Your roof is the primary barrier that covers and protects your home against the elements. There are times where homeowners neglect roof maintenance since they assume their roof is durable. However, your emergency roof repair expert would beg to differ as it is vital to conduct preventive maintenance to stop major issues from surfacing in the future. Even if your roofing system can last for decades on end, it’s lifespan can still be shortened due to the elements and other issues that it can run into.
It also helps to be well-informed about what causes these problems. It’s easy to see the damaged portions of our roof, as well as the aftermath. However, not a lot of homeowners are aware of the causes behind the damage that they spot on their roof, especially if it’s their first time seeing it. It’s also worth noting that it’s even more dangerous to do inspections themselves since they lack the safety equipment and tools to see the damage firsthand. Even if they do so, they might not even know what to look for. This is why it’s important to understand the root cause of the problem so that you and your contractor can address it and plan your course of action accordingly.
In this post, the leading roof repair and replacement contractor, Villwell Builders, LLC, shares the most common causes that lead to your roofing system’s biggest problems.
Tree Branches
While they seem harmless at a glance, the branches from nearby trees can break off due to high winds and the sheer weight of ice during the winter season. If a tree is growing weak, it won’t take too much force to cause it to break. These branches can get onto your roof and scrape away at the shingles if it’s blown hard enough. It could even decompose on your roof and lead to organic growth, affecting not only your shingles, but also other components within your home, such as the attic, or the underlayment.
Roof Debris
Carrying on from the previous point, your roofing contractor would also tell you that the leaves and trees around your home can lead to debris pileup on your roof. These small debris can get into small gaps into your home, such as the extensions or dormers. Other debris like twigs, leaves and pinecones can stack onto your roof will accumulate moisture, leading to your shingle roof prematurely deteriorating and rotting.
Rodents and Critters
Animals can also be a problem to your roofing system. Creatures such as nesting birds, bats, raccoons, squirrels, mice, and woodpeckers could lounge in your roof and slowly pull apart your roofing system. Insects trapped beneath your roofing system and fascia boards are a sweet treat for woodpeckers as they’ll try and get to them. Raccoons could also seek shelter in your vent covers and shingles, leading them to nest in it to protect them from the outside.
High Winds
If your area is prone to strong winds, it can cause your shingles to lift up or even blow off if they aren’t fastened properly or securely enough. After a strong wind event, make sure to look for shingles on the ground which warrants you to call your roof repair and inspection expert to take a closer look at your roof.
Strong Rain and Hail
When you encounter strong downpours and hail, it can damage and weaken the protective mineral coating on your roofing system, leaving behind unprotected spots on your roof. This leaves your roofing system prone to UV rays and moisture which can lead to serious issues later on, such as mold growth and leaks. Also, sustained hail impact can weaken your roof’s structure and shorten its lifespan later on.
Snow and Ice Buildup
Ice might not be a problem if you live in a tropical climate, but if you live in an area with harsh winters, you’ll need to brace yourself for it. When the weather hits freezing temperatures, ice can form around your eaves, leading to snow backing up. In turn, the freezing and thawing can lift your shingles and lead the ice to melt, allowing water and snow to get into your home. Once the weather has stabilized, make sure that you have the snow and ice on your roof removed. It also helps to clean out your gutters and install gutter guards to prevent ice dams from forming and clogging your gutters in the process.
Flashing Issues
The roof flashing is an important component of your roof. It’s a thin strip of material that is used to protect vulnerable areas of your roof, such as the vents, chimneys and edges against the elements. If your roof flashing fails, it can allow wind and water to get into your home. The main reason this part fails is due to the compound used to seal the flashing getting dry, leading to water damage.
UV Rays
While the sun can be helpful for our landscaping and softscaping, a harsh amount of sunlight can decrease your roof’s lifespan due to its strong UV rays, especially during high noon or the summer season. The heat can lead to your shingles drying out over time, and possibly growing brittle. However, you should keep in mind that roofs will dry out as the years go on, but this will only be accelerated due to the heat.
Moisture Buildup
While there are a lot of things that can cause problems on your roof, there is one thing that they all share in common. They all allow water and moisture into your home which is arguably one of the worst things that can bring damage to your roof. This is why all roofing contractors emphasize on getting to the root cause of moisture issues to prevent most of these issues from surfacing. In turn, you can get more life out of your roofing system and maximizing your investment.
Whether you’re looking for a window installer or a professional in emergency roof repair, Villwell Builders, LLC is the expert to trust. You can reach us by calling (475) 271-1242 or filling out our convenient contact form. Talk to us today!
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