3 Things You Didn’t Know Could Cause Damage to Your Roof

Posted on Feb 10 2020 - 2:12pm by Housecall
#5

By Brooke Chaplan

The roof on your home is the main structure standing between the elements and the interior of your property. Although your roof can become damaged by things such as high winds and hail, you might overlook other things that happen every day that can cause damage.

Related: Getting a Custom Home? Here's How to Get the Strongest Roof

Watch out for these three common issues that can destroy your roof and lead to a need for repairs or a replacement:

Listen for the Sounds of Wildlife

A pest problem often indicates a roof problem. There are many types of critters that prefer to use roofs as an easy access point, and they often damage it in the process of trying to find their way into your attic. Rodents can chew through shingles and the sublayers of a roof, and birds can set up nests that can eventually begin to rot and cause issues. If the damage becomes substantial, you may find that the pest damage extends into the deeper parts of your roof, to the point that there are full holes leading into the other part of your home.

Eliminate Debris Collections

A fallen branch may alert you to check the roof immediately; however, you might not think much about lighter debris, such as twigs and leaves. Depending on the style of your roof, it's possible for debris to build up quickly.

Fall and spring are good times to contact a roofing company to inspect for damage from debris, such as leaves and blossoms that have begun to rot and break down the shingles. Clearing off the debris and making it less likely to build up in the future can help preserve your roof.

Check for Faulty Gutter Systems

You might be annoyed by looking over the gutter systems on your home, but the real problem may be what's happening on your roof. Once a gutter system becomes clogged, the water can begin to pool on the roof. This leads to issues such as shingle rot that damages the integrity of the roof. Cleaning out your gutters is the best way to make sure that water is always directed off of the roof and away from your property.

In each of these situations, roof damage can take some time before it becomes severe. Catching the problem now could save you from having to shell out the money for a full roof replacement. Make sure to schedule an inspection and make plans for maintenance so that the roof continues to shield your property from inclement weather.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She recommends looking into a reputable roofing company in your area. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more info, contact Chaplan via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan.

5 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. Phil B. February 14, 2020 at 12:57 pm - Reply

    There are lots of red flags relative to the soundness of a roof; these are three good ones. Here in NorCal, we also see moss growth as another problematic issue. Once the moss gets a foothold on a roof, it can cause all kinds of moisture-retention and drainage issues that can turn into big problems.

  2. New Roofing Auckland May 2, 2020 at 3:08 am - Reply

    Weather conditions like snow, heavy rain, ice, even high humidity can gradually damage your roof over time. However, you have presented some really important reasons that are mostly known but however ignored. Thank you very much.

  3. Roof Cleaning Vancouver WA August 20, 2020 at 2:08 am - Reply

    Hi, this one is great and really a good post shared by you. Regular cleaning can help extend the life of our roof. If you’re not comfortable cleaning or repairing your roof by yourself, hiring a professional roofing is recommended. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Ron Newman March 8, 2021 at 9:56 am - Reply

    In the winter, snow and ice on the roof can cause problems. Try to have your roof cleaned off, if you have more than a foot of snow.

  5. Mar Morales May 7, 2021 at 12:15 pm - Reply

    A good roof over your head helps to insulate your house and keep your energy bills minimalized. Every part of the roofing acts as a barrier against the outside world.

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