Mikku and Sons Roofing logo, featuring a roof illustration on a transparent background 623-465-1068

At first, you might reasonably assume your roof is stable enough to support your weight as you walk around to make inspections, hang holiday lights, or clear off debris. The reality is, as strong as your roof may seem, given the protection, it offers to your home, not all roofing is created equally. It’s best to stay off of the roof and call Mikku & Sons for help. In this guide, we hope to explain the risks that go along with walking on your roof.

Damage Potential 

Professional roofing experts are trained to evaluate roofing materials, structural integrity, and hazardous conditions, while the average homeowner is not. Roofs are installed and built to precise specifications – simply stepping on the wrong area could result in an expensive repair. Your insurance company might even deny claims if your policy requires you to use only licensed professionals!

Most Arizona homes have clay tile roofs because of their strength and heat resistance. Tile is a long-lasting material, but the downside is that they can crack and chip easily, even by just walking on them. There are various types of shingled roofs in the Valley, but they also need to be treated with care. You may not see any weakness, but a professional roofer knows the signs of deterioration, knows building codes change, and has the experience, tools, and training to avoid causing damage while on the roof. Needlessly walking around can cause damage requiring extensive repairs, so we recommend staying off of it.

Prioritize Safety

Two-story homes are commonly found in Arizona, and roofs measure at an average of 20 feet off the ground – keep this in mind next time you are considering climbing atop your roof. Without the knowledge of where weak points may be, the dangers of slopes, and the proper safety equipment, there’s a serious risk of falling! We want you to be safe.

Safe Alternatives

We do not recommend you climb atop your roof if you’re looking for damage or leaks. Instead, we suggest:

If you find yourself facing damaged roof tiles, shingles that are cracked, leaking spots in your roof, or any other roof problem, then be sure to get a professional to inspect your home today. This is something Mikku & Sons has proudly offered homeowners across the Valley for over twenty years!

When it comes to leaks in your home, your gut reaction may be to simply put a stop to the leak. However, what is often overlooked is the process of identifying and permanently repairing the leak at the source. While many leaks are caused by roof damage, there are still other common causes of leaks that homeowners should consider.

Trees and Foliage

Shade trees are a premium landscaping feature here in the desert. You could have the most beautiful and full trees in your yard, but if they are not properly trimmed and distanced from your roof, you may experience damage from falling branches. Whether it may be from heavy winds in a storm that snap a tree limb, to being completely uprooted and knocked over, trees are certainly something you want to avoid damaging your home.

Fireplaces

Chimneys and fireplaces are constructed in a way that may allow small leaks to develop inside or as materials age over time. Things to check for include any sealing and flashing around your chimney as well as the chimney cap. When it rains, watch for water drops from inside the chimney, moisture where it shouldn’t be, odors, and anything else out of the ordinary.

Stucco

Your siding and stucco is prone to cracking under certain conditions; whether the material was improperly installed, is worn out and rotted, or affected by extreme weather conditions. Sealing these cracks and getting repairs made is essential to preventing further leaks.

Improper Draining on Roof

Sometimes roofs begin to deteriorate and will have issues draining. Should you notice water ponding on your roof, especially after any storms have stopped, then it may be a sign to call in an experienced contractor to take a look. Water damage on roofs is a major safety concern, as it can affect everything from your tiles or shingles having a reduced lifespan, to causing damage to the structural integrity of your home!

It’s important to repair leaks right away, and it’s even more important to stop them at the source. For help identifying leaks when you find moisture or water damage inside and around your home where it shouldn’t be, give Mikku & Sons a call today. We offer free, no-obligation roof inspections and outstanding roofing repair or replacement. If your roof is in great condition, we’ll refer you to the right place to get your home back in good repair.

A Bucket Won’t Cut It

People tend to put off fixing small roof leaks because they have a tight budget. Or perhaps it’s the thought that it can be managed with a strategically placed bucket.  Either way, delaying a repair by a roof repair contractor will likely lead to a variety of additional issues, resulting in much higher repair costs.

Regardless of the size of a roof leak, significant damage and other problems can result over time. Move quickly to fix a leak with a professional roof repair contractor.  By doing so, you’ll get repairs done when they are at their least expensive point.  You’ll also be avoiding other issues that can be costly as well as hazardous.

Here Are Some Results From Procrastinating Fixing Small Roof Leaks

Damage to Paint and Drywall Materials

The nature of roof leaks is that they will grow over time, saturating larger areas with increasing amounts of water. Delaying a repair by your roof repair contractor can start bubbling paint and/or staining ceilings and walls if the water is carrying roofing materials such as tar with it. Repeated saturation also starts breaking down drywall materials, turning them from a solid structure to a powdery substance.

Deterioration of Insulation Materials

Insulation materials lose their effectiveness when damp, with an immediate result being an increase of demand on heating/cooling systems and higher energy bills. Additional costs can be incurred if cold and wet conditions keep insulation from drying out, creating the ideal environment for mildew. The combination of compromised insulation and mildew growth will require replacement of the affected materials.• Electrical issues – Water leaking down the walls can potentially lead to electrical shock and/or short out electrical circuits.

Structural Deterioration

In addition to breaking down drywall, framing and beams that are constantly exposed to moisture over the long term can start rotting as well, with the result being a steady decline in structural support. Once this process of degradation starts, it is difficult to stop and will ultimately necessitate the re-building of the home’s structural support system.

The Growth of Black Mold

The damp environment created by a roof leak not addressed by a roof repair contractor can result in the rapid build-up of mold that releases mycotoxins in high enough quantities to cause a variety of respiratory ailments including asthma, bronchitis, and other allergic reactions. These types of mold spores are particularly dangerous to people with weak respiratory and immune systems.

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