A failing roof can cause a lot of problems. For instance, a leak that has been in place for some time can result in damages to the roof’s decking, the rafters that support the roof and any joists or wall studs that the water comes into contact with. Bear in mind that the problem will be affected by how long the leak has existed and how much water flows through it. In fact, the longer a leak exists, the more likely that heavy damages will be inflicted on the home. Luckily, the more experienced Roofing Contractors Severna Park MD can provide a solution. The first step in the process is to evaluate the roof and any areas that water has reached.
To understand why a roof fails, it is important to understand how they are constructed. The typical roof on a home consists of a skeleton made of rafters and joists at the top of the structure. These materials need to be both strong and durable in order to handle any high storm winds and the weight of the roof.
The next layer is the decking, usually a man-made material like plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board). Both of these items are created using various layers of wood and a resin to bond them together. To ensure that things remain consistent, the boards are compressed while curing. Unfortunately, these types of materials have a serious enemy, water. Once the fibers in the wood get wet, they begin to swell. This expansion allows the wood fibers to separate from the resin which causes the wood to deteriorate very quickly. Any experienced Roofing Contractors Severna Park MD will tell you that this sort of problem must be repaired or the damage will continue to spread.
The next layer is a thin membrane of roofing felt. Certain contractors may suggest that this step is unnecessary, but don’t be fooled because the roofing felt is additional protection for the decking which may actually need it. Over the felt are the shingles or other roof covering.
The bad part about all of this is that it takes very little water to start the problem and even less water to keep the leak going. A small trickle of water leaking under an attic vent or flashing can be just as dangerous to the home as a large hole in the roof. Contact Reliable Roofers Inc for more information.
