Why Roof Inspections Matter

A roof inspection does more than just identify visible damage. It helps ensure the entire roofing system is performing properly. From detecting early signs of leaks and shingle wear to checking for ventilation or flashing issues, inspections are essential for maintaining your roof’s integrity and longevity. Neglecting your roof could lead to water intrusion, mold growth, and structural deterioration. By catching problems early, you can extend the lifespan of your roof and avoid unexpected repair bills.

How Often You Should Schedule Roof Inspections

In general, most experts recommend having your roof professionally inspected at least once a year. However, here are some factors that may require more frequent inspections.

• After severe weather: Heavy rain, hail, high winds, or snowstorms can cause damage that isn’t always visible from the ground. Scheduling an inspection after major weather events ensures any hidden issues are addressed quickly.
• Before and after seasonal changes: It’s a smart idea to schedule roof inspections in the spring and fall. These transitional seasons help prepare your roof for the months of extreme weather, whether it’s summer heat or winter snow.
• When buying or selling a home: A professional roof inspection gives buyers peace of mind and helps sellers identify and address potential problems before listing.
• If your roof is older: Roofs over 10–15 years old are more vulnerable to wear and tear, meaning inspections should happen more frequently to monitor their condition.

By establishing a regular inspection schedule, you can ensure your roof continues protecting your home year-round.

What A Professional Roof Inspection Includes

A professional roof inspection from Emmons is thorough and detailed, covering every key component of your roofing system. Our experts carefully examine shingles and flashing for cracks or curling, check gutters and downspouts for debris and drainage issues, inspect roof valleys and vents where leaks are most common, and look inside your attic for signs of moisture or poor ventilation. We also evaluate the roof decking and structure to ensure your home remains stable and protected. With Emmons, you can rest easy knowing your roof is in the hands of experienced professionals who understand how to identify and address problems before they become costly repairs.

Protect Your Home With Emmons Roofing Experts

Your roof works hard to keep your home safe. It’s important to give it the attention it deserves with regular inspections from the trusted professionals at Emmons. Our experienced local roofers provide comprehensive inspection services, detailed evaluations, and reliable repairs when needed. Whether you’re dealing with storm damage, leaks, or general wear and tear, we’ll make sure your roof stays strong and secure. Contact Emmons today to schedule your professional roof inspection, or if you’re still not sure how often you should inspect your roof.

The post How Often Should You Inspect Your Roof? appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

Start Inside The Home

The first step in learning how to find a leak in a metal roof is to look for signs inside your home. Water stains on ceilings or walls, peeling paint, mold growth, or musty odors are common indicators that water is seeping in. Keep in mind that water often travels along rafters or beams before dripping down, so the actual leak in your metal roof may be several feet away from where the damage appears inside.

Inspect The Roof’s Surface

Once you’ve identified possible problem areas inside, the next step is to check the condition of your roof. You can safely use binoculars from the ground for a visual inspection, but avoid climbing onto the roof yourself, as this can be dangerous and may even cause additional damage. For a closer look and an accurate assessment, it’s best to rely on a roofing professional like Emmons. On a metal roof, common leak sources include:

• Rust or corrosion: Over time, coatings can wear off, leaving areas vulnerable.
• Loose or missing fasteners: Screws or nails can back out, leaving gaps for water.
• Damaged or separated seams: The connections between panels can weaken, allowing water intrusion.
• Flashing issues: The metal sheets around chimneys, skylights, or vents are especially prone to leaks if they’re not sealed properly.

Check For Roof Penetrations

Any spot where your roof is cut or punctured for vents, pipes, or skylights is a potential leak location. Look for cracked sealant, gaps around flashing, or evidence of water staining around these areas. Because these penetrations often rely on flexible sealants that degrade over time, they are a leading cause of leaks in metal roofs.

Look After A Rainstorm

If the source of the leak is difficult to pinpoint, wait until after a steady rain and re-check the attic and roof. Sometimes, water actively dripping from rafters can help you track the leak directly back to its entry point on the roof surface.

When To Call The Professionals At Emmons

Finding a leak is only the first step, as fixing it is another challenge. While small repairs such as tightening screws or replacing sealant might seem straightforward, improper fixes can make the problem worse and compromise the integrity of your roof. If your metal roof is showing widespread corrosion, multiple leaks, or structural damage, repairs may not be enough. That’s when it’s time to consider a replacement.

At Emmons, our roofing experts specialize in metal roof replacement that not only stops roof leaks but also enhances the durability and curb appeal of your home. We use top-quality materials and proven installation methods to ensure your new roof is built to last.

Protect Your Home With A Metal Roof Replacement

A leaking metal roof can quickly escalate from a minor annoyance to a costly repair if left unchecked. By learning how to find a leak in a metal roof early, you can act before major damage occurs. Contact Emmons online today to schedule an inspection and learn more about our expert metal roof replacement services.

