Reasons for a Sagging Roof and What a Roofing Contractor Might Need to Do About It
Posted on: 14 December 2020
A sagging roof is often a serious problem that will get worse over time. If you notice a sagging area on your roof, call a roofing contractor to take a look at it as soon as possible. Stay off your roof until then so you don't risk the roof falling out from under you. Here are some causes of a sagging roof and the repairs that might be needed.
1. The Roof Has Too Much Weight
Your home is built to hold up a specific amount of weight. If the weight load on your roof exceeds that, the roof can start to sag. Excess weight can come from heavy winter snows, so it's good to remove snow with a snow rake if you can reach it from the ground or call a professional snow removal service for help.
Excess weight could even come from having too many layers of roofing on your house or from switching to a heavier type of roof, such as clay tiles from asphalt shingles. When roofing is the problem, the roofing contractor might recommend removing the roof, repairing the deck, and then applying a lighter type of roofing. Another possible option might be to add a brace or additional rafters to support the weight of the roof.
2. The Deck Has Moisture Problems
If the deck has water damage and starts to rot, the roof can sag. To solve this problem, the roofing contractor has to figure out why the roof sustained water damage. The problem might be bad gutters or poor attic ventilation.
The cause has to be removed so the moisture problem is solved before new roofing is put on. The contractor has to remove the shingles or other roofing material to get to the rotted deck and remove it. Then the roof can be built back from the deck up to the shingles.
3. The Foundation Could Shift And Make The Roof Sag
A more serious problem is when the foundation of your house shifts. This can cause problems with your entire house, including the walls and roof. Foundation problems require the help of a foundation repair contractor and maybe even a structural engineer to save your house. The roof may need to be rebuilt too, depending on the type of damage it received.
4. A New House Might Have Construction Errors
It's also possible for a new house to develop a sagging roof if errors were made in the construction of the home. When this happens, the contractor might add more rafters or put in a new deck made of thicker and stronger material.
Also, sagging could just be one more sign of an old roof that needs to be replaced, or a sagging roof might indicate termite damage. No matter what the cause, a sagging roof is dangerous since it could collapse without warning. Call a roofing contractor as soon as you notice the problem so your roof can be repaired or replaced.
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