Roofing - Common Causes of Damage

The roof of a house provides protection to the people living in it as well as their beloved belongings and necessities. It is perhaps the most important structural part of a home. Knowing how to maintain it and correct damage quickly will prolong the amount of time that a roof lasts. Here are some common causes of roofing damage:

- Improper Maintenance: Having a professional examination on a regular basis can help eliminate many costly repairs. While some damage may be evident from the ground, most of it is not visible without climbing up. Also, an expert can spot different types of damage very easily, and point out potential problem areas before an expensive repair is necessary. Exactly how often a professional inspection should occur depends primarily on climate. Places that see a great deal of rain and snow require more regular maintenance.

- Excessive Heat: Heavy sun exposure can weaken some materials, especially wood. This is why many have a protective coating to shield the sun's harmful UV rays. The coating certainly prolongs the life of those materials, but they still erode over time. The sun's rays are harmful to many surfaces, and excessive heat can dry them out and cause tiles to curl upward.

- Heavy Rain and Snow: Areas that are prone to inclement weather are especially hard on roofs. Heavy rainfall or melting snow can cause what is known as an ice dam to form under the surface. The water flows under the tiles or shingles and then freezes, causing serious damage that is not easy to see. Rain gutters must be properly installed to help combat this problem. If the gutters are not correctly angled, water is more likely to pool and cause damage. Heavy snowfall can also weigh quite a bit, and some materials may collapse under the pressure. A flatter surface is more likely to give way, whereas a big slope allows the snow to slide off onto the ground instead.

- Wind Damage: Many of the materials used are highly susceptible to damage from high winds. It can pull off loose nails or shingles, leaving the underlying surface exposed to the elements. Even if the materials are sturdy, other types of flying debris can still hurt them or even pull them off.

- Hail Damage: Some of the most serious damage too roofing materials can be caused by hailstorms. Shingles have granules on them not only for appearance, but also to protect the surface underneath. Hail stones can cause the granules to break off or be greatly weakened. When this occurs, the underlying asphalt receives greater exposure to the elements. The damage may not be evident right away, but serious and costly repairs might become necessary over time. Much of the damage from hail is not easy to see from the ground, even with binoculars. A close inspection should be completed after every hailstorm.

Most of the causes of roofing damage are uncontrollable parts of nature. Awareness of their effects and quick attention to minor problems is essential in keeping costs low. Problems will only worsen as time passes if the proper corrective action is not taken.