What Are The Biggest Causes Of Residential Roofing Damage?

Posted on: 25 January 2021

Often, homeowners keep an eye out for roofing damage, and if they do notice any signs, they may decide to call a roofing contractor. There is nothing wrong with this approach. However, there are more things to consider. While you should always be on the lookout for roof damage, you should also be aware of the most common causes of roof damage so that when possible, you can seek to minimize them.

With that in mind, the following tend to be the biggest causes of residential roof damage.

Tree Branches

Trees and roofs simply do not mix well. Branches may sweep against the roof, eventually wearing the granules off shingles and making them prone to leaks. Trees also shed their leaves onto roofs, and those leaves trap moisture against the shingles, leading to premature deterioration. Then, there's the chance of the whole branch falling onto the roof in case of a storm. If you want to avoid roofing damage, you should have a tree care company come trim back any overhanging branches. While they're up there, ask if they see any signs of roof damage, such as peeling or cracking shingles, so that these issues can be taken care of immediately.

Ice Dams

If you live in an area where there's a lot of winter snowfall, then you need to be aware of ice dams. These are big ledges of ice that can form along the edge of a roof. Since water expands as it freezes, if even a little of the water gets under the edge of a shingle and then freezes, this can cause the shingles to peel up and leak. The constant weight of the ice is not good for the roof, either. 

Ice dams are usually brought on by either a lack of attic ventilation or a lack of insulation. So if you have them, have your roofer come and improve the ventilation and insulation now rather than waiting and having them have to replace shingles later.

Hail and Wind Storm

Understandably, these major causes of roof damage are generally not things you have a lot of control over. Fortunately, you can seek to minimize the amount of damage that can be done during a storm. Make sure you have your roof inspected and any loose shingles secured each spring so that you're less likely to lose shingles in a wind storm. After a hail storm, have a roofer check your roof and replace any damaged shingles before you end up with bigger problems like leaks.

Roofs do not last forever, but by being aware of and addressing the major causes of roof damage, you can extend your roof's life at least somewhat. For more information, contact a residential roofing company. 

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