashing installed on every roof.
In fact, your roof needs flashing around all of its vulnerable edges and spots, such as those edges found at chimneys, vents, dormers, skylights, wall penetrations, and solar panels.
WATER DRIVEN UNDER SHINGLES
Wind-driven rain is especially damaging to roofing systems as water blows up under the eaves. Because this type of rainstorm is being pushed near horizontally by the wind, it presents the risk of travelling under the eaves past the flashing on the drip edge. Damage to the roof deck and fascia are ever present, and wind-driven water may even find its way past roofing shingles. Though shingles are designed with an adhesive strip, a strong wind-driven storm can still breach the shingles.
SATURATE THROUGH SHINGLES ON LOW-SLOPE ROOFS
Your roofing system and gutters depend on gravity to pull water safely from the roof, conveyed through the gutters, and exit downspouts well away from your home’s foundation. However, this isn’t always the case with low-slope roofing systems.
Rather than water flowing down the roof to the gutters, wind may assist water to pool on low-slope roofs. If the water pools long enough on the shingles instead of flowing to the gutters, water can be pulled through cracks in shingles. Roof valleys on low-slope roofs are especially susceptible to water pooling. Other problem areas for water pooling is behind your chimney.
ICE DAMS
With the amount of snowfall we receive in our area, ice dams are unfortunately quite common and can cause catastrophic water damage to a roof. As water melts and refreezes at the eaves, those growing ice dams can hold a substantial amount of water. Additionally, the ice itself can turn up shingles exposing the roof’s deck.
To prevent ice dams, the attic needs to be well insulated. The ENERGY SAVER program suggests insulation be installed in our region to R-60. Further, it’s highly advisable to seal any air leaks between the heated spaces in your home and the attic.
As is evident, there are many ways water can wreak havoc on your home’s roof. The best prevention is to have your roof inspected for signs of existing damage that will only get worse and ways that your roof can be shored up. If you need a roof inspection, contact Younger Exteriors today. We offer roof inspections at no cost and no obligation to you. Call today: (612) 360-0320
