Roofs are built to be tough and withstand weather, wind and constant sun exposure. However, there are things that can cause a lot of damage on your roof. Here’s a list that includes several things which can harm your roof.
Age
Just like anything else, a roof gets weaker as it gets older. It is important to keep the age of your roof in mind and get it repaired or replaced as needed.
Untended maintenance
Fixing damaged roof shingles. A section was blown off after a storm with high winds causing a potential leak.
Roofs need to be maintained or small problems turn into big ones. For example, a missing shingle may seem like a small problem in summer, but by the time fall rains come, moisture from morning dew and summer rains may turn that little issue into a big leak.
Weather damage
Roofs are designed to deal with weather, but things like hail, extreme sun exposure, going through a constant cycle of freezing and then thawing can all wear down your roof. These problems may be focused on certain, more exposed portions of your roof, but they still should be repaired as soon as possible.
Plants
This problem comes in two parts. First, allowing plants like moss to grow on your roof will damage the integrity of the shingles and make them wear out much more rapidly than they normally would if they were clean. Second, plants like trees can cause big problems if a limb falls on your roof and damages the structure. You can prevent both problems by periodically cleaning your roof and keeping your trees trimmed back.
Backed up gutters
We have said this many times, but dirty gutters or gutters that are damaged will not work as they should and may allow water to back up onto the roof. Because a roof is a system – not just a pile of wood and shingles – gutters are a vital part in making sure that system works. This is even more true here in the Pacific Northwest, where we are known for rainy weather. Be sure to clean or repair any damage to gutters right away.
These are many of the things which lead the way to roof damage. Keep your eyes pealed for them and get in touch with your local roofing company for your roof maintenance.