All roofing repair should be conducted by roofing professionals, not just because they’re dangerous, but also because untrained individuals risk causing more damage or even voiding their roofing warranty. But it doesn’t mean you can’t inspect your roof and alert your roofing contractor before the problem gets worse. Here are some common roofing problems that need repairs ASAP.

1. Shiners — Shiners are roofing nails that have over-penetrated the roof deck, likely because the roof installer may have used excessively long roofing nails. They’re called shiners because in colder climates, frost covers the nails during winter, which shines when seen from indoors. While it doesn’t snow as much, shiners could nevertheless allow moisture into the roof.

2. Insufficient Roof Ventilation — Roofing systems require proper ventilation. Hot and moist air rises, and it tends to accumulate at the attic area. Therefore, the attic needs to have sufficient ventilation at the ridges. If the attic feels hotter and more humid than the outdoors, and if you don’t feel any airflow coming through the soffit vents, then your attic has ventilation problems. New ridges can be added to an existing roof, but if you have a large roof, consider having solar-powered exhaust fans installed.

3. Improperly-Installed Sealant — One of the most common mistakes committed by inexperienced roof installers is using too much sealant on the flashing, which results in cracks that later lead to leaks. You will need a capable roofing contractor who knows what they’re doing to scrape the dried and cracked sealant, apply fresh sealant correctly and reinstall the flashing.

4. Missing Drip Edge — The drip edge is flashing on the roof edge that prevents rainwater from seeping under the first row of shingles. It has an inverted L-shaped profile and is installed between the starter row and the roofing underlayment. Adding a row of drip edge on an existing roof requires a skilled roofer because the roof edge has to be impenetrable. A small gap can make the roof susceptible to wind damage and water intrusion during a storm.

Thompson Roofing and Construction is your leading provider of roof repair, installation and maintenance services. Give us a call at (256) 251-5566, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Huntsville, AL, and surrounding areas.