Utah is an incredible place to live, but it can be hard on roofs. We see water, ice, heat, sun, hail, rain, and wind, all of which challenge your roofing materials in different ways. Let’s look at some of the most common roofing problems in Utah and how you can address or avoid them.
Creature Comforts
Your roof helps make your home a comfortable place for your family, but unfortunately, it can create an inviting environment for insects, birds, rodents, racoons, and other unwanted house guests. These creatures aren’t just noisy and messy. They can also eat your wood, infest your attic, nibble on your furnishings, and damage your insulation.
The best way to keep out unwanted wildlife is to make sure your roof is in good condition. Small holes and cracks create open doors for creatures looking for a safe place to call home. Improperly graded roof surfaces can lead to standing water which can be used as a water hole, bird bath, or mosquito nursery. And clogged gutters provide building materials for birds’ nests and even some types of stinging insects.
If you notice more animal or bug activity around your home or roofline, consider a professional roofing inspection to ensure your roof isn’t creating an open invitation to unwanted guests.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are sheets or chunks of ice that form when snow on your roof melts and then refreezes. These overhead icebergs can be dangerous if they happen to fall when someone is standing below. Even if they don’t harm any people or pets, they can still harm your shingles and gutters, thanks to their weight. They are a problem that should be addressed.
Thankfully, with our cold winters, Salt Lake City roofing contractors know how to deal with ice dams. Ice dams occur when there is insufficient ventilation or insulation in your attic. Trapped warm air heats the roof surface, melting snow. When temperatures drop, that melt freezes, forming a dam. Adding proper vents can keep the roof’s temperature more stable, decreasing the likelihood of ice dams.
Moisture Issues
While some parts of Utah are arid, others see significant rainfall. You might think that in a drier climate, moisture isn’t an issue. But even a quarter inch of rain can be problematic if it gets into your home. If it gets inside your walls or floors, moisture can cause several problems, including:
- Rot, which damages the building’s structure
- Mold can be a significant health hazard
- Damage to interior materials and furnishings
A modern roof product, installed properly and kept in good condition will do most of the work of preventing moisture issues. If you see water spots on your walls or other signs of water incursion, contact a roofing company near you immediately. They can determine the source of the problem, perform necessary repairs, or give you an estimate for roof replacement using materials that are made to stand up to all the challenges presented by Utah’s weather.
Excessive Heat
It’s easy to forget that your roof plays a meaningful role in keeping your home cool and comfortable in hot weather. But part of your roof’s job is helping your home breath, releasing hot air from the attic and drawing in cooler air from below. If your roof system and vents are not functioning properly your roof can drive up both the temperature and your energy bills.
When it’s time for a new roof, selecting a lighter-colored material can help bring down temperatures. Your roofing contractor can also advise you on cool-roof technology and which products are best suited for Salt Lake City weather conditions.
Wind Woes
While we don’t get hurricanes ever, and tornadoes are rare events, Utah still sees windy conditions, especially in the winter. Winter storms can bring heavy winds that are easily capable of dislodging shingles. While this is more common with older roofs that have outlived their expected lifespan, it can happen with even newly installed roofs. If you don’t carefully select your products and use a skilled roofing contractor, winds can be a problem for more than just your hairstyle.
If your home is in a particularly windy area, consider slate or concrete roof products, which can withstand gusts of 125 MPH. These materials also have extremely long life expectancy, sometimes lasting a century or longer.
Utah’s conditions ask a lot of residential roofing, but there are products that are up to the challenge, and skilled roofing professionals that know how to address these issues. Whether you need an inspection to give you peace-of-mind or locate problems, repairs to address issues, or a new roof to replace a daily system, roofing companies in Utah can help. They will address your concerns, answer your questions, and provide insight to help you find the solutions that work best for your home and your specific roofing problems.
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