When it comes to roofing problems, leaks are the most common. The truth is, however, that there are many other kinds of roofing problems you should be wary of. Given that roofs are tasked with taking care of your home, they have to be at their best at all times. To help your roof perform as it should, it is crucial to identify damage as soon as possible. As roofing damage typically occurs after bad weather, having your roof inspected after a storm is ideal. Some of the common roofing issues you should keep an eye out for after bad weather include:
Cracks
Often caused by impact from hail or other heavy debris, roof cracks are common on shingle roofs but can also show up on tile, slate, and even flat roofing. If neglected, a crack can grow, providing rain water with enough space to seep through and compromise roofing material.
Holes
Cracks can grow into holes when damaged roofing material is further weathered down by a storm. Other times, holes can appear when heavy debris, like tree branches, are dropped by strong winds on your roof, puncturing roofing material in the process. The size of a hole is also typically proportional to the weight of the debris that caused the damage so the bigger the debris, the bigger you can expect a hole to be. Aside from simply being hit by debris however, a roof’s tendency to develop a hole is also affected by its current state. When a roof is particularly deteriorated to begin with, it will not take a lot to produce a hole in it.
Loose Roofing Material
Strong winds have the ability to weaken nails or screws that hold your roof together and in place. Loose or missing roofing material has to be replaced because it runs the risk of being torn off and providing a bigger opening for moisture to enter through.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is installed to protect gaps in roofing material. As it is typically made of metal, it is susceptible to rusting, which can worsen to damage the flashing completely. Storms can not only exacerbate damage but can even rip out flashing completely as well when strong winds are involved.
Other Roofing Problems
Built over time, these roofing problems don’t have the same urgency as those that usually occur after bad weather but they can be just as bad for your roof when left unattended.
- Surface Deformation. Constant changes in temperature and exposure to moisture can cause certain roof materials warp out of shape. Shingles, for instance, curl at the edges while painted roofing surfaces develop unsightly blisters. Aside from making your roof look bad, deformed surfaces mean the roofing material has been compromised, meaning it’s only a matter of time before bigger damage is seen.
- Rot. Also a problem related to moisture exposure, rot weakens roofing material, compromising not just your roof but potentially endangering the rest of your home as well because it can lead to collapses.
Whatever kind of roofing damage you’re looking at, keep in mind that the sooner you address it, the sooner your roof can go back to taking care of your home at full capacity. Schedule an inspection right away with your local contractor to prevent roofing damage from ruining your day.
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Author Bio:
Hailing from northeast Florida, Stacy Mellette is the owner of Affordable Roofing Systems, a family-owned and -operated company. She regularly writes about roofing and home maintenance tips and her experiences in the roofing industry, sharing them on the company blog for all to enjoy. For updates from Stacy, check out the company blog.
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