Ridge Vent Leak | Infinite Roofing & Construction Roofing Blog

Should My Roof Have Drip Edge, and What Color Should It Be?

September 24, 2020 by Infinite Roofing 1 Comment

What is the purpose of a drip edge on a roof?

Is a drip edge necessary? We have complied a guide for all your drip edge questions for shingle roofs. Drip edges are metal flashings that are installed around the edges of a roof to control the flow of water. These metal sheet are usually in the shape of an “L,” and direct water away from the fascia and into the gutters. Without its use, water would get under the shingles causing damage in numerous places of the roof. Your local roofing contractor will tell you that is is a requirement by most building codes in North America to help protect homes from damage. As we always suggest, look for the best roofing company in your area to ensure your roofing work is done properly. Not all work is created equal.

As we stated above the main key purpose of installing drip edge is to direct water away from the fascia. Water droplets stick to one another and to the surfaces they are on, it is designed to work with gravity allowing water to be forced into the gutters. Even if a home has no gutters, water will still be forced away and not collected down the fascia or soffit cavity. Without it water would stick to the shingles, working its way underneath and causing leaks.

Wind driven rain is a serious condition in which the wind forcefully pushes water all around the roof of a home. Each layer of the roofing system is designed to keep the moisture from harming the roof’s deck, which include the shingles, underlayment’s, and ice & water. Strong winds can easily push water upwards and the drip edge must compete to keep the water out. There should be about 2-4 inches of lower flange hanging off the edge of the roof to combat wind driven rain so the roof does not become compromised.

What To Do When You Experience Wind Driven Rain Roof Leak – Roofing Contractor Sullivan IL – Central Roofing LLC

What type of materials are used?

Usually it is made from numerous types of materials such as plastics and metals, the metals must be corrosion resistant or galvanized.

Copper: Many people choose copper because of its aesthetics, it has a beautiful golden color that makes the roof pop.

Deciding on the Right Roofing - Modernize

Aluminum is a very common material used. Although it is not as strong as steel aluminum does not corrode and it is often made in many colors that match many homes.

Galvanized steel is another common material used. Galvanized steel is designed to work wither water and prevent rusting. The preferable type of steel is 24 gauge so it can withstand strong winds.

Plastic, vinyl and fiberglass can also be used but these are harder to find in some areas and are not the best suited.

Drip edge comes in three basic profiles, each profile can be called more than one name so it can be a bit confusing. The C type is in the classic L shape. This type of profile is bent in a 90 degree angle with a lower flange. Type D profile is in the shape of a T, this has a lower flange on the bottom. This type is often times called D-metal or the T style. F type is an extended version with a longer edge, this is used when installing a new over existing shingles and on the rake edges. This type is often called F style or the gutter apron.

The standard sizing of drip is sold in 10.5 foot lengths and also 8ft or sometimes smaller. The overhang length ranges from 2-5 inches, you may find other sizing in your local materials store, but smaller sizing is intended for windows and not a roof.

What color should roof it be?

If your homes trim and fascia are white your local roofing contractor will most likely recommend that the best choice is white so your home is seamless. If you have for instance gray shutters on your home and other pops of gray, then choosing a gray might look nice tying it all together. Choosing a color or any building material is personally preference.

Can you install it on existing roof?

It is most often replaced when a new roof is installed, but it is possible to replace the drip edge at any time. We would not recommend a local roofing contractor who suggests leaving the old drip edge. It is best to replace the it on an existing roof in the warmer months, shingles can become brittle in the cold and break.

Do you need to replace it when replacing the roof?

No you do not have to replace it but you should, the old drip edge is most likely “old” looking and dirty from being outside for so long. If you are making the effort to replace you roof, you should replace everything so the entire roofing system looks nice. Leaving old materials to save a few bucks isn’t worth loosing on the appearance. If you want your roof to last as long as possible, everything should be replaced when doing a re-roof.

My roof should have a drip edge or overhanging shingles right? It's like this all around the house. Luckily I rent. : Roofing

How to install:

It is installed different on the eaves and rakes, once the roof deck is prepared the drip edge will be installed before the underlayment. Always consult with your local roofing company before doing any DIY work. Your roof is the most important part of your home, look for the best roofing company in your area to be sure the job is done correctly.

Step one: If you are using a type C, you can install a furring strip which will aide in its performance. A furring edge is a strip of wood that is installed on the vertical surfaces of the house under the roofs edge. When this is installed it keeps the flower flange away from the homes siding to direct water away from the home.

