Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Water Stains on Your Ceiling

When you lay down to go to sleep at night and you stare at the ceiling, you might notice rounded, brownish colored patches. These are water stains, and they often indicate that you have a problem with your roof in Redmond. The presence of water stains means that moisture is getting through your cedar shake roof and into your home, where it can cause a multitude of problems for the house’s structural integrity and the quality of your indoor air. If the stain continues to get bigger, then it’s going to be a reoccurring issue. Read ahead and find out exactly why you shouldn’t ignore water stains on your ceiling.

You don’t have to be a roofing professional to realize that a water stain on the ceiling is a problem, but you might need one in order to fix it. This typically means that there’s a leak in your roof, so whenever you get rain, snow, sleet, or hail, the precipitation may seep through your shingles and land on the backside of your ceiling. This will continue until you have the leak fixed. The longer you wait, the more vulnerable you are to moisture problems like mold growth and structural damage.

Your roof in Redmond protects your home, and your gutters protect your roof. At the end of the day, it’s your job to maintain these fixtures so that they can continue to protect you. Watch this video and clean out your gutters to protect your roof.

A properly maintained roof can last for 20 years or more, so it’s worth it to walk to the curb and look at your house once in a while. If it looks like your gutters are overflowing with leaves and animal nests, then it’s time to do some cleaning. Water can spill over onto your roof, leak into your house, and create an array of issues. Have your gutters checked and cleaned 3 times a year to get rid of debris before there’s any buildup, and install a gutter protection system to preserve both the gutters and the roof.

Seasoned roofing contractors in Redmond may recommend that homeowners install new gutters along with their new roof. If your gutters are failing, leaving them in place might lead to significant damage to your new roof shingles. Bad gutters increase the risk of ice dams during the winter. Consequently, ice dams can damage the roofing materials. This means you’ll have to schedule emergency repairs in the middle of winter. Ice dams can also cause significant damage to other structural elements of your home, and they may lead to flooding inside your home.

In addition to ice dams, failing gutters can lead to rotting and deterioration of the fascia boards, which hold the gutters in place. And if your home has wooden siding, this material can also sustain moisture damage from the water overflowing from the gutter system. If you’re scheduling a roof replacement, having new gutters installed is a smart move. Since the work can be done at the same time, it will minimize the disruption to your family’s routine.

If you notice any signs of damage to your roof, you should call a roofing contractor in Redmond promptly to schedule roof repairs . It’s also advisable to walk around the exterior of your home after a major storm to visually check for missing or damaged shingles. If you do notice anything that looks out of place, call a professional to do a roof inspection—don’t try to climb up there yourself.

Your energy bills will increase.

The same gaps in your roof that allow water to leak in will also allow for heat transfer. In the winter, your heated air inside the home will escape. In the summer, the hot air outside will make your air conditioner work harder. The result is higher utility bills all year-round—and a less eco-friendly house.

The damage will get worse.

At first, you may only notice some slight discoloration on your ceiling. As time passes, it will start to look more like a water stain. Later on, your ceiling might start leaking. Missing and damaged shingles, gaps between shingles, and other problems never go away by themselves. The longer you delay roof repairs, the worse the damage will get. Eventually, your home may show signs of water damage to the following:

• Decking underneath the roof shingles
• Insulation
• Attic
• Drywall
• Foundation

The more widespread and severe the damage gets, the more expensive the repairs will be when you finally do schedule them.

Water damage will allow mold growth.

Toxic mold is one of every homeowner’s nightmares. It can sicken your family and pets, and cause existing medical conditions to get worse, such as asthma and allergies. Mold spores can spread easily and multiply rapidly. Once your home is damaged by water, it’s susceptible to widespread mold infestations. You could even have toxic black mold behind the walls or under the wallpaper without realizing it.

Animals and pests can get into the roofing system.

Many homeowners think that animals could only penetrate the roofing system and the house if there are very large gaps. But actually, mice can climb through holes as small as a dime. Some pest experts say that mice could even get through a hole the size of a pencil eraser. And if the gaps in your roofing system are larger, you might even hear squirrels rustling around in your attic. The sooner you get your roof repaired, the better protected you’ll be from pests.

In the Redmond area, roof repairs are often due to damage inflicted by ice dams. Ice dams are thick, heavy ridges of ice that can be found at the edge of the roof. If not addressed promptly, ice dams can cause significant damage to your home, and require costly roof repairs. It is possible to prevent ice dams, even in northern climates. A roofing company can help you with this.

Why Ice Dams Form

Ice dams develop when certain wintry conditions are met. First, the roof must have snow on top of it. Second, the higher elevations of the roof must be above freezing on the exterior, and the lower part of the roof must be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures, if sustained over time, will cause the snow at the higher elevation to melt. The water will run down the roof, and freeze at the lower section. The result is an ice dam.

How Ice Dams Cause Water Damage

Once an ice dam forms at the edge, snow continues to melt and flow down toward the dam. The freezing water will make the ice dam grow larger. Once the dam is large enough, the melting snow will no longer reach the parts of the roof that are at or below the freezing point. It will remain liquid, and this allows it to seep into cracks. The result is water damage in the attic, and eventually, the lower parts of the home.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

It’s possible for homes to be more susceptible to ice dams if the roofs weren’t properly installed. Consider asking a reputable roofing company to do an inspection. To prevent future damage throughout your home, it may be worthwhile to get a roof replacement before the next winter. Other steps to take include sealing all areas in the ceiling to prevent heated air from transferring from the main part of the house up to the attic. Heated air in the attic will cause the top of the roof to warm up, which allows snow to melt and form ice dams. Some homeowners take the extra step of having additional insulation placed in the attic.

