Your roof is your home’s first defense against the elements. The constant exposure to mother nature can inflict damage that might quickly turns into costly problems if not dealt with as soon as they occur. Many of these roofing issues are avoidable with regular maintenance. Being able to recognize common threats to your roof will help prevent harm to the structural integrity of your home.
Extreme Weather
Strong winds, continuous heavy rainfall for more than three days, or a sudden storm depositing a lot of snow onto your roof in a short amount of time are examples of how extreme weather can harm a roofing system. Factors such as the age of the roof, the type of roofing shingles, worm flashing, and being under-maintained, make a roof vulnerable to extreme weather damage.
Debris Accumulation
A good way to protect your roof is to start with the obvious – the amount of debris accumulating on roofing shingles, around chimneys and skylights, and in roof valleys. While it’s logical to expect leaves will eventually be blown away by the wind, that’s not always the case. Leaves that remain on a roof even after a slight breeze is an indication that either the leaves were damp when they landed or the roof itself was wet. Either way, organic materials sticking to asphalt shingles trap in moisture that increases in volume as the leaves and bits of twigs decompose. When moisture seeps into the underlayment and/or the decking, wood rot can occur.
Damaged Flashing
As with debris accumulation, damaged flashing exposes a roof to water infiltration. On a roof, flashing is typically installed anywhere there is a protrusion such as a chimney, dormer windows, vent pipes, and solar panels. Another type of flashing found on a roof is drip edge flashing, usually placed under the first row of shingles and designed to direct runoff away from the fascia and into the gutters. When flashing is worn or damages, strong winds and driving rain can allow moisture into areas – underneath shingles, into fascia, around skylight or dormer frames – where it collects, forming leaks.
Clogged Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters play an essential role in protecting your roof. Clogged gutters and downspouts encourage debris to block gutter outlets and water to build-up at the eaves. To prevent your gutter system from causing serious damage to the roof, regularly clean the gutters and ensure that there are no blockages in the downspouts.
Neglected Trees
If the trees on your property, even when they don’t grow near the house, aren’t healthy, they can pose a real threat – anything from broken limbs to a tree falling through the roof. To prevent trees from damaging your roofing system, do the following:
- Regularly prune the limbs of trees positioned close to the roof and siding
- Remove trees from the property is they are sick, display extensive damage, or are leaning
- Consult an arborist if the tree experiences excessive sap or a pest infestation – it’s possible it could be nursed back to health or it might have to be removed
Moss and Cousins
Moss, mildew, and algae are living organisms. Once they take up residence, especially moss, they retain water and encourage the growth of other plants and fungi. Of the three, moss retains the most moisture and can add significant weight to a roof. Mildew, algae, and moss should be completely removed from a roofing system to protect shingles from deterioration and prevent structural damage.