Step two: First install drip edges on the eaves and placing the it down, so that the water will go into the gutters. The flange will point down and away from the roof.

Step three: Using roofing nails, nail every 12 inches, never allowing more than 12 inches without a nail. When placing it piece down, it should never over the first by an inch.

Finding Roof Leaks

October 10, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Leaking roofs can become a challenge for many homeowners. It happens in the most inconvenient times and they can lead to significant damage to the interior of your home. The effects of leakage can linger long after the repair has been made in the form of mold growth on the interior surfaces of your home. Sometimes trying to figure out the source of the roof leak can be much more challenging. Mainly for the reason that the source of the leak on the outside of the home rarely matches the leak that appears on the inside of the home. Therefore, leading to frustration for the homeowner who is attempting to repair it. Locating the source of a roof leak is definitely not an exact science. It’s more of a process of elimination since a roof leak can happen for many different reasons and there is not always a direct result of one specific problem associated with your roof.

Identifying Roofing System Leaks

When there are signs of water damage or dripping water coming from the ceiling that is directly below an attic space or directly below the roof surface itself, the true cause is most likely a hole or some type of damage in the shingles or other roofing material that makes up the roofing system. When there is active water dripping, it might come out brown or dirty when it’s coming from your roof. This is happening because the water that is making its way into your home is picking up dirt and impurities on the way. During the winter season, if your ceiling is leaking or seems damaged it could be the presence of ice buildup along the eaves of your house. This means that more than likely, you have ice dams that are causing the water to back up under the shingles and down onto the ceiling. Ice dams mainly appear on the edges of the roof so the leaking would often be near the edge of the room or even on the surface of the walls, since the water may be dripping directly down into the walls.

Causes of Roof Leaks

As stated before, leaking roofs can happen out of nowhere and they can become extremely frustrating. They can happen on a newly installed roof or an aged one. Roofing materials such as shingles get old and worn. The change in temperatures can cause an aging roofing system to turn brittle and eventually crack. During the summer weather, the harsh rays from direct sunlight can melt the tar that holds the composition of the shingles together within a number of years.

Brick chimneys may seem indestructible, however, what binds the bricks together is a working mixture of water, sand, and cement. When exposed to natural weathering it can gradually be destroyed and crumble over time. Therefore, you should check the mud cap on top of the chimney for any deterioration. If you have a chimney, flashing is one of the most common issues on a roof. Flashing is thin strips of metal that are installed at a danger point for leaks around a roof. Chimneys are bent at a 90-degree angle in order to attach to both the roofing material and the brick of a chimney. When it comes to flashing it needs to be properly sealed to protect against water intrusion. It also needs to remain nailed in place because the metal can rust and crack.

Clogged gutters are another cause of leaking roofs. The reason being that gutters are meant to prevent any water from building up in your roof by leading the water into the downspout and out away from your home. Therefore, when your gutters are clogged it becomes a problem. Especially if it’s left untreated for a long time. When the gutter is left filled with water it starts to cause the gutter and metal sides of the roof to rust, making it weaker as each day passes and making the gutter more prone to tearing a hole in the entire roof. The wooden part of your roof starts to develop mold, fungus or eventually it would start to rot because the roof was left soaking in water. When that happens in a matter of time the underlying material and ceiling end up affected and bringing leakage. Water more than likely would seep into the insides of your home.

Attic condensation can cause roof leaks as well, especially during the winter. Attic condensation is uncommon, however, some people may mistake ice dams for attic condensation during the winter. Homeowners might call their local roofing company and have the ice dams removed and yet still have continuous leakage. In that case, the issue would most likely be attic condensation. The problem would stem from water vapor from inside your home, making its way into your attic. When that warm vapor cools, the moisture starts to combine into big, damaging droplets all over the wooden surfaces in your attic. When that happens it eventually causes enough condensation that causes visible leaks and other problems.

Finding Roof Leaks

Leaking roofs are caused by numerous things and trying to find where the leaks are coming from can be an easy situation, but it can also be one of the most difficult things to find. Going up to the roof is one of the first things to do in order to track down the cause of the issue. When looking, be sure to look for any roof penetration. The reason is that items that penetrate the roof are the most common cause of leaks. It’s pretty rare to have any leaks from uninterrupted shingles, even with older roofs. Penetrations can occur from roof vents, chimneys, or anything else that projects through the roof. If you have an attic, the easiest way to find a leak is to go up with a flashlight and look for the evidence. There definitely would be water stains, black marks, or mold. However, if there is an issue with getting into the attic your best bet is to go up the roof and examine the issue. Sometimes there are leaks that are difficult to find, however, you can find it by first having someone help with a garden hose on the roof. Start by soaking the area above where the leak appears in the house. However, if the water doesn’t seem to reveal with that method, start removing shingles in the suspected area. Doing that would provide evidence of the leak and therefore you would be able to track it right to the source. You would be able to see some discolored felt paper or water stain or even rotted wood directly below and around a leaky roof.

