When you install a new roof in your home, your roofer will use valley roof flashing to secure the roof shingles along each valley area. While valley roof flashing is highly durable, this roofing material can sometimes stick out as an unsightly presence on your roof. In order to help your valley roof flashing blend in with your other roofing materials, you may want to ask a roofing company in Redmond about how to cover your flashing. By painting your flashing and then covering it with roof granules, you can make sure that all of your roofing materials blend seamlessly together. To find out more about valley roof flashing, check out this video from Ask The Builder.

Your roofing is among the most important structural features of your home. When you plan a roof replacement, or build a brand new roof for your home, it is essential to choose roofing materials that are both stylish and durable. A cedar shake roof is among the most versatile types of roofing that you can choose for your home. With a new cedar shake roof from a company offering roofing materials in Redmond, you are sure to be delighted at the function and style of your new roof. In order to keep your cedar roof in great condition, you will need to perform routine maintenance procedures. Here is a look at some of the basics of cedar roof maintenance.

Ensure Proper Installation

When you are placing a new cedar shake roof on your home, you will want to make sure that your roofing contractor uses proper installation procedures. In order to fully adhere to your roof, your cedar shingles will be placed on a material that is known as felt. While felt provides a valuable layer of protection between your shingles and your roof, the felt will need to be properly installed in order to prevent any type of damage.

Avoid Unnecessary Sealing or Staining

Along with making sure that your roof is properly installed, you will also want to make sure that you avoid any unnecessary sealing or staining. While a stain will add curb appeal to your cedar shake roof, a stain is not needed to protect the cedar against the elements. In addition, a seal on your cedar shake roof can actually cause the roofing materials to decompose more quickly.

Clean on a Regular Basis

In order to help your cedar shake roof last for as long as possible, you will want to clean your roof on a regular basis. Your roofing contractor will be able to help you set up a cleaning and maintenance plan that will keep your cedar in fantastic condition. When you take the time to remove moss, leaves, and other forms of debris from your roof, you will be able to enjoy a beautiful roof for many decades to come.

A roof in Bellevue that leaks can cause you many problems, especially if that leaky roof isn’t dealt with in a timely manner. If you discover or suspect that your roof has been compromised, contact a reputable roofing contractor as soon as possible to set up an inspection. The longer you wait, the more costly the repairs may be. Here are some common problems associated with a leaky roof.

Mold and Mildew Issues

A roof that leaks, particularly one that has been leaking for a while, can create an ideal environment that allows mold and mildew to thrive in, and to grow wildly. Given enough time and moisture, fungal infestations can become disastrous, damaging your home’s structural supports and posing a health risk. People who breathe in mold spores afloat in the air can develop allergic reactions or respiratory diseases. In a worst-case scenario, the infamous black mold ( Stachybotrys chartarum ) could send you to the emergency room.

Damage from Water Intrusion

Intruding water from a leaky roof usually starts to pool directly beneath the roof, around roof vents, or in an attic. This excessive moisture can soak into your home’s insulation, dramatically reducing its effectiveness. When fiberglass and cellulose insulation becomes oversaturated, it starts to clump together and reduce in size, rendering it less energy efficient. As insulation begins to fail, monthly energy bills rise. Intruding water can soak into wooden beams and studs, weakening your home’s support structures, as well as adversely affecting things like drywall, plaster, and paint.

Electrical Fires and Shock

Your home harbors a network of electrical wiring that runs behind your walls. If water comes into contact with live wires, it can cause electrical shorts, which can shock you if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. These electrical shorts can also start house fires. If you notice signs of water intrusion inside your home, especially if you’re near an electrical panel or exposed wiring, shut off the power supply to your home immediately and contact a professional.

Not only can a leaky roof be aggravating, but it also can be disastrous. A compromised roof can lead to a whole host of problems such as water damage inside your home or mold growth. Luckily, if leaks are addressed immediately after they’re discovered, they can be easily be stopped by any of the qualified roofing contractors in Redmond . If a failing roof is left neglected, it can result in a costly roof replacement and much more. Here are some surprising dangers of a roof that leaks.

Interior Water Damage

One of the first places water from a leaky roof goes is in the attic. If you use your attic space for storage or if it’s insulated, you may have a problem on your hands. Regarding insulation, fiberglass and cellulose materials can become oversaturated, which can deplete them overtime and cause your insulation to fail. Water intrusion can also affect your ceiling and the walls directly below—with prolonged exposure to moisture, drywall can warp and paint can bubble and peel. Water damage can also lead to mold growth.

Mold and Mildew Infestations

If left unrepaired, a leaky roof can encourage mold and mildew to grow out of control. Mildew can be unsightly, but it’s relatively easy to clean up. Mold, on the other hand, can be much more insidious. Certain mold spores can cause minor allergic reactions in people who are sensitive or who are susceptible to respiratory diseases. One mold in particular, the dreaded black mold ( Stachybotrys chartarum ), can be toxic. Though rarely occurring, black mold is definitely a concern where water intrusion is chronic. If you suspect black mold in your home, contact a mold expert immediately.

Electrical Fires

Electrical wiring runs throughout your home, and can be found behind walls, in your attic space, and above your ceiling. Water from a leaky roof can interact with wiring and cause electrical shorts, which can potentially lead to house fires. If you see signs of water intrusion in your attic or on your ceiling, schedule an inspection with a roof repair specialist and an electrician as soon as possible.

Compromised Structure

A failing roof that’s allowing water inside can weaken and damage the wooden structure of your home. Rafters, collar ties, studs, ceiling joists, and fascia boards can become oversaturated and rot.

In the event that you notice water spots on your ceiling or around a skylight, you may be in need of emergency roof repair . As the main line of defense between your home and the elements, your roofing should be regularly maintained to prevent roof leaks. Routine roof and home inspection can help you catch a roof leak before it becomes serious. Some signs of a roof leak include curling roof shingles, broken shingles, missing flashing, or areas of pooled water.

Your roofing contractors near Redmond will be able to pinpoint and repair the precise source of your roof leak. If you are curious about how you can spot a roof leak on your property, be sure to take a look at this video.

A leaky roof can lead to serious structural damage, and it may even affect your family’s health by promoting ceiling mold. That’s why it’s important to have your roof repaired as soon as you take notice of a leak. Unfortunately, roof leaks aren’t always so easy to diagnose. So, how do you know when to call a roof repair company in Redmond to fix your leaking roof? Contact a roofing contractor if you notice any of these signs of a roof leak.

Damaged or Missing Shingles
Although damaged or missing shingles are not caused by leaks, this is a very telling sign that your roof is not totally weatherproof. Broken shingles or missing sections means that water may be getting inside the attic, where it can cause all sorts of problems. If you notice damaged or missing shingles, call a roof repair company before the next storm rolls through.

Damaged or Missing Flashing
Similarly, damaged or missing flashing is another indication that your roof may be leaking. Flashing is used to reinforce and seal vulnerable spots in the roof, which means that damaged or missing flashing can allow water to leak through these areas. Fortunately, flashing is very easy for roofing contractors to replace.

Water Stains on the Ceiling
You can also look for signs of a leaky roof inside your home. If you notice water stains on the ceiling, it may be a warning sign that water is pooling in the attic. Unless you have plumbing in your attic, the most likely explanation for pooling water is a leak in the roof. If you have a water leak, scheduling roof repair as soon as possible can help to minimize the damage.

No matter how small a leak may seem, water damage can sneak up on you and require thousands of dollars in repairs before you know it. Contacting a roof repair company at the first sign of a roof repair can spare you considerable time, money, and stress.