4 Reasons Why Your Roof Is Damaged
Roofs don’t last forever; if your roof is damaged, you likely want to know what caused the damage so you can prevent it from happening again. Luckily, you don’t have to wonder indefinitely. Learn here about four possible reasons why your roof is damaged.
1. Time and material lifespan
Just as your body ages, so does your roof. A professional will need to replace even the strongest of roofing materials eventually. Unfortunately, some roofs are made with materials that won’t last as long as you’d like them too. For example, asphalt roofs, while popular, generally last about 15 to 20 years. If your asphalt roof is 25 years old, damage from wear and tear is likely your answer.
If your roof is damaged, find out how old the roof is. You may need to contact the last homeowner or get a professional to inspect your roof.
2. Poor workmanship
We all want our roof to last for its entire lifespan, especially if the materials were particularly expensive. A professional roofing company will usually deliver a roof that lasts. But, whether by inattentiveness, naivety or inexperience, some roofs aren’t built this way.
Poor workmanship will reveal itself through several forms of damage. Check your roof for leaks, lifted materials and damaged flashing as well as ununiform, mismatching and missing shingles.
If you’re still not sure if the workmanship was the reason behind your roof’s damage, turn to a professional. They will be able to determine if your roof was built and installed correctly and suggest repair options.
3. Environmental forces
For many environmental causes, you’ll know—often right away— what it was that damaged your roof. For example, falling trees can cause a lot of damage, but so can any leaves, fruits, nuts and branches that fall off the tree. Many homeowners will preventatively remove any trees that are too close to their house for fear of damage.
Trees also offer a bridge to another environmental force that may have damaged your roof. Animals and insects may try to get inside your home through your roof or use your roof as their own home. While they may be cute and cuddly, an animal could have been what damaged your roof, so you should check for signs of pests if you suspect they were the cause.
Additionally, the weather is a force that can — and does — cause damage. Whether it was the rain, wind or a bit of lightning, a storm may have damaged your roof. A good practice to adopt is to check over your roof after every big storm, or you might not notice the damage until much later—and at that point, you may never realize the storm damaged your roof.
4. Lack of maintenance
All roofs need some maintenance, although some will need more than others will. And, sadly, a roof that isn’t maintained properly will miss out on important checks that could catch or even prevent damage.
One neglected maintenance task that may have caused the damage to your roof is clogged gutters. When the gutters are clogged, any water on your roof won’t have a safe way off. So if your gutters were or are still clogged, this may be your answer. Check for signs of pooling water on your roof, like leaks, as well as damage to the sides of your home and the foundation.
Additionally, many roofing materials need to be treated and resealed occasionally. Untreated materials may absorb water, and they may not stand up to the heat of the sun, which can lead to cracks.
If your roof is damaged, contact our team at Homestyle Roof Painters. We can help you determine what the cause was, and we’ll repair your roof so it will last for years to come.