Living in Minnesota means you get to enjoy some of the most beautiful countryside available nationwide. It also means you must be ready to live through some of the most intense weather available anywhere. This is especially true during the spring and winter months.
As the weather changes, your home will experience a beating like no other. Your roof, for instance, will be exposed to varying elements such as hail, snow, ice, and wind. Knowing this in advance can help you put in place measures to protect your shingles and roofing system.
At Schmidt Roofing, we provide a broad range of residential and commercial roofing services. We’ve compiled a list of seven common roof problems to watch out for so you know when it’s time to call in a professional.
1. Ice Dams
Anyone who has lived in Minnesota for more than a few months has likely experienced this issue. These dams come about due to inadequate roof ventilation or attic insulation. They occur when the snow on the roof begins to melt, causing water to refreeze at the attics. This refreezing causes the formation of a barrier that prevents normal drainage. If left unchecked, this can cause water to seep into your home, thus damaging your walls and ceilings. The surest way to prevent this problem is by insulating and ventilating your attic. Additionally, calling in a professional to clear off snow from your roof can prevent their formation.
2. Popped Up Shingles
Strong winds are quite common in this state. If you’ve lived through them, you may have seen that they can easily result in popped-up shingles. Such a scenario will cause the underlying layers of your roofing system to become exposed. Their exposure will then lead to water and UV-ray infiltration, which can cause untold damage to the residence. Having a roofer come in and inspect the roof regularly can prevent such an eventuality. Our roofers will inspect your roof for missing shingles and advise you on the best way forward. They may also recommend replacing some of the shingles as a precautionary measure.
3. Roof Leaks
A leaky roof can be caused by several issues. Some of its main causes include inadequate underlayment, missing shingles, and issues with the flashing. No matter the cause, leaving it unattended can lead to costly repairs. For example, once water seeps into the property, it will damage your walls, ceilings, and insulation. Furthermore, the presence of moisture in the structure can lead to the formation of mold. Mold is harmful to your health and can grow in places you typically can’t see, such as behind walls.
The good news is that you can detect the presence of leaks by checking for ceiling stains. If your roof doesn’t have any telltale water stains or marks, have a roof inspector check for “shiners.” Shiners refers to nails that didn’t go into the framing member during roofing. These are some of the biggest sources of roof leaks.
4. Tree Damage
It’s not uncommon for property owners to ignore overgrown trees rubbing against their roofs. For example, if intense winds or a hailstorm were to happen, branches being blown can collide with your roof and damage it. Their branches can loosen up the shingles or even cause the gutters to fall off. If you factor in the heavy rainfall that accompanies such hailstorms, it increases the likelihood of leaving moisture behind.
Even if a tree doesn’t physically rub against your roof, its proximity can still make it a liability. If leaves or branches collect on your roof, they can trap moisture, too. Over time, that moisture can weaken the roof and cause more potential problems. Plus, larger branches can snap off in inclement weather and damage your roof.
The solution to such an issue is to trim off all protruding tree branches. To ensure that you won’t place yourself in harm’s way, have a professional do it for you.
5. Ventilation Issues
Roof and attic ventilation can significantly improve the longevity of your roofing system. Your house should have vents near the roof to allow the warm air that rises from your home to actually leave your home. As it does so, it helps regulate the temperature of your home, as well as take moisture with it.
When a property has adequate ventilation, the temperature and dampness levels in the attic get to be properly regulated. However, when this is lacking, heat and moisture will start to build up inside the building. Over time, that heat and moisture will cause stress on your home’s structure. The result is roofing problems on your sheaths, insulation, and shingles. As these problems become more prominent, your energy bills may even begin to increase. Poor ventilation may also contribute to other issues, such as mold and mildew growth.
6. Clogged Gutters
Lack of routine maintenance can cause problems to arise in your gutters. A clogged gutter will become backed up, leading to a host of other issues. For example, vegetation can start to grow, causing water damage to the gutters. This will then result in the rotting of the rafter tails. If you don’t act immediately, the overflow from the gutters will spill out onto your windows or siding. And this will lead to even more water-related issues. The fastest way to address such an issue is to ensure the gutters get cleaned at least once a year. Make sure to avoid a DIY project, as this may lead to bodily harm if you slide off the ladder. Our roof repair experts will be more than happy to clean the gutters for you. Use this opportunity to have your roof checked for leaks, missing shingles, and other common issues.
7. Roof Shrinkage
Shrinkage in a roofing system occurs because of the presence of cracks and splits. This allows moisture to get into a property, causing other issues to emerge. Often, roof shrinkage starts at the roof’s outer membrane. This is the section that protects your roofing system from damage brought on by the weather elements.
Examples of factors that can cause shrinkage include harsh weather, defective manufacturing processes, and poor design. As a property owner, you can prevent this from happening by investing in quality materials from the get-go. Hiring an experienced roofing company to handle the installation will also help. Professional roofers know the guidelines to follow to ensure such issues don’t occur in their builds.
Why Hire Schmidt Roofing for Roofing Services in Minnesota?
Living in Minnesota means being able to adapt to changing weather conditions. As a property owner, this means being able to care for your roofing system all year round. At Schmidt Roofing, we have over 50 years of combined experience in the Minnesota roofing industry. We have a professional team of in-house roofers that can handle everything from repairs to new installation and maintenance. Since we got into the industry, we have developed a reputation for always getting the job done. Our customers trust us to get the job done, no matter its size or complexity. To this end, we provide a wide range of services that include:
- Snow and ice removal
- Residential and commercial roofing
- Storm damage repair
- All types of siding
- Insulation and ventilation
- Windows and skylights
For professional roofing services in Minnesota, contact Schmidt Roofing today!
