Your roof is key to protecting you, your family, and all your great stuff from the elements. A damaged roof will let you down in a number of ways, and can be a huge expense. So, let’s take a look at what causes wear-and-tear to your roof, and how you can tell if your roof is damaged. We can even recommend a professional to contact for help!
Five common causes of roof damage
Weather. In southwest Missouri, this is a biggy. Wind, intense heat and hail can do a number on your roof.
a. Wind: Shingles loosen, curl or fall off in heavy wind, and that exposes the roof deck underneath to water damage. Eventually that water will seep into your home.
b. Intense Summer Heat: Most roofing materials expand and contract with changes in temperature, causing shingles to crumble, break and fall off. That, again, leaves your home exposed to the elements.
c. Hail: Hail basically weakens your roof by creating holes in the roofing material. If not repaired, they will worsen and give water an opportunity to cause even more damage.
Improper Installation.
Yes, repairing or replacing a roof is an expensive undertaking, burt going with a contractor with little experience, or who does poor work won’t save you anything. An inexperienced, uncertified contractor can do a number of things wrong: incorrectly installing roof flashing; leaving roof valleys and joints unsealed; and incorrect measuring and fitting of features such as skylights. Each of these issues can cause leaks and water damage.
Pests.
Termites, rodents and birds can all cause damage to your roof. Termites are especially notorious since the signs of infestation aren’t always obvious; in fact, termites can be causing damage for years, invisibly eating away at the roof’s structure, until your roof is about to collapse.
Age.
Regardless of the type of roofing materials you use, roofs do eventually age. Here’s how long common types of roofing should last, with proper maintenance:
a. Asphalt Shingles: 15 – 30 years
b. Metal Roofs: 40 – 70 years
c. Slate Tiles: 75+ years
Poor Maintenance.
The key to getting the most life out of your roof is proper maintenance. A roofing contractor can perform periodic roof inspections, and make necessary repairs before they cause extensive damage.
But what are some problem signs you should be looking for? Here are five.
If you have asphalt shingles, they are coated with a layer of protective granules. If you find these granules in your gutters, downspouts or on the ground, your roof may be getting older and need replacement.
Broken, cracked or curling shingles leave your roof susceptible to water damage. If there are just a few, the area can be repaired. If the damage is extensive, a whole new roof may be necessary.
Missing shingles. These shingles should be replaced immediately.
Hail damage. If stuff on the ground is damaged after a hail storm, then your roof is likely damaged as well.
Interior water damage. Do you see dark spots or discoloration in your attic, on walls or on ceilings? You may have a leak that could result in mold and structural damage.
Some roof damage is easily seen from the ground, however there can be hidden damage that takes a trained eye to detect. It makes sense to find a reliable contractor to perform periodic checks on your roof. It could save you money in the long run!