If you have an attic and you’re looking for leaks you can use a flashlight and point it toward the underside of the roof. The light would reflect when hitting the water, making it much easier for you to see any water. The flashlight would also help you see any punctures or holes in the roof.

Finding Flat Roof Leaks

Compared to all other leaking roofs, finding the source of a leak on a flat roof can be quite challenging. Water travels in a downward motion which helps provide some clues to where you can locate a sloped roof leak, however, with flat roofing the water can travel in any direction. In order to determine exactly where the leak is located, getting up on the roof to examine it in dry weather is your best bet. You can inspect the flat roofing surface for any signs of a leak such as a low spot surrounded by a dirt-stained ring which is from a pooling of water. This is what is known as a dry puddle. These are very very common on flat roofs. Once you find a dry puddle you will often be able to find the leak, right there in the center.

Another common cause of flat leaking roofs is flashing which is the same for any other roof. Flashing is thin pieces of sheet metal, or sometimes a different material, that is used on steep angular joins on raised or protruding areas of the roof, like chimneys. It is used to help seal, waterproof and prevent any water from entering the premises. Flashing can peel and crack as well as get holes. Therefore, that is something that should be checked in order to avoid any leakage. What can also happen is when we have periods of intense heat over the years, the top material can start to bubble up and develop a crack making it another potential source of a leak. In order to make sure the area that you suspect is the source of the leak, just like other leak tests, take a hose up to the roof and spray the area before returning inside to see if the water drips inside near the spot, or you can have a friend help you with this. If this is something that you feel that you wouldn’t want to do yourself, local flat roofing contractors are your best bet. Many commercial roof repair companies have well trained flat roofing specialists that know exactly how to get the job done very efficiently. Therefore, hiring local flat roofing contractors would be a lot more convenient than you and your friend doing it yourselves.

Roof Leak Repair

Some people would rather repair their own roofs when they have leakage. However, the safest way is to contact local roof repair companies. Roof repair companies have a specialist that would repair any damages. As well as for the fact that they are trained in roofing they would know the cause and be able to give you the right information and prevent any future leaks. However, if a roof repair company is not something you would want to go with, fixing it yourself would be the way to go. Roof leak repair is not an easy job, it requires some steps. That is why we recommend when it comes to a roof leak repair to go with a roofing company.

Remember that there could be more than one source of the leak which could be leading water into one low spot underneath the roofing material. Any other issues of repair that happens to be identified during your examination, whether it’s not resulting in a leak yet should be repaired sooner than later. Just so that any future problems can be avoided and become less of a hassle for you as a homeowner.

Roof Decking: Rotting & Corrosion

July 18, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Owning a home is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding responsibilities a person can have. You get the chance to establish a sanctuary for you and your family that provides the protection and comfort you desire. However, this can all be put at risk when you begin to notice issues with your roof such as a couple of wet spots on your ceiling. This may be your first home and may have never even looked at a roof’s foundation before let alone knowing where to begin. You go up to your attic to investigate, and come upon a distinct musty smell of mold. Signs would point to a roof leak, and one of the main causes usually would be roof rotting or roof corrosion if you own a metal roof. What do you do? You may not be an expert in roof contracting, but that is why certified experts like us at Infinite Roofing are here to help you get back to living with the protection and comfort you deserve.

What is Roof Decking?

When talking about roof rotting, we are talking about the roof decking or sheathing of the home. The roof decking plays a pivotal role in determining the safety and structural integrity of your roof.

Roof decking is the foundation of your roofing system. It is the base layer that connects the roof to the home. The roof deck is placed between the structural components, such as the trusses and joists, and the insulation/weatherproofing layers. When it comes to your roof rotting, you want to take all the steps necessary to ensure the health of your

Roof Decking Materials

Roof deck materials come as 4 x 8 sheets in a variety of different material options. The most common type of roof deck material is plywood, which comes as either OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or CDX (C to D Exposed). Other roof decking materials include steel, concrete, and cement. The main determinant of the type of material you should use is based on the amount of weight that the roof deck will need to carry, plus the weight of air conditioning equipment, rain and snow. For most residential projects the common choice of roof deck materials are OSB or CDX plywood. For commercial projects, steel, concrete, and cement are more commonly found in the roof deck. These materials are definitely interchangeable depending on your project requirements, however for now let us focus on three main materials; OSB, CDX, and steel.

