5 Common Tacoma Roofing Problems and How to Fix Them

Discover 5 Common Tacoma Roofing Problems and Learn How to Fix Them

Residents of Tacoma, Washington, come to understand both the beauty and the trials of life in the Pacific Northwest. For all its green surroundings and picture-postcard views, there is the fact of a lot of rain, windstorms now and then, and a moist climate that can be hard on your roof. A roof in good shape aids greatly in protecting the home, but in the weather that Tacoma experiences, a few common problems with roofs can occur. If neglected, they can lead to costly fixes or even a new roof altogether.

In this blog, we discuss five common problems homeowners in Tacoma experience concerning their roofs and practical solutions to each. With a good understanding of these problems and how to solve them, you can extend the life of your roof and avoid unforeseen expenses.

1. Roof Leaks

Explanation:
Probably the most dreaded of several different kinds of roofing problems a homeowner can have is a leaky roof. In Tacoma, with its almost constant rainfall, a small leak may suddenly turn out to be a huge problem if water damage starts in your ceilings, walls, and even on the foundation of your home. Leaks can be caused by a number of factors, including damaged shingles, degraded flashing, or just poor sealing around the penetration of roofs, like that for vents and chimneys.

The most common signs that your roof is leaking are water marks on your ceiling, dampened walls, or even the sound of dripping water when it rains. At times, it tends to be a little tricky to track down the leaks since water can travel along your roof structure before dropping down in your livable space.

Solution:
The first step in repairing a leaking roof involves tracing its origin. This may sometimes mean getting up close and personal with your roof, either from within the attic or by crawling about its exterior at critical attention points, trying to find telltale signs of damage: missing or cracked shingles, rusted or loose flashing around chimneys, vents, or skylights; and gaps in these locations. After you’ve identified the source, you can then fix the leak by following these basic steps:

Patch Small Leaks: If the leak is minor, you can seal it right there with some roofing cement or even patching. Clean the leakage area, apply the patch, and seal with roofing cement. It may hold on until you are able to arrange a more permanent solution.
Shingles Replacement: If the leak is due to a damaged shingle, carefully take out the broken shingle and replace it with a new one. Take care to seal the edges with roofing cement to avoid further leakage.
Inspect and Maintain Flashing: Flashing is that thin material that is used in sealing the material between the various materials of a roof. It might tend to wear out over time. Ensure you inspect the flashing around chimneys, vent pipes, and skylights and repair or replace when the need arises.
Call a Pro: If you can’t locate the source of the leak or if the damage is significant, it’s likely in your best interest to call a professional roofing contractor. They will be able to assess the situation and make any necessary repairs to ensure that no further damage will come to your roof.

2. Cracked or Missing Shingles

Explanation:
The climate in Tacoma can be detrimental to the life of a roof, with high winds, heavy rain, and snow sometimes blowing shingles off a roof or causing them to crack and warp. Cracked, warped, or missing shingles expose your roof to the elements and allow water to seep in, which can cause damage to the structure.

Shingles are a rooftop’s first stand against anything the sky throws at it, but a single small area that’s broken will compromise the entire roof. For that reason, it’s crucially important to regularly check your roof, particularly after storms, to ensure that any issues are caught early.

Solution:
Fixing damaged or missing shingles is a pretty straightforward, if delicate, process:

Inspect Regularly: Check your roof twice a year—in spring and fall—and after any major storm. Look for damaged, loose, or missing shingles.
Replace Shingles: If there is a shingle that appears to be damaged or missing, it needs to be replaced with immediate effect. In order to replace a shingle, gently lift the shingle surrounding the damaged one and by prying up the nails, take the damaged shingle out. Slide a new one in its place, nail it, and then seal its sides with roofing cement to make it watertight.
Check for Underlying Issues: Damaged shingles can sometimes signal more significant issues—such as bad roof ventilation or structural issues. In case the damage seems to be a cyclic process, it might be worth having your roof inspected by a professional to address some deeper concerns.
Think about a Roof Replacement: If your roof has suffered wide-scale damage or it’s somewhere at the end of the life expectancy—ordinarily 20-25 years of asphalt shingles—you may want to consider full roof replacement. In addition to being able to protect you better, a new roof also enhances the energy efficiency of your home.

3. Problems with Roof Ventilation

Explanation:
Proper roof ventilation will help you sustain a healthy roof and a comfortable home. If there is improper ventilation, heat and moisture will collect in the attic and may cause problems through the growth of mold, higher utility bills, and accelerating the roofs’ aging cycle.

In Tacoma, with the overall climate being wet, it for sure makes matters worse if you have poor ventilation in the roof. Warm, moist air trapped within your attic can condense on the underside of your roof, causing wood rot, mold, and even ice dams in the wintertime.

