Roof Damage – Your roof is what protects you from the harsh elements outside. Without it, your home won’t have a strong defense against Mother Nature. Any damage done on your home may quickly turn into a disaster, causing harm to both you and your family. Hence, a roof is a crucial part of any place.
At present, there are different options you can consider for your roofing needs. While most roofs can last for many years, especially when installed properly, there are seven surprising things that can damage your roof and shorten its lifespan. These include the following:
1. Trees Roof Damage
Damage from trees may happen in various ways. Limbs get weighed or broken down due to heavy snow, ice, or wind, and in some instances, branches snap if the tree has a disease. When limbs land on the roof, their heavy weight ends up breaking the roof.
Depending on the severity of damage caused by trees, you may need a roofing replacement Fairfax if you live in the area.
2. Wind to Cause Roof Damage
Strong winds may blow off your roof shingles or lift up their edges, damaging a portion of your roof. Therefore, it’ll be an excellent practice to inspect your yard and roof after a storm. When doing this, look for any pieces of shingles that might be lying around your property. Check for curling, damaged, or missing shingles on the ground.
You don’t need to climb up to your roof to identify the damage. If you notice any roof damage signs mentioned, hire a professional. Professionals will make necessary roof repairs and examine your roof thoroughly.
3. Snow And Ice
Ice and snow are a problem for many homeowners who live in places that experience cold weather. It’s because once they build up on a roof, they may cause significant roof ice damage.
Sometimes, the weight of the buildup may compromise the roof’s structure. However, the worst problems often happen after freezing, refreezing, and melting. When the ice melts, the water might seep into some parts of your roof. Once it refreezes, it expands, leading to leakage or intrusion into your home.
4. Animals
Another surprising thing that can damage your roof is pest infestation. Animals, such as raccoons, bats, mice, squirrels, and birds, can all cause serious roofing problems.
For example, woodpeckers usually search for insects to eat by poking into your roof shingles. Bats can be problematic as well when they make their way into your attic. They can damage your wiring and insulation and chew into your walls. Moreover, they let off a strong odor and may transmit diseases. Moreover, raccoons may damage shingles and vent covers by pulling or lifting them off your roof.
To stop roof damage due to pest infestation, make sure to inspect your attic. This will help you check for cracks or holes that might allow pests in.
5. Debris
If your property is surrounded by foliage and trees, your roof will always have a lot of debris. It can be anything from pine needles to small branches or twigs. Leaves and needles left on the roof absorb moisture, which leads to algae growth, mold, or moss.
Too much moisture from those pieces of debris and dirt particles can wear down your roof over time. So, make sure to get rid of any debris on your roof regularly.
6. Sun
No matter what type of roofing you have, your roof is no match for the sun’s power and ultraviolet (UV) rays. The more exposed your roof is to UV rays, the more damage it can incur. However, you might not notice this damage right away, and there isn’t much you can do to resolve it, besides planting some trees that will offer shade to your roof. If you’re living in a region with a sunny weather, you can reduce the damage by getting your roof inspected regularly.
7. Hail
Hail can also destroy your roof. However, hail damage roof can be difficult to spot until it worsens and starts to cause major issues on your roofing system. Sometimes, it produces visible and large punctures. It may also create hairline or small cracks, which can be hard to detect.
If your roof has asphalt shingles, the small cracks may allow water to flow into your roofing system, causing deterioration eventually. Hail may damage your shingles’ coating too, leaving bare spots that could expose the roof to nature’s elements.
Once you forget to repair those areas, they’ll be vulnerable to moisture and UV rays, which can shorten your roof’s lifespan. Thus, when your roof has endured damage from hail, it’s best to call a professional roofing expert who will inspect your roof carefully.
Tips To Prevent Roof Damage
Roof maintenance can be a time-consuming task. But, once you do it regularly, you’ll be able to avoid damage effectively. Here are some of the tips to avoid damage and prolong your roof’s lifespan:
1. Have Your Roof Inspected
Before winter or hurricane season, it’s ideal to have your roof assessed by professionals. A proper roof inspection will help reveal any damage or weaknesses to your roof. In addition, it’ll help you resolve any issues before they become worse.
However, you may visit https://rmajorcorp.com/ to know how easily you can get professional help to maintain your roof health.
2. Clean Your Gutters to Avoid Damage
Nobody wants to clean their gutters because it can be messy and time-consuming. However, doing this can help your roof dispel water and prevent issues like leaks and water saturation that can result in mold growth and rotting wood.
3. Remove Falling Branches And Wind-Borne Debris
The presence of debris on your roof is one of the major causes of serious damage. Clear all the junks off your property. It’ll also help to trim the trees with big branches that hang over your roof or near your house.
4. Improve Your Roof’s Storm Resistance
To protect your roof from storm damage, you might want to consider adding roofing cement underneath the shingle tabs, particularly those that tend to pop up or loosen. If your roof is old, try re-roofing by using higher quality shingles with better UV light resistance, wind resistance, longer life expectancy, and a tougher water barrier.
Conclusion – Roof Damage
The damage isn’t only a result of improper installation or poor-quality repair. Sometimes, these things discussed above, like animals, may damage your roof unexpectedly. So, be sure to keep them in mind and remember to take immediate action if you notice any roofing issues. If possible, it’s best to contact professionals instead of roof damage repair by yourself to prevent further damage.