Your roof is responsible for protecting your home or business against the elements. Unfortunately, many owners take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to their roof. Routine inspections are important to catch problems before they get serious. The following are the most common problems local roofing companies see in Ohio.

#1. Poor Installation
Even the best roofing materials will fail prematurely if they aren’t installed correctly. Faulty installation significantly increases the risk of issues and reduces the life expectancy of your roof. Depending on the damage, roof repair may be sufficient to salvage your roof. Unfortunately, sometimes poor installation requires a new roof.

#2. Leaks
Roof leaks are the most common issue homeowners in Ohio encounter with their roof. Roofs can leak for many reasons, including failed flashing, damaged or missing shingles, and clogged roof vents. Roof leaks will occur in the weakest areas of the roof such as:

— At the chimney

— Valleys and low spots

— Near pipes, vents, and skylights

— At flashing points

— At damaged shingles

#3. Ponding Water

This issue commonly affects flat commercial roofs as water drainage can be a problem without a steep pitch. Ponding or standing water on the roof is a clear sign of problems and it may be caused by many issues, including drainage problems. Some flat roof materials, such as EPDM rubber roofing, resist damage from ponding water but it should always be addressed with flat roof repair before it leads to leaks and damage.

#4. Hail Damage
Residential and commercial roofs can both sustain damage from hail. Hail damage to a shingle roof can be easy to recognize as it causes holes, splitting, cracks, and granule loss that may require shingle replacement or even a new roof. Hail damage to a flat roof can be harder to detect and may go unnoticed for months. PVC, TPO, and EPDM membranes may not show visible damage but the hail impact can damage the fiberglass mesh and cause the roof to fail sooner than it should.

#5. Failed Flashing
Metal flashing is designed to keep water out of the areas where the shingles meet other surfaces, such as the chimney and window openings. Flashing can fail over time and allow water to leak under the roof material. Sometimes it isn’t installed properly to begin with and sealed with roof cement, which cracks and leaks very quickly.

#6. Shrinkage
This problem affects flat commercial roofs. As the roof material shrinks, it can cause issues like cracks and deterioration. It can also cause the flashing and other components to pull apart. Shrinkage can happen with EPDM rubber roofing and other types of single ply membranes. Commercial roof repair may be able to address shrinkage.

#7. Missing or Damaged Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material for residential roofs in Ohio. While shingles can last up to 20 years with proper care, they are prone to damage in a storm. Heavy winds and hail are particularly damaging to shingles as the shingles can be blown off or damaged to the point where they do not protect the home. Having your roof inspected annually, and checking your roof yourself after a major storm, can detect damage or missing shingles before serious water damage occurs.