Common Low-Slope Roof Problems

Obvious or unforeseen roofing problems are a part of the world. Get over it. One day you’ll be sitting at home with a cup of hot cocoa with a couple mini marshmallows with the fire blazing watching the view until you feel the slightest drop of water on pelt your head. It’s inevitable. Whether it’s poor craftsmanship or negligence, problems will arise. Buildings magazine examined the most common problems that can lead to roof failure or reduced service life. However, this is not a self-diagnostics list so please do not try to do any of this stuff yourself, call us here at Jordan Roofing.

1. Roof Leaks and Moisture - No matter what type of roof you have, if you have leaks there is going to be a problem. Leaks can result when single-ply membrane roofs are installed with poor seams. Without the good seams, the membrane holds water, and you've got to have the seams glued or heat-welded correctly.

2. Blow-Offs, Tenting, Reduced Wind Uplift Resistance, and Billowing - Poorly attached flashing on hot bituminous roofs can cause open seams and laps which will eventually lead to blow-offs, reduced puncture resistance, and code issues (C.A.R.E.).

3. Poor Installation and Unsatisfactory Workmanship - A faulty installation dramatically increases the likelihood of problems and reduces a roof system’s life expectancy.

4. Lack of Maintenance - Getting your roof installed and then failing to maintain it is almost worse than unsatisfactory workmanship. Without check ups and patch ups you will find yourself with one of the top two problems. Do not be lazy.

5. Ponding Water - The roof has a good chance of performing the way that it should as long as the water is being chased off of the roof. However, if a little pool of water finds a nook or cranny to stay dormant in, coupled with UV rays, it can break down the membrane and perhaps even void your roofing warranty, so be careful.  

You might think “Oh this will never happen to me, my roof is just fine,” but I guarantee that naivety will get you either really wet, or really hot, so don’t be a hero and give us a call.

                            INSULATING YOUR ATTIC HELPS LOWER ENERGY BILLS

One of the easiest ways to help regulate your energy bills is insulating your attic. Most of the heat or air conditioning that gets pumped into your house is going to escape through the roof if you don’t have good insulation. Also, once the attic insulation is complete, it’s worry free for quite a few years.  The insulation works as a barrier that keeps heat or cold air from transferring through to the outside, so the temperature inside your home is barely affected by the temperature outside…hot or cold.

Insulating your attic can save you hundreds of dollars a year in heating and cooling costs. The cost to insulate will be offset by the huge savings you will experience in your energy bills.

There are three major forms of insulation that can be used in your attic. They are: 
Loose-Fill

Loose-Fill insulation is shot out of a machine straight on to the floor of your attic. It is a great way to make sure that all the small and hard to reach places get filled in. This kind of insulation is best put in by a contractor as it requires special machinery.

Sprayed Foam Polyurethane

Sprayed foam Polyurethane is best to use if you are ever planning to build-out your attic.  Unlike the other forms of insulation, this is added to the roof of the attic rather than the floor. This insulation automatically expands to fill in every crack and crevice while preventing water vapor from passing through. It has an extremely high rating for insulation, and as a result is more costly.

Roll-On/Blanket

Blanket insulation is the easiest type of insulation to install. If you’re a “do-it-yourselfer (DIY)”, this is a good type of attic insulation for you to investigate.  It does have a down-side however. Since it is laid out in strips or squares you only cover large general areas, while smaller crevices can be missed; allowing air to leak out.

Regardless of the type of attic insulation you may choose, Jordan Roof Company, located in Orange County CA, can help. In addition to attic insulation, they of course repair and install roofs. They have been serving Orange and Los Angeles counties for over 30-years, and offer a warranty on all work.  They also will provide you with a free estimate and work round the clock 24/7 in cases of emergencies. Call Jordan Roof today for your free estimate, toll-free @ 888-858-6577 or visit their website @ www.jordanroof.com.