The post How To Find A Leak In A Metal Roof appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

Steps to Fix Your Leaking Roof

1. Identifying the Leak

The first step in fixing a leaking roof is identifying the source of the leak. Start by inspecting your attic or ceiling for water stains or signs of water intrusion. Trace the source of the leak back to the roof, looking for damaged or missing shingles, cracked flashing around chimneys or vents, or areas where water may be pooling.

2. Temporary Fixes

If you discover a leak, it’s crucial to address it as soon as possible to prevent further damage. While waiting for professional help, you can implement temporary fixes such as placing a tarp over the leaky area or applying roofing cement to seal small cracks or gaps temporarily. However, these are temporary solutions and should be followed up with permanent repairs by roofing experts.

3. Professional Roof Inspection

For a long-term solution to a leaking roof, it’s essential to hire professionals like Emmons for a thorough roof inspection. Roofing experts have the experience and expertise to identify hidden issues, assess the overall condition of your roof, and recommend the most effective repair or replacement options.

4. Roof Repair or Replacement

Based on the inspection findings, your roofing professionals will recommend whether roof repair or replacement is necessary. Roof repairs may involve replacing damaged shingles, fixing flashing, sealing leaks, or addressing ventilation issues. In cases where the roof is extensively damaged or nearing the end of its lifespan, a roof replacement may be the best course of action to ensure a durable and leak-free roof for years to come.

Why Trust Emmons?

Emmons is your trusted partner for all your roofing needs, offering expertise with years of experience in the roofing industry, the use of high-quality materials that are durable and weather-resistant, professional service from initial inspection to project completion, and guaranteed satisfaction with our work. Emmons stands behind all our home improvement services, ensuring that your roofing project is completed to your satisfaction and providing a leak-free and secure roof for your home.

Contact Emmons Today for All Your Roofing Needs

Don’t let a leaking roof compromise your home’s safety and comfort. Follow these steps to address how to fix a leaking roof effectively, and trust Emmons for professional roofing services that you can rely on. Contact us online today to schedule a roof inspection and take the first step towards a leak-free and secure roof for your home.

The post How to Fix a Leaking Roof appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

Should I Replace Missing Shingles?

When one or more shingles are missing, your roof is more susceptible to water damage. Water from the next rainstorm could damage the exposed wood or leak into your attic. You may have asked yourself, “Should I replace missing shingles?”, and the answer is always yes. However, it may be better to replace all of them at the same time. Here’s why.

Replacing Missing Shingles or Replacing Them All

Missing shingles can be a sign of a bigger problem with your roof. If your roof is in good shape, it shouldn’t be losing shingles. If you notice missing shingles, you should get a professional to assess your roof for underlying issues. Here are a few things to look out for if you notice a missing shingle.

Signs of Roofing Issues

Storms and old age can cause your roof to develop issues that compromise its integrity. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call a professional.

• Broken Shingles

Cracked and broken shingles reduce your roof’s ability to keep water out of your home. If you notice cracked shingles, you need to have them repaired as soon as possible.

• Wet, Soft Roofing

Moisture that gets trapped under shingles can seep into the wood and damage your roof. A soggy roof needs to be repaired quickly, and you should avoid walking on your roof if you have this issue.

• Debris and Animals in the Attic

If your attic is covered in leaves or harboring a critter, it means you have a hole in your roof that needs to be repaired. This is a serious problem that needs immediate attention.

Contact Emmons Today for Roof Repair Services

Missing shingles need to be replaced immediately so your roof can work properly. However, missing shingles can mean there is something wrong with your roof. If you notice broken shingles, a soggy roof, or debris in your attic, you should have a roofing expert come out as soon as possible. It’s best to address issues early on before they cause further damage. Residents of New Jersey and Pennsylvania can rely on the experts at Emmons for roofing repair and replacement needs. Contact us today to receive a free quote.

The post How Do I Know When I Should Replace Missing Shingles? appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

Most Common Roof Problems

• Repair or Replacement — The roof may have localized damage such as a few missing shingles that can easily be replaced, or it may have widespread damage or have exceeded its life expectancy. In this case the whole roof may need to be replaced.
• Structural Problems — The roof may appear to sag in some areas because of insufficient strength or deterioration of framing or sheathing.
• Ice Damming — There may be damage to the roofing material and structure due to build-up of ice during the winter.
• Flashing — Leaks may occur at the flashing.
• Moisture Problems — Excess moisture in the attic area can lead to deterioration of the roof structure.
• Roofing Material — The roofing material may fail due to poor installation or may not be the proper type for the specific application.