Solution:
Improvement of roof ventilation involves ensuring that there is a balance between intake vents, which allow fresh air in, and exhaust vents, which allow warm, moist air out. Here’s how you can address ventilation problems:

Inspect Your Ventilation: Inspect your current roof ventilation system. The most common types of roof vents are ridge vents, soffit vents, gable vents, and attic fans. Your ideal roof should have intake and exhaust to allow airflow through the attic space.
Add More Vents: It is advised to add extra vents if the roof does not receive good ventilation. Ridge vents along the peak of the roof work very well for exhaust ventilation. Soffit vents, which go under the eaves, provide good intake ventilation. Have a roofing professional help you determine how many and which types are best for your roof.
Unblocked Vents: One common problem with ventilation is that the vents themselves could be obstructed by insulation, junk, or any other blockage type. Make certain that all the vents are free and working.
Install an Attic Fan: There are instances where putting in an attic fan can reinforce ventilation, especially in the hot weather. These fans can be put into place at the roof or gable and should make sure that they actively take out the warm air from the attic.
Regular Care and Cleaning: Inspect your roof vents in the same way you would with other regular household care. Ensure they are free of dirt, leaves, nests, or any other debris; when needed, replace any broken or missing vents.

4. Moss and Algae

Explanation:
Moss and algae grow wonderfully in Tacoma’s damp and cool climate. While these green and black streaks might look innocuous, they can cause a good amount of damage over time. Moss can lift and separate shingles, allowing water to seep underneath. Algae then degrade the roof appearance and lessen its ability to reflect sunlight.

Moss and algae not only eat away at your roof’s performance but also take away from your home’s curb appeal. If left untreated, it can cost you hundreds to thousands in repair costs, if not a premature roof replacement.

Solution:
Removing moss and algae and keeping them from coming back is crucial. Here’s how:

Manual Removal: Light scrubbing using a soft-bristle brush allows you to remove growth. Avoid injuring the shingles. If such is the case with stubborn growth, a mixture of water with a mild detergent or some specialized roof cleaners may help in the process. Apply and let it sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing off with a garden hose.
Chemical Treatment: For extreme cases, purchase a moss and algae killer that’s safe for roofing material. Apply it as prescribed by the manufacturer. Rinse the material profoundly to prevent any aftereffects that might damage the shingles.
Preventive Measures: Follow these preventive measures to help keep a roof free from moss and algae:
- Cut Back Overhanging Branches: Moss and algae require shade and moisture to proliferate. Trimming trees and branches that are near or overhang your house will reduce microbial growth by allowing sunlight to hit the shingles.
- Installing Zinc or Copper Strips: Zinc or copper strips can be fit while finishing along the ridges of a roof to avoid the growth of moss and algae. Rain will allow the minute amounts of that metal to leach down the roof, preventing moss from growing.
- Regular Cleaning of the Roof: Plan cleanliness of the roof with routine schedules, especially during fall when leaves and other debris gather on the roof. With frequent cleanings, you will prevent moss and algae from growing on the roof.

5. Gutter Problems

Explanation:
Gutters make up a very important part of your roofing system. They direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation. However, gutters can easily fill with leaves, debris, and even ice, making the back-up of water and potential roof damage all too likely. When downpours are, in fact, the rule in Tacoma, it’s important that you keep your gutters in fine shape.

Blocked or damaged gutters may overflow with water, leading to

water leaking through the roof, damaging the outer walls, and eroding the foundation. During winter, blocked gutters may further facilitate the formation of ice dams, which can ultimately damage the gutters and roof.

Solution:
Maintaining your gutters in pristine working order can help you avoid these problems. Here’s how:

Routine Maintenance: Gutters need to be cleaned a minimum of twice a year—at the beginning of spring and then again when fall ends—to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris. You will need to do it even more frequently if you live near overhanging trees. Place a ladder and utilize a gutter scoop or a hand trowel to remove debris, then flush gutters with a garden hose to ensure water flows freely.
Gutter Guards: Gutter guards are a great way to minimize the debris entering your gutter. These guards come in all kinds, whether they be in the form of a mesh screen, a solid cover, or others, and can be installed over a gutter to keep out leaves and other rubbish, allowing water to pass through.
Check for Damage: While cleaning out your gutters, it is important to incorporate a check for any damages to the gutters or downspouts, such as cracks, rust, or loose joints. Replacing or repairing the gutter system upon the first sign of one of these problems will make sure the system operates at its peak effectiveness continuously.
Slope Adequately: Gutters should have the right slope so that water can move towards the downspouts. Make sure your gutters have a gradual drop towards the downspouts of about one inch for every 10 feet of gutter. If you notice standing water in your gutters, you might want to correct the gradient.
How to Prevent Ice Dams: Ice dams are a winter problem. They are formed when there is melting of snow from your roof as a result of heat from your house. While running off the edge, snow refreezes and an ice dam is formed. Prevention of such ice formation requires good attic insulation and ventilation, thus making the attic cool and not heating up the rooftop. An alternative is the use of heat cables that are to be placed on the edge of the rooftop to melt the ice and snow before they accumulate.

Conclusion

Your roof is one of the most critical parts of your home. Maintaining your roof in good condition is indispensable to ensuring your property is well-protected from the elements. In Tacoma, common roofing problems in the highly volatile weather may just save you so much time, money, and trouble because of common roof issues.

Through regular roof inspections, addressing problems as they arise, and investing back into proactive maintenance, the lifespan of your roof will be extended, and your home can be safe and comfortable. When in doubt about the condition of your roof or if the time has come for professional intervention, never feel hesitant to reach out to Lobo Roofing LLC. Our team will help address any of the roofing needs you may have, from easy repairs to complete replacements.