OSB Plywood

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) was originated in the late 1970s as an extended use of waferboards. It separates itself from other wood-scrap materials because the long strips of wood are placed strategically instead of randomly, hence the name “oriented” because the wood strips are oriented strategically to improve the strength qualities from the waferboard. OSB Plywood is made from heat-cured adhesives and rectangular-shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers. Because OSB uses small wood strands for production, it is considerably less expensive than standard plywood. When produced in large, continuous sheets, the OSB is a sold-panel of consistent quality with a few voids or gaps. OSB Plywood is more susceptible to absorbing moisture and swelling up than CDX, due to the release of compaction stress in OSB created during the pressing of wood chips into the panels. Swollen OSB will remain permanent, to a degree, causing leaks, increasing decay, and creating uplift of whatever materials lie above.

CDX Plywood

CDX (Class C to D Exposed) Plywood is the lowest class of plywood and is often used in the construction industry or as a base to create other materials. Plywood is made from thin layers of wood that are peeled from a spinning log, called veneers, that are cross-laminated and glued together with a hot press. Throughout the thickness of the sheet, the grain of each layer is laid perpendicular to the adjacent layer. The final product is an odd number of layers so that the balance is maintained around the center. Since CDX is made from whole layers of logs as opposed to small strands, the plywood is much more consistent and has a less rough appearance than OSB. CDX is lighter than OSB, retains nails and screws better than OSB, and produces less swelling when exposed to water and will return to its normal thickness after drying. This feature alone is enough for roofing contractors to prefer using CDX Plywood over OSB for their roof sheathing.

Steel

Steel or Metal Roof Decks have been around since the 1930s/40s. The Steel Deck Institute (SDI) has been the biggest force in setting the standard when it comes to the design, manufacture, quality control and construction practices applied to cold-formed steel decking. The steel deck is roll-formed from structural quality sheet steel and is made to span over the roof joists or purlins to provide a flat surface to apply the weatherproof roofing. The variations in its thickness, shape, and depth can be used to meet the variety of loading requirements and spans. The steel deck’s versatility also allows for it to be used in more unusual configurations that may be sloped or curved. Steel decks are usually more costly than materials like plywood however, they provide increased longevity, durability, and a better strength-to-weight ratio backed by years of proven satisfaction in the roofing industry. Steel decks are more commonly used for flat roofing systems, which are typically used for commercial roofing projects.

How Can I Tell When My Roof Is Rotting/Corroding?

As a homeowner, you want to do anything that you can to keep your home safe from the elements of mother nature. Your first line of defense is your roof, so how can you tell when your front line is starting to deteriorate?

First things first, is it even safe for you to check your roof? We do not recommend grabbing a ladder and going on your roof to do an inspection. According to the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, last year there were about 500,000 ladder-related injuries due mainly to homeowners trying to clean out their gutters or perform their own roof inspections/repairs. Our team of certified roofing contractors have specific equipment and years of experience in doing roof inspections safely and thoroughly and will provide a free, no-obligation estimate for any repairs or replacements needed.

With that being said, there still are some telltale signs that you as the homeowner can check for yourself to see if an estimate would be needed.

Roof Rotting

Here is a list of signs that your roof deck may be damaged or rotting:

Shingles curling, cracking, or buckling
Missing shingles
Holes in the roof
Mold or mildew in the attic
Spongy feel when walking on the roof
Granular wear to shingles
Damage around chimneys, pipes, and other penetrations to the structure.
Wet spots on your ceiling
Sudden increase in electric bill

There are some DIY inspections that you as a homeowner can do to find the beginning signs of roof deck damage.

Attic Inspection: Carefully make your way up to your attic and check for any signs of rotting wood. Do you see any signs of staining or moisture on any of the plywood or insulation? Can you feel any dampness in the wood? Is there a musty mold smell lingering? Can you find any holes, possibly made by a new furry neighbor? Is your attic fan and ventilation system free of dust & debris and circulating the air properly?
Ground Check: You can take a trip outside and stand in front of your home to view your roof from the outside. Are there signs of curling or missing shingles? Can you notice any sagging or structural integrity issues with your roof?
Research Roof’s Age: Severe weather or a poor ventilation system can decrease the life expectancy of your roof. If your roof is more than 20 years old, it’s a good idea to reach out for a professional roof inspection.

