Even if you hire a professional roofer to fix a problem, you can still save money just by knowing what to look for and identifying the problem in the first place. Here, in no particular order, are 5 of the most common roofing problems that are likely to require repair or replacement of the damaged parts.

1 – Buckling

A part of the roof that is buckling will look like something is underneath that part and pushing the roofing shingles up. There are a number of possible reasons for buckling. It could be because of improper installation of the felt, or tar paper. If it is not stretched when applied to the roof decking, it can buckle or rise and push the shingles up out of place.

Your roof decking can also move if it has not been installed properly. These are plywood boards nailed to the framing. If spacers are not used in between the boards, they can expand and buckle, again pushing the shingles up to cause buckling.

Poor roof ventilation can also cause buckling if water moisture builds up in the attic. The resulting condensation can cause damage to the roof decking or the framing that the decking is attached to, and cause external buckling of the shingles. Wrinkled underlayment, or new shingles installed over old shingles, can also cause buckling.

2 – Cupping and curling

Cupping and curling of asphalt shingles is a sign of stress to the shingles. It also means that the shingles should be replaced. The visible appearance of the shingles in this condition is when they have a concave center, instead of being flat, and when the edges are curled. The shingles are in a fragile state at this stage, and you should not walk over the roof, unless you are actually repairing the damage.

Pressure applied to asphalt titles showing signs of cupping and curling will likely result in them cracking. This could cause roof leaks. The shingles with cupping and curling may last for some time, but they are also close to the end of their useful life and should be replaced as soon as possible.

3 – Overdriven fasteners

This is a roofing term that refers to shingle fasteners that are driven in too hard. It is common for roofers to use pneumatic nail guns, and if the pressure is set too high, the nail thumps into the tile with far too much force, driving it in too far. When this happens, the mat of the shingle is usually broken. The manufacturers warranty is then breached, and the shingle will not do its job properly.

One of the common problems with overdriven fasteners is through wind damage. Severe wind uplift can tear a tile off the roof, and when one goes, others will soon follow. The result is a severely damaged roof and considerable expense to you.

4 – Underdriven fasteners

This is the opposite problem to overdriven. An underdriven nail protrudes up above the level of the tile and can cause damage as the tile is not properly secured. It will also look bad from the ground, as the underdriven nail will have the effect of pushing up the tile above it. Wind uplift can cause a lot of damage with underdriven fasteners.

5 – Ice dam

An ice dam sounds ominous, and it is! This happens when a ridge of ice builds up on the edge of your roof, preventing the water from melted snow to run off. The water lying on the tiles can then seep into the roof and cause damage to the roof, or even to the walls and ceilings in rooms below.

Ice dams occur because the heat from inside the house will escape through the roof, melting the snow to water. However, there is little heat escaping to the edge of the roof where the ice has formed, so the accumulation of water remains intact, causing damage to the roofing system.