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material that we use at Emmons Roofing & Siding. It is composed of asphalt-impregnated paper with mineral granules coating the exposed surface. Numerous colors and styles are available to enhance the design of your home. Asphalt shingles are easy to install, require little maintenance and are easy to repair. Wind sealed shingles have an added dab of roofing cement under the bottom edge of each shingle. After these are installed and the roof is heated by the sun, the cement melts and sticks to the shingle below, increasing their effectiveness in high wind areas or on shallow sloped roofs.

Contact Emmons Roofing & Siding, the roofing experts in South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania for help with your roof problems today.

The post Possible Roof Problems appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

Having both a power vent and ridge vent installed on your roof can short circuit the attic ventilation system. When the power vent goes on, it can actually pull air from the ridge vent, which can cause an imbalance of airflow along the underside of the roof deck. When the power vent goes off, it acts like a roof louver (an opening on the roof without a motor. In this case, the ridge vent pulls its intake air from the power fan which can lead to “weather infiltration” and poor ventilation along the underside of the roof deck.

In most homes, it is typically best to have only the ridge vent and remove the fan, as described above, they don’t work well together.

If you have a hip roof with very little ridge, a power fan with both a thermostat and humidistat (for both temperature and humidity) should be installed, with no ridge vent.

With any attic ventilation system, the attic can be 20 degrees hotter than outside. Attic ventilation should protect the roof sheathing, insulation, and shingles from temperature and moisture extremes. However, many variables can affect the attic temperature, such as shingle color (black shingles absorb more heat and can make the attic hotter than white shingles). Other factors are the geographical location, sun intensity, orientation of the primary roof plane, and amount of total ventilation.

If you feel your home is warmer than it should be in the summer, Emmons Roofing & Siding can install a roof ventilation system – contact us today.

The post Can I Have Both a Power Fan and a Ridge Vent System on My Roof? appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

Here are some questions to ask the home inspector after he or she “walks the roof”:

How many layers of shingles are on the roof?

There may be a second layer (or more) of shingles under your roof that you cannot see. Most manufacturers will not warranty a second layer. And there may be bad plywood or flashing systems underneath the layers which can cause leaks. When replacing a roof, a roof with two or more layers will generally increase the price as there is more waste.

Are there any soft spots?

Soft spots in the roof are caused by plywood that is rotting. Rotting plywood is caused when too much moisture reaches it over a period of time. In simple terms, wet plywood means the roof is leaking.

How are the flashing systems?

Flashing is metal that is bent and installed in vulnerable areas to help water travel away from those areas. If the flashing is deteriorating or is installed incorrectly, the roof will leak.

How are the pipe collars?

There are pipes coming out of your roof that are used to ventilate gases in your home. Around the bottom of the pipes there are rubber boots that prevent water from getting into the home. With age these pipes can lose their seal and cause leaks and damage to your home. Repairing pipe collars is a simple fix.

What type of sheathing is there?

When looking from the attic, you can see the sheathing. This is the base of the roof. Most roofs have plywood. Some older homes may have cedar shake. The cedar shake must be removed. Cedar shake does not have any nailable surface, so putting shingles over it will cause future issues. Replacing a cedar shake roof is much more expensive than replacing a roof with plywood. Having this information upfront will prevent sticker shock when it comes time to replace the roof.

Are the shingles installed correctly?

Dimensional shingles have become more popular in the past 15 years. Before this, a majority of the roofs were done with three-tab shingles. When the most popular choice of shingles changed from three-tab to dimensional, some roofers did not realize that the proper installation procedure also changed. The improperly installed shingles will cause leaks around the 10-15 year mark. This is fairly common and is difficult to spot.

If your home inspector does not walk the roof or has any trouble at all answering these questions, contact a licensed roofer and ask for a roof inspection.

The post What to Ask After a Roof Inspection appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

The Severity of the Roof Damage

First of all, there must be proof that your roof has experienced roof damage, and there are several ways to prove this. The first is by hiring a roofing contractor to inspect the roof. If the contractor sees signs of storm damage, he or she will tell you to contact your insurance company. The other method is by simply calling your insurance company to ask for an adjuster to examine your roof. An adjuster will need to inspect the roof either way, but it is often better to hire your own roofing company to get a second opinion. An experienced, reputable roofing contractor, however (like Emmons Roofing & Siding) can help you with the insurance claim process and act as a liaison with your insurance company.

If they find enough signs of roof damage, the adjuster will determine whether to repair the roof damage or replace the roof. This decision will depend on how much roof damage has occurred and the age of the roof. One this is determined, the adjuster will calculate how much it will cost to make the repairs or replacement and will let you know how much your insurance will cover.

The Amount You Will Have to Pay

There are two main factors that will determine how much money you will have to pay for the repairs your roof needs. The first is your deductible. You will have to pay your deductible no matter what, and this must be paid before the insurance company cuts a check.

