Keeping your roof in good shape is important in order to protect your home interior from the elements. While many roofs are built to last for years, roof damage can occur. Knowing more about the following causes of roof damage can help you determine when you might need to have professional roofers inspect your roof and make repairs or do a roof replacement.
Improper Installation
A properly installed roof can last for years without damage. If your roof was improperly installed, you might develop signs of damage over the years, such as leaks where water is able to get in. Professional roofers can inspect your roof for these vulnerable areas and repair them as needed.
Broken or Torn Shingles
Storms and gusty winds can cause damage to your roof shingles. Broken or torn shingles can allow water to get into your attic, which can result in moisture damage. Roofers can check your roof for damaged shingles and replace them with new ones in order to protect your home from water damage.
Damaged Flashing
The flashing around your chimney and other parts of your roof might end up with damage due to wear and tear or bad weather. Roofers can look for cracks or other signs of damaged flashing and make repairs as needed. This helps ensure your home is protected from leaks, since water can seep through damaged flashing.
Rotten or Damaged Fascia
The fascia on your roof needs to be in good condition in order to keep water out and prevent damage. This part of your roof can become damaged or rotten over the years from wear and tear. Roofers can replace damaged fascia to keep your roof and home safe from water damage.
Bad, Old, or Clogged Gutter System
Your gutters help prevent water damage by directing rainwater away from your roof. A gutter system that’s outdated, in bad shape, or clogged allows water to get into your roof and cause moisture damage, such as wood rot and mold growth. Roofers can inspect your gutter system and replace it or repair it as needed.
Ventilation
Poor ventilation can put your roof at risk of ice dams, moisture damage, and other types of damage. Professional roofers can determine if your roof is properly ventilated in order to prevent this damage from occurring or make repairs if damage has already happened. Proper ventilation helps protect your roof, attic, and home interior from damage.
Storm Damage
Rain, wind, hail, and other severe weather conditions can cause missing shingles or other types of roof damage. You should have roofers check your roof for storm damage after bad weather hits, so you can have repairs done right away. This helps keep your roof in good condition and prevents more extensive damage from developing.
Punctures and Holes
Debris and wear and tear can cause small gaps to open in your roof. These punctures and holes create openings for leaks in your roof, which can result in severe water damage to your interior. Having roofers check for these gaps and patch them up is an important part of ensuring your roof is safe from leaks.
Critters and Pests
Rodents, insects, and wildlife, such as raccoons and squirrels, can cause damage to your roof while looking for a way inside. These pests might also take advantage of existing damage in order to easily get into your attic. Roofers can check for signs of roof damage caused by pests or make repairs to prevent pests from getting into your home.
Tree Damage
Tree branches can fall onto your roof and cause major damage if they’re heavy enough. These branches can also scrape against your roof’s surface if they’re too close to it, causing scratches and other minor damage. Roofers can repair tree damage, and you can prevent it by keeping trees near your roof trimmed.
Poor Maintenance
Regular roof maintenance helps keep roofs in good condition and lowers the risk of damage. This means having professional roofers inspect your roof once or twice a year to check for early signs of damage and fix them promptly. Roof maintenance also involves keeping your roof clear of debris and other potential sources of damage. Poor maintenance or a lack of maintenance can shorten your roof’s life span and result in major damage.
When you have roof damage, keep in mind you should avoid going up there to check it yourself. Instead, have professional roofers handle your roof inspection. Roofers can determine how much damage there is, what is causing it, and how to repair it.
If you have roof damage at your Central Indiana home, contact DWC Roofing for an inspection and repairs or a replacement as needed. Our roofers can get your roof back to being in good condition.
