Roofing FAQs

How to Find a Roof Leak

Inspect Your Attic for Signs of Leaks or Wet Spots

Your attic will be a good area to check for signs of a leak. Using a flashlight look for dampness or wet spots. Checking on a rainy day is the best time to see where there might be water penetration. It should be easy to find wet spots or mold because of the rain.

Follow these wet spots to the highest point in the attic, which is more than likely the source of the leak. Note or mark this area for further inspection.

Typical areas of water penetration are pipe gaskets, seals around vents, clogged gutters, dormers, and loose shingles.

Use caution when getting on top of your roof. A damaged or old roof is or could be an unstable area which can lead to a fall. Additionally, if you are not used to walking on a roof, a fall is more likely to occur.

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The Cons of 3-Tab Shingles

3-tab roof shingles are a type of lightweight asphalt shingle roofing material commonly used in American residential homes. Known for their ease of installation, adequate durability, and standard affordability, they remain a popular choice with many homeowners.

However, 3-tab shingles tend to have less overall durability when compared to their architectural shingle counterparts. When properly maintained, architectural shingle roofs can last anywhere from 18 to 30 years. Depending on the local climate, a standard 3-tab shingle roof usually lasts between 7 to 10 years. Even in a mild climate, they typically never last longer than a maximum of 15 years.

Additionally, 3-tab shingles typically consist of thin frames, making them less resistant to high winds, uplifts, and other types of wind damage. 3-tab shingle roofs typically do not last long in neighborhoods with winds more intense than 60 to 70 mph.

The Cons of 3-Tab Shingles

Roofing Terminology

Blisters

Bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing. This is commonly due to a lack of ventilation.

Closed Valley

When roofing materials cover the entire valley.

Cricket

A small peaked saddle constructed on the top of the basic roof and behind the chimney.

Deck/sheathing

The surface, usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), to which roofing materials are applied.

Drip Edge

An L-shaped strip (usually metal) installed along roof edges to allow water run off to drip clear of the deck, eaves and siding.

Eave

The horizontal lower edge of a sloped roof.

Fascia

A flat board, band or face located at a cornice’s outer edge.

Flashing

Metal material used to waterproof areas around areas such as chimneys, vent pipes, and valleys.

Hips & Valleys

Hip and valley roof rafters are load bearing roof members that run at an angle – (usually 45 degrees) to the support walls and run at a pitch. The difference between the two is a hip is at the top of the rafters that hang on it, and a valley is at the bottom of the rafters that hang on it.

Modified Bitumen

Roller roofing membrane with a polymer modified asphalt. The roll will generally have a fiberglass or polyester mat for reinforcement.

Open Valley

Valley in which metal is used and roofing material does not cover entire valley area as in a Closed Valley.

Rafters

The supporting framing to which a roof deck is attached.

Rake

The inclined edge of a roof over a wall.

Ridge

The top edge of two intersecting sloping roof surfaces.

Roof Penetrations

Features that pass through the surface of the roof, such as chimneys, vents, or pipes.

Slope

Measured by rise in inches for each 12 inches of horizontal run: A roof with a 4-in-12 slope rises 4 inches for every foot of horizontal distance.

Soffit

The finished underside of an eave.

Soffit Vent

An under-eve opening needed for intake of outside air. These are not part of a typical roofing job, but are needed for good attic ventilation.

Square

A unit of roof measurement covering 100 square feet.

Step Flashing

Flashing along a roof slope against a wall or chimney using succeeding courses of flashing material placed in conjunction with layers or courses of roofing materials.

Underlayments

Typically, a synthetic felt applied over the roof deck and under the roofing material. There are a wide range of both quality and price in these underlayments.

Valley

The intersection of two roof slopes.