The second factor that will affect the amount you must pay is the method your insurance company uses to calculate the amount they cover. The two methods are actual cash value and replacement cost. If your policy uses the replacement cost method, the insurance company will pay for the entire bill for the repairs after you pay the deductible. If they use the actual cash value method, they will account for the depreciation of your roof first and will compensate you for the damages to the actual value of your roof. The insurance company will pay out more if the replacement cost method is used instead of actual cash value.

If you are not sure if your roof has damage or whether or not your insurance company will pay for some of the costs to repair it, contact a qualified roofing company and ask them to inspect your home’s roof. Read our blog on How to File an Insurance Claim for Hail Damage for more details.

The post How to File an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

Uric Acid in Bird Droppings Damages Roofing

Birds don’t produce urine. Instead, they produce uric acid from the excretion of nitrogenous waste. This is the white paste-like goo that you see in splotches on your vehicles. Uric acid can eat away at your asphalt shingles and other roofing materials. Damage to the asphalt shingles can cause them to be more susceptible to leaks. Also, some birds, like seagulls, tend to congregate in certain areas, particularly pigeons, which could mean that certain areas of your roof are covered with more bird poop than others. This, of course, can be detrimental to your roofing and, therefore, to the structure of your home.

Solution: Wash away the bird droppings with a powerful garden hose. Avoid using a power washer as too forceful of a stream of water can further damage asphalt shingles. Hire a roofing contractor to inspect the areas of concern on your roofing. Repair damaged shingles as necessary. Attach bird deterrents to your roofing, such as spikes or owl decoys to keep birds such as seagulls away.

Seeds in Bird Droppings Clog Gutters

The brown solid substance in bird droppings is poo, which can contain seeds that the birds had ingested. If the seeds are still intact when they are in bird poop, they can sprout and grow, especially when they reach organic material, such as leaves, or water in your gutters after they wash away from the roofing when it rains. As the seeds sprout and grow inside your gutters, they can cause clogs to form. Clogged gutters can cause water to accumulate and back up into your roofing.

If the temperatures then drop below freezing, this water freezes and can create an ice dam. Ice can get underneath the shingles and cause them to lift up, which can allow more water to infiltrate through the roofing materials. After some time, this can lead to water leaks on the ceilings in your home as the water makes it way down through the roofing structures. You may also notice brown streaks on your siding, which is from water damage of the wood structures in your roofing.

Solution: Regularly inspect your gutters for clogs and remove clogs when they are found. Contact a roofing contractor to repair or replace roof shingles and underlayment materials that have been damaged by ice dams. For severe problems that include brown streaks on your siding, hire a structural engineer to determine the extent of water damage to your roofing structure and replace or repair as necessary.

Health Risks of Organisms in Bird Poop

Bird poop contains fungus that can pose health risks to you, your family, and your pets. Fungus in bird droppings can be carried in the air and inhaled into your lungs, which can cause histoplasmosis or cryptococcosis, depending on the type of fungus in the bird droppings. If birds are dropping their excrement onto your exterior HVAC unit, into or near the vents in your attic, or onto roofing that is extensively damaged, there’s a risk that the fungus can get into the living quarters of your home.

Solution: Keep your HVAC unit and attic vents free of bird droppings. Wear a mask when rinsing bird poop, especially if you do so while on the roof or on a ladder. If you do not feel comfortable in cleaning the bird droppings from your roof or gutters yourself, hire a roofing contractor to do it for you.

Contact Emmons Roofing & Siding today to hear how we can help.

The post Did You Know Bird Droppings Can Damage Your Roof? appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.

But My Roof Isn’t That Old!

Most solar systems last about 25-30 years. If you have roof shingles that are meant to last 25 years, and they were installed 10 years ago, this can be a problem. If your roof meets or exceeds its life expectancy while you have solar panels installed, you will need to contact your solar panel installer to have them removed while the roof is replaced. But if you originally used a solar panel contractor that is located out of state or is extremely busy, you could be waiting weeks or even months to have your solar panels removed!

When signing up for a solar roof system, always be sure to ask your solar panel contractor what the charge would be to remove and reinstall your panels in case of an issue with your roof. Double-check that this is written clearly in your contract. This is an issue most homeowners are not anticipating, and are sometimes blindsided when solar companies charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Solar panels are a smart way to save money on energy costs. The best way to protect yourself from future costs and inconvenience is to make sure you start with a good foundation; that is, a good, solid roof that is not nearing the end of its life expectancy. Contact the roofing experts at Emmons for an inspection if you’re thinking of installing solar panels on your roof.

The post You’re Ready to Go Solar! But is Your Roof? appeared first on Emmons Roofing & Siding.