Every day, your roof faces danger of roof repair or total roof replacement.
We all have fears. Maybe, as a child, you were afraid of the dark–or, maybe, it was monsters under your bed. It seems everyone is afraid of spiders, or snakes, or cockroaches, those unsettling creepy-crawlies. Our dogs are often afraid of thunder and fireworks. Some of us are afraid of sharks. We all have our own peculiar fears that may have once served an evolutionary purpose but are now mostly a quirk we highlight on our social media profiles. After all, how often are we faced with sharks? Or even spiders, and cockroaches? Our modern fears don’t seem to come from a need to combat a daily, dangerous force: they seem to come from our overactive imaginations. But if your roof could talk, it would have so many fears to share with you: and they would all be justified.
You see, your roof faces nearly all of its fears on a daily basis, each one posing a real, dangerous threat. Though it’s not as easy as comforting a child’s fear of the dark by plugging-in a night-light, you can help ease the dangers threatening your roof. Know the biggest dangers to your home’s roof. The more you know, the more proactive you can be, increasing your roof’s longevity and preventing expensive roof repair.
Snow and Your Roof
From your couch, cozied-up in your fleece blanket and little collection of pillows, the snowfall outside looks beautiful. You’ve got your favorite movie on, a mug of hot coco. Maybe, a rich fire bustling in your fireplace. Above you, your roof groans, watching as one of its biggest fears collects in its valleys, grows on its peaks. Your roof is built to combat snowfall, and rain, and ice–but that doesn’t stop it from being dangerous in large quantities and at certain temperatures.
When major snowfalls cause feet of snow to collect on your roof, the weight increase can weaken your internal structure. In dramatic instances, snowfall can cause your roof to collapse. While most healthy roofs are equipped to handle upwards of two-feet, most roofs are still vulnerable to snow’s more silent sister: ice. Sometimes, snow collected on your roof will go through several cycles of freezing and thawing, wearing down the integrity of your shingles. This constant freezing and thawing can cause shingles to warp, crack, or become loosen, subsequently causing roof leaks.
To help your roof combat the snow, be sure to clear your roof of any debris if any amount of snowfall is imminent. Branches, leaves, and other natural clutter unnecessarily burdens your roof, adding extra weight and clogging your roof’s drainage patterns. When debris prevents your roof from effectively draining, more snow will collect (adding more weight and ice) causing greater strain to your roof. Keep an eye on your attic before and after snowfall to note any changes: any sudden appearance of water stains or dark spots or bulging along your ceilings. Catching a leak early can dramatically reduce both damages and cost of a potential roof repair.
Pests
What a cozy roof you have, my dear. Yes, what a nice protective roof you’ve got! You enjoy your roof–after all, it does keep you comfortable and dry–so why wouldn’t pests? Your roof looks pretty good to squirrels, and bats, and birds, and termites, and so many other little critters that just want to be as cozy and dry as you are. Your poor roof has nightmares about pests seeking refuge within it–I imagine it is the equivalent of that scene in The Mummy when the scarabs crawl under people’s skin. Ugh! Horrifying. Having pests in your attic really is like living in a horror movie: you might hear scraping and scurrying at night, and your wires may be chewed-through, causing lights to malfunction and the phones to drop. Though, you might rather be haunted by a ghost than threatened by a pest. Not only can certain critters (like termites) threaten the structural integrity of your roof, others (like rats and squirrels) may carry diseases that can harm you and your family. Generally, ghosts don’t multiply either, unlike squirrels…
Keep your roof protected from the threat of pests. Make sure there are no holes in your roof, or any weaknesses under your shingles to allow access. Check your attic frequently for any signs of termites and ants. If you notice any insect activity, it may be worth contacting a professional roof repair contractor to investigate the source and depth of the problem. Insects sneak-in easily and can totally wreak havoc on your roof. Getting rid of them quickly and thoroughly can save you from future headache as well as expensive roof repair services.
Trees
All those gorgeous old trees that arc over your home and dress in beautiful colors throughout the year are sinister to your roof, despite their rich foliage. In fact, every part of the tree is a danger to your roof. Those pretty leaves that fall all red in autumn, or are whisked away emerald in summer winds, collect on your roof and form debris-barriers that prevent your roof from properly draining. When water and snow pools on your roof because of debris, your roof is strained under the extra weight and the integrity of your shingles are compromised. Fallen branches hurled at your roof in the wind can damage or crack shingles, can cause holes or cracking, and can also add to the heavy, clogging debris collected on your roof. In severe instances, trees may crash into (or fall through) your roof.
Protecting your roof against trees, be sure to regularly clean tree-debris from your roof. Do not let branches and leaves collect and clog drainage. Be sure to also tend to your gutters: damaged or clogged gutters can impact your roof, too, encouraging leaks and cracks. Keep your trees trimmed-back to prevent branches from scraping your roof and pulling back shingles. Also, should you experience even the slightest damage to your roof due to a fallen branch, you will want to contact a professional roof repair contractor to conduct a thorough inspection and fix the problem before it grows and results in even greater damage.
Wind Damage
Old Man Wind is howling, and as he screams by your home he may be tearing-out shingles. In the high winds of tumultuous, stormy seasons your roof is subjected to constant beatings and hammerings. Wind alone can tear shingles, or rip-off shingles altogether. Weathered roofs whose shingles may have lost most of their protective granules are particularly weak to wind. Constant roof maintenance and roof repair is key to combating the damaging forces of wind. Wind short of hurricane-speeds should not pose a major threat to your roof unless your roof has been poorly maintained. Keeping your roof in a healthy condition lets it fight the incessant force of wind.
…You!
Yes, you can be a danger to your roof! I imagine you may feel a little shocked right now, and maybe the slightest bit offended. Sure, you’re a good homeowner! I know that and you know that… but does your roof? How often is your roof professionally serviced by experienced roof repair contractors? How frequently do you perform maintenance tasks? Does your roof always seem to be in a constant state of repair?
Do not neglect regular maintenance for your roof. Your roof works hard to protect you. Snow, pests, trees, and wind, may be some of its biggest fears…but it’s greatest fear is failing you. When you take care of your roof, your roof can take care of you. Keeping your roof in tip-top shape allows it to fight the snow, and pests, and trees, and winds. Regularly roof repair services (properly!) greatly increases your roof’s longevity and durability. Don’t let a problem get out of hand: the moment an issue arises, tend to it. You have the power to keep your roof strong.