Regardless of the roofing materials, even the most well-constructed roof is vulnerable to damage. Common culprits that can harm your roof and threaten its ability to protect your home from the elements include wind, moss growth, and neglected gutters.
Weather Conditions
In the lower mainland, we experience strong winds in the spring and fall. A windy day combined with rain for several days in a row can pummel the roof during any season of the year. Even moderately gusty days and normal weather patterns can make your roof vulnerable due to missing, cracked, or torn shingles.
Rain and wind aren’t the only culprits. Sun, UV rays, and fluctuating temperatures can be just as damaging to a roof. Constant exposure to UV rays breaks down the chemical bonds in roofing materials like asphalt shingles, making them susceptible to cracking or curling. Fluctuating temperatures cause expansion and contraction, putting stress on your roof because of structural shifting.
Roof Maintenance Neglect
To help you protect your home’s exterior, regular roof maintenance is important Ignoring issues like a few missing shingles, some raised nail heads, or slightly buckling flashing that can be easily repaired might become major problems in the future, requiring costly repairs or even a roof replacement.
While homeowners might view the gutters as a separate system, they are actually a part of the roof. Cleaning the gutters at least twice a year prevents clogs from forming. When debris causes blockages, runoff can spill over on to the siding or splash up on to parts of the roof like the first row of shingles and the soffit and fascia. Cleaning the gutters regularly prevents mould growth, moss growth, wood rot, and structural damage to both the gutters and the roof.
Water Intrusion and Leaks
Persistent rain and moisture are not a roof’s friends. Water, if not discouraged, finds its way into the most unexpected places – behind gutters, around nail heads, through tiny cracks in roofing shingles, into the roof deck when shingles are missing, underneath poorly sealed flashing. Once water settles where it shouldn’t, even just one small leak, it can cause expensive problems. Signs of water intrusion include:
- Dark spots or spreading stains on ceilings
- Streaks or discolouration on interior walls
- Shingles that appear to “sink” or sag into the roof
- Gutter sections pulling away from the fascia
- Overflowing gutters
Poor Installation and DIY Repairs
While the number one culprit of roof damage is severe weather, the second most common cause is poor installation. When a roof is installed using incorrect techniques, inferior or defective roofing materials, inappropriate sealing applications, and the wrong type of flashing, it will be vulnerable to water damage and roof failure.
The same applies to extensive DIY repairs. Minor do-it-yourself roof repairs are fine. But when you have to make more serious repairs that are the result of ongoing leaks, extensive storm damage, or shifting/sagging (structural issues), call a professional roofing contractor.
Trees and Debris
Pay attention to the debris that hangs around on your roof. The only reason why it doesn’t get blown off is because it is wet. Left to sit on top of roofing shingles, leaves, twigs, and other organic materials (pollen, blossoms, etc.) retain moisture, often resulting in moss growth, the appearance of algae, and wood rot.
Pay attention to the trees on your property. Inspect them for fungi growth, peeling bark, and broken branches. It is true that healthy tree limbs can be snapped by the wind. However, if you consistently discover broken branches and twigs on your roof or in the gutters, it can be a sign that the tree is sick or dying. Trim back trees growing close to the gutters and roof. If you suspect that a tree is unhealthy, consult an arborist.
