A roofing system acts as the first line of defense for your home against the elements. Any damage that your roof sustains can compromise its ability to keep water out.
In order to provide your home with the highest level of protection possible, you must be able to quickly identify the source of any roof damage and address the problem properly. There are some common things that can cause residential roof damage.
Learn more about these harmful elements so that you can maintain the integrity of your roof over time.
Sun
Sunlight can be a welcome element during the day, but exposure to sunlight can be detrimental to the structural integrity of your roof.
UV rays and heat can cause the materials used to construct your shingles to break down over time. As these materials deteriorate, they no longer retain their waterproof qualities.
The best way to identify sun damage is to complete a visual examination of your roof. If you spot any discoloration, warped shingles, or missing granules, it's time to contact a roofing contractor to make repairs.
Trees
The trees that populate your home's landscape have the potential to cause serious roof damage if they aren't cared for properly.
Many homeowners think that as long as limbs are not touching the roof, no damage will occur. This isn't always true. Secondary damage caused by leaves clogging up your rain gutters can lead to serious roofing failures.
A limb that doesn't normally come into contact with your roof could be thrown around in a wind storm, causing the limb to penetrate your shingles and create a path for water to infiltrate your home.
It's best to keep the trees in your yard trimmed. Remove any trees that grow too close to your home so that leaves and limbs won't be a problem for your roofing system in the future.
Wind
Strong wind gusts can dislodge shingles from your home's roof. Lifted shingles leave the underlayment layer of the roof exposed to the elements. Water is much more likely to infiltrate your home through an exposed underlayment.
The shingles near the edges of your roof are usually affected by heavy winds the most, but a severe windstorm could rip up shingles from anywhere on the surface of your roof.
Be sure to complete a visual inspection after any major windstorm. Missing shingles should be replaced immediately to protect your home against leaks.
Precipitation
A residential roof is exposed to the elements constantly. Rain, snow, and ice can eventually take a toll on the quality of your shingles.
Moisture is a roof's enemy. Pooling water created by a major rainstorm or an ice dam will cause moisture to seep underneath your roofing materials. The longer this moisture remains on your roof, the more damage it will cause.
It's essential that you keep your rain gutters free of any debris throughout the year. Excess moisture on your roof should drain away down the rain gutters, but clogged gutters can cause water to pool.
Have a roofing contractor help you keep your gutters clean and address any damage caused by precipitation throughout the year.
Moss
Moss can begin to form on the roofing materials of homes in humid climates. Moss is a slow-growing plant that has the potential to cause damage to the structural frame of your roof.
Wood rot is common in homes with moss on their roofs. The moss holds moisture, exposing your shingles and roofing materials to this moisture over time. Eventually, the moisture held by the roots of the growing moss will cause your roofing system to fail.
An experienced roofing contractor can help you remove moss from your roof and prevent it from growing back.
For more information, contact a roofing service in your area.