Roof Deck Corrosion

Roof deck corrosion occurs when using steel for your roof deck construction and has been exposed to water either from a hole created from severe weather or poor roof or insulation installation causing gaps between the roofing and insulation and allowing for water exposure.

WARNING: We do not recommend walking on a damaged metal roof structure. Corroding metal roof decking can cause structural instability which can lead to the roof collapsing if too much weight is put on the structure, leading to injury. Please refrain from having work done on units on your roof if you suspect instability in your roofing structure.

Some visible signs include:

Visible rusting in roof deck
Pieces of roof deck missing or falling from structure
Wet or damp insulation
Holes/leaks in roof

If you believe that your metal roof decking may be damaged, immediately have a professional roofing contractor, e.g. Infinite Roofing, come do a thorough and safe inspection of the roof.

So What Do I Do? Repair or Replace?

Rotted or corroded roof decks, whether made of plywood, steel or any other material, cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Contact your local certified roofing contractors and set up an appointment to have the damaged roof deck to be replaced.

Our professional roofing contractors here at Infinite Roofing would replace the rotted roof decking, along with the top of the line GAF and Versico accessory products to help prevent further roof deck rotting or corroding such as:

Lifetime Roofing Shingles
Proper Attic Ventilation
Proper Roof Deck Protection
Ice & Water Barriers
Starter Strip Shingles
Ridge Cap Shingles

Adding these top of the line products will increase the longevity and durability of your roof decking. When it comes to protecting the welfare of your home and family, you want to have the best certified roofing contractors and products out there. Here at Infinite Roofing, that is exactly what we intend to provide for you.

Is your roof leaking? Could the ridge vent be the problem?

June 21, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Do you have a roof leak and can’t figure out what the problem may be? Don’t assume that a faulty roof or the shingles may be the problem and that you may need a full roof replacement. Faulty ridge vents can contribute to the problem and can lead to moisture issues. Fixing a leak quickly is important because if not fixed it can cause more problems down the line.

What are ridge vents?

You may wonder what exactly is a ridge vent and where does it fall in the equation of a roof leaking?

Ridge vents are critical to the attics health, they are a part of the attics ventilation system and helps circulate the air. They also usher moisture (in winter and summer) and hot air (during the summer) that would otherwise lead to damage. It is a metal capping that allows hot air to escape from the attic, the ventilation allows the attic to stay dry, free from any moisture and also prevents it from damaging your insulation. When getting a roof installation a ridge vent will be the last thing that will be placed on the structure and for that reason, a ridge vent leak can occur. Many time the fasteners that are used for the ridge vent aren’t secured properly

Inspect the Attic

Go up to the attic during daylight. Keep the lights off and look up at the roof to see if there is any light coming through. Diffused light is normal, but a beam of light may be the cause of a leak. Then, use a flashlight to examine the ridge vent. Look for moisture or water stains. Water stains may be from an old leak.

Another good time to inspect the attic is when it is raining. Be sure to notice where the water is coming from, because it may be channeled from another area on the roof before dripping down into the attic.

Air Circulation Problems

If you don’t see any leaks, you may have a one-time problem with rain or snow being blown in by heavy winds. Another problem can be a lack of ventilation in the attic. If the air is not circulated, you may get a problem with condensation, which mimics a roof leak.

Most Albany roofing contractor recommends that a roof should be inspected at least ones a year to prevent a ridge vent problem from creating bigger trouble and more damage than it would if it was to be. A strong gust of wind can pop up the ridge vent cap and if not taken care of immediately as rain, snow and even ice dams can cause your roof to leak. The process if inspecting the roof can be done by the homeowner or a professional

Repairing leaking ridge vents

Avoiding problems with ridge vents leak is easy when you schedule an annual roof inspection. During the evaluation, the Albany roofing contractor will not only assess the condition of the ridge vents, but he will also identify issues with shingle wear, damaged flashing and more.

If you feel that crawling around on your roof is a risky and perhaps dangerous job; you are exactly right. There are professionals that will inspect your roof and look for a ridge vent leak for only a minimal cost. These professionals will inspect various other common problems that may occur, as well.

Let the professionals do their job and call Infinite Roofing for an inspection to make sure that there is no ridge vent problem with your roof!