A leaking roof can be a huge disaster, but in most cases the problem starts out small and grows as time progresses. For example, a leak can begin around an attic vent when the sealant begins to dry. Once the water begins to soak into the decking, the roof will lose support. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is the way that decking is made and the other is how the structure is designed. Thankfully, expert Roof Repair Silver Spring can fix the issue, if the leak is discovered in time.
A residential roof consists of a layer of decking material over a skeleton of rafters and joists. The decking is usually plywood or OSB (oriented strand board), both of which are man-made products. The problem with these products is that the wood fibers get wet and expand. This expansion breaks the bonds between the wood and the resin that holds them together and the products deteriorate.
The next layer should be roofing felt, which is normally applied to protect the decking. Roofing felt or tar-paper originated at a time when decking was done with narrow boards and required additional coverage. Some roofing contractors prefer to build the roof without this material, but it reduces the protection factor. Roofing felt is typically 4 foot wide strips that are overlapped so that water sheds down the roof.
One area where roofs often have problems is the formation of ice and hail. Ice tends to build up beneath the shingles when water accumulates under them. The situation increases because water expands when it freezes and allows more moisture to collect. This type of failure often requires extensive Roof Repair Silver Spring because large portions of the roof will need to be exposed.
One of the most important roofing repairs is the replacement of damaged shingles. This sort of repair requires the complete removal of the old shingles and may even require the replacement of the roofing felt or decking. Thankfully, this sort of repair can be postponed by having the roof inspected frequently. To learn more roofing inspection, maintenance and repairs contact the experts at Reliable Roofers Inc.