Your home’s roofing system will provide it with sturdy support for decades. However, even the highest quality roof may contain certain weak areas that require routine maintenance and repairs. By taking the time to inspect and repair these areas, you can extend the overall lifespan of your roofing system. A team of roofers serving Redmond can provide you with a thorough inspection of all of the vulnerable spots on your home’s roof. To help you identify which areas of your roofing may eventually need repairs, here is a look at some common roofing problem areas.

Fascia

During a roof inspection, your roofers will typically take the time to inspect the quality and condition of your fascia. Fascia is a term that is used to describe the wood or metal trim that runs along the lower edge of your roof. Since the primary role of your fascia is to protect the internal components of your roofing system from the elements, it is critical that this component remains intact.

Soffit

The soffit is directly underneath the fascia, and this roofing component is responsible for ventilating the roof. To protect your soffit from damage, look for signs of cracks, holes, or pest infestations. Your soffit should be constructed from a water proof material that is ready to withstand the elements.

Flashings

Many residential roofs contain valleys, walls, and other types of edges. During a new roof construction project, your technician will seal your roof’s edges with a product called flashing. Flashing is your roof’s main line of defense against rain, UV rays, and other harsh elements. Unfortunately, your roof flashing can become damaged during a storm or other weather event. To ensure that your roof remains in good condition, make sure that your flashing is correctly installed and sealed.

When the time comes to replace your home’s roof, you will want to make sure that you work with a team of roofing contractors who are highly qualified to perform your roof installation. By hiring experienced roofing contractors near Redmond, you can make sure that your new roof is attractive and made from high quality materials. As you are designing your new roof installation, you may want to consider some of the different types of roofs that are available to your home . Here is a quick overview of some of the different roofing materials that you might want to choose for your house.

Asphalt Composition

Asphalt composition roofs are among the most popular types of roofs that are used on today’s homes. When you choose an asphalt roof for your property, you can feel great knowing that your roofing materials will be durable, attractive, and built to withstand extreme weather conditions. Another advantage of asphalt composition roofs is that these types of roofs are available in many different colors and styles.

Cedar Shake

The cedar shake roof has been a classic type of roof for many decades. When you are deciding on what type of roofing materials to use on your home, you may want to explore the benefits of new cedar shakes and shingles. After you have installed new cedar roofing in your home, you can rest assured that your roofing materials will last for up to 50 years or more. Cedar shakes can also provide a home with rustic style.

Low Pitch

While low pitch or flat roofs used to be very common for commercial buildings, more and more homeowners are choosing to install low pitch roofs on their homes. Unlike asphalt or cedar roofs, which have a defined slope or pitch, low pitch roofs are nearly flat. A benefit of a low pitch roof is that this type of roofing can be crafted with environmentally friendly materials that will help you save energy. No matter what type of roof you choose, you will want to hire a certified contractor for your installation.

A house fire can be devastating to your roof in Bellevue, and the type of roofing materials that are used can make an important difference. If you want to protect your roofing shingles and your home itself, synthetic shake may be the way to go. Take a look at this video clip to preview the impressive fire resistance of synthetic shake roofs.

Compared to other types of roofing, synthetic shake tends to hold up exponentially better when there’s a fire. A fire may slowly spread across a typical roof until it has become completely enveloped and destroyed, but synthetic shake does a great job of containing the flames. It does such a good job of containing them, in fact, that it can put them out entirely. This type of roofing material can be a safer choice for your family, make your home more valuable, and still increase your curb appeal.

Regular roof cleaning in Redmond can prevent the need for eventual roof repair or replacement. If you’re wondering about the best ways to keep moss and algae off of your roof, watch this video for some tips from an expert.

To avoid shingle failure, it’s important to keep moss off of your roof. One way you can do this is to use a strategy from Mother Nature. Copper actually acts as a moss-killing poison, and it’s safe and easy to use on your roof. Try having professional roofing contractors install copper strips underneath the shingles at the top of your roof or purchase roof shingles that are made with small pieces of copper. As the moss won’t grow when contaminated with copper, you’ll be left with a moss- and algae-free roof that is less prone to damage.

When you are looking for durable and affordable roofing materials for your roof replacement, you may want to consider composition roofing. Composition asphalt roofing shingles are designed to be extremely long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear. After your composition installation is completed, you will enjoy a beautiful and durable roof that will be the perfect complement to your home’s exterior. At B&J Roofing, we are proud to offer composition roofing materials in Redmond . For example, we carry a full line of top rated Malarkey roof products, including composition shingles. Our CertainTeed roofing is available with algae resistant coatings that will help to reduce your maintenance requirements. When you choose to install composition roofing with our company, we will also provide you with a fantastic roof warranty. Finally, our roofing materials are all rated Class A fireproof. Our team looks forward to assisting you with every step of your roof replacement near Redmond.