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Common Causes Of Roof Damage

Colorado Western Construction • Jul 19, 2018

Your roof is one of the parts of your home that you want to last as long as possible. Not only is replacing a roof a big expense for a homeowner to cover, but damage to the roof itself can cause other problems to other parts of your home.


Your roof can last several years without needing replacement or repair, especially if you are aware of some of the reasons why roofs fail prematurely. Learn the common causes of roof damage and what you can do to prevent or quickly fix problems before they get worse.


Hail

Hail is one of the main reasons why people need to replace their roofs, even if the shingles should still have several years of life left. For asphalt shingles, hail removes the protective sandy coating that makes a shingle weatherproof. If the shingles were already brittle, a large hailstone can make a hole or split an asphalt shingle.


In homes with wooden shakes, tiles, or slate shingles, hail causes gouges, cracking, or shingle loss.

There is no real way to protect your shingles from hail damage, but you can protect your home from suffering the consequences. Hail damage to the roof is not always visible to the untrained eye. Even if you think your roof looks fine after a hail storm, you should still get an inspection to check for damage.


If you don't get an inspection, you might miss damage that affects your shingles and flashing. If leaks develop as a result, the repair costs for both the roof and the underlying structure will go up.


Fortunately, most home insurance policies cover hail damage. After your inspection, you can make a claim to have the roof repaired through your policy instead of paying out of pocket.


Poor Maintenance

Like most aspects of home ownership, prevention is better than a cure when it comes to your roof. If you're proactive about keeping your roof in good shape, you won't run into the need for roof replacement until your shingles collectively begin to fail.


For example, if you have a few missing or broken shingles after a cold and icy winter, replacing those few shingles in the spring will bring your roof back into good shape. If you ignore those few shingles, water will seep through the weak spot in your roof and other shingles will lift off or become damaged. In a short time, most of your roof will be compromised.


Check your roof twice a year for missing pieces. This includes flashing that might be bent or blown off. Look for areas where your shingles might be holding water instead of sloughing it off, or where the shingles might show excessive wear. Have these problems addressed as soon as you notice them so that you don't end up with a worse repair later.


Trees and Plant Debris

If you have trees that hang over your roof, consider trimming them back or having them removed. Shade on your house can help control the cooling bills, but when branches hang over the roof, you're asking for damage to your shingles.

Branches can break off during storms and land on your roof, scraping or splitting shingles as the branch hits. If it is heavy enough, the branch can even break through your shingles and damage the wooden underlay.


Falling branches are not your only concern. Leaves from overhanging trees can clog gutters, causing water to wick back underneath the shingles, or causing the edges of the shingles themselves to swell and curl. If the tree bears nuts or fruit, these can stain shingles or cause damage when they fall, much like a hailstone would cause damage.


Leaves and fruits also invite pests like ants, bats, and squirrels that can cause roof damage if they decide to stay.

Leaves gather in the valleys of your roof, trapping moisture against your shingles and preventing them from drying out after rain. Leaves in the valleys also block the efficient flow of rainwater to the gutters. The constant moisture eventually allows water to penetrate through the shingle.


Roof Traffic

Unless you're performing needed maintenance, walking on your roof should not be a common pastime. If your roof is older, walking on it can cause brittle asphalt shingles to crack and split. Tile and slate roofs can shatter from the force of your step if you are not careful. Generally, you should not walk on your roof unless you have to.


If you need to hang holiday lights, use a ladder to hang them from below. If you looking for damaged shingles, get a professional inspection or climb up and look at your roof without walking on it. If you have collections of leaves and debris on your roof, remove the cause of the debris so you aren't constantly clearing it off.


If you need professionals to help with your roof, contact us at Colorado Western Construction.

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