Your roofing is an extremely important part of your home, which is why it’s so critical to keep it in good working condition.
In our last article, we talked about the 7 steps to keep your roofing healthy. We’re continuing our discussion on roof health here, pointing out the top signs that your roof may be providing poor energy efficiency by losing heat.
Let’s jump right in!
Where’s the Snow?
Snow on the roof during a Wisconsin winter is normal. And although too much snow could damage your roof (which is why it may need to be carefully removed with a snow roof rake, or by a professional), if the snow is melting as soon as it lands on the roof — this can mean that heat from inside the home is escaping through the roof, making the roof warm enough to melt the snow. This typically occurs because of poor insulation.
You Notice Damaged or Missing Shingles
Well-crafted asphalt roofing is meant to last between 15 to 30 years. That said, eventually shingles start to age and wear to the point where they are damaged, or even missing. And as you may have guessed, this can cause a good amount of heat loss through the roofing. If you notice that your roofing shingles are damaged or missing, get in touch with a local roofing contractor in the Dane County area. At the very least, have them perform an inspection to see exactly how bad the damage to your roof is. On a side note, you should never have to pay for a roof inspection, so beware of companies that want to charge you for one! At Legacy, our inspections are always complimentary so you don’t have to worry about spending money to make sure your roof is OK.
Insufficient Insulation
As mentioned earlier, a poorly insulated attic can cause heat loss through your roof. Essentially what happens is when there are gaps between the ceiling and the roof that aren’t filled with insulation, warm air has a tendency to leak out — which is how the heat from your home can melt the snow that lands on the roof. If you find this is the case with your insulation, get it inspected and fixed so the insulation barrier is intact for better energy efficiency. During the inspection, it’s also a good idea to check for mold, mildew or fungi, which leads us to our next telltale sign …
Are You Seeing Leaks and/or Condensation Inside Your Home?
A leaky roof can cause all kinds of issues in a home. In addition to letting water in, it also allows for warm air to escape. Visual cues, you can detect from inside your home, that there is a leak in your roof include: condensation, mold and/or water spots on walls or the ceiling. If this is occurring, get your home inspected ASAP to help mitigate mold and mildew growth, as well as damage to the inside of the home.
Flashing is Damaged
Flashing is what’s used to properly seal the edges and joints of your roof — kind of like the caulk around your kitchen sink, it forms a barrier that is meant to keep water from leaking into where it doesn’t belong. If your flashing is damaged, water has a pathway into your home. Energy loss, and structural damage can occur with damaged flashing, so it’s important to get the issue rectified ASAP.
Ventilation Issues
As we talked about in our 7 steps to keep your roofing healthy article, proper attic ventilation is critical to a healthy roof. If roofing ventilation is inadequate, it can cause heat to be trapped in the attic, leading to poor energy efficiency. A well ventilated attic, along with proper insulation, can go a long way in keeping the health and energy efficiency of your home intact.
Get in Touch Anytime …
Whether you’re looking for a complimentary roof inspection, or simply have some questions about your roofing, feel free to contact Legacy Exteriors anytime. We’re always happy to help!
