The roof is one of the most important features of any home. Your roof is often the first line of defense against natural hazards like wind, rain, ice, snow, and hail. As so, it is also one of the most vulnerable components of your home. Roof damage is a common occurrence, especially on older roofs that have deteriorated over the years. Some damage will not affect the structure or functionality of the roof which often means that repairs are not urgent. However, some types of damage are more extensive and will often require emergency roof repair. Learn more about different types of roof damage and when you should seek professional roof repair for your home.
Common Signs of Roof Damage
Before you can determine the extent of your roof damage, you must first know what signs to look for. Material failure is among the most common type of roof damage which can affect nearly any material used for roofing. Flashing, which connects the chimney, skylights, and vents to the roof, can begin to crack or corrode with old age. You may also notice that the rubber gaskets found around the plumbing vents have deteriorated allowing moisture to seep in.
If you have asphalt shingles on your home, you will also want to ensure that their grains are fully intact. If they have been negatively affected by weather, it may be necessary to replace the shingles. The same applies for any type of cracks found in the shingles. During storms, trees can hit your home causing cracked tiles, damaged fascia boards, or abraded asphalt shingles. Shingles that have suffered damage or have worn spots may need to be replaced, especially if they are allowing moisture to seep into the home.
You will also want to look for signs of wildlife in and around your roof. Raccoons and other critters may scurry across your roof causing damage to shingles and other materials. If they decide to make your attic a home, the damage may be ongoing and become worse over time. In addition to calling a wildlife professional to get rid of the animals you will also want to have your roof repaired. The final thing you will want to look for is damage from moss. As spores collect between shingles, they can quickly grow and spread causing damage to your roof. Removing the moss and repairing any damage is important for the health of your roof and family.
What Type of Damage Can Wait?
While all types of roof damage should be repaired as soon as possible, some types of damage are considered worse than others. For example, wood rot can occur after many months or years of exposure to moist conditions. Wood rot typically occurs when a section of wood becomes wet and is unable to dry out complete. Fascia boards and soffits are prone to wood rot, as well as roof sheathing and rafters. While wood rot may eventually weaken the structure of the roof, this generally takes many years. You will no doubt want to have your roof inspected but it is not usually considered an emergency.
You may also discover problems if the previous owner of your home installed too many roofing layers. When installing a new asphalt shingle roof on a home, the previous asphalt shingle roof can remain in place or be removed. Trouble begins when more than a couple layers of roofing materials are added causing excessive weight on your roof and materials that are not adequately anchored to the sheathing. While not a roofing emergency, it is best to have the extra layers or roofing removed and the roof repaired.
What Is Emergency Roof Damage?
There are many types of roof damage that are considered emergencies due to the extent of the damage. Storms are a leading cause of roof damage as they can cause roofing materials to blow off in large sections. When an entire side of a roof is exposed to high winds, shingles and sheathing can be blown completely off. To protect the structure of your roof, it is vital to have the shingles and sheathing replaced right away.
Due to the risk of leaks and other moisture problems, damaged shingles should also be replaced right away. Damage can present in many ways ranging from missing and broken shingles to torn shingles caused by excessive winds. Shingles that are old can begin to curl, cup, or become brittle. Bald shingles are also a high risk as they no longer have the protective granules needed to ward off damage. If you are not sure the extent of damage to your shingles, contact a professional roofer to thoroughly inspect your roof for damage. From there you can decide if you want to have the roof promptly repaired.
If you roof is causing a leak that is affecting the structure of your home, it is important to have it repaired immediately. Leaks can occur for a wide range of reasons. Sometimes the problem is gradual with water slowly seeping between the shingles. Other times leaks can occur suddenly when a tree branch punctures a hole in your roof. No matter what caused the leak, you will want to call in a qualified roofing professional to find the source of the leak and perform emergency roof repair or emergency roof tarping services.
Contact a Roof Repair Contractor Today
If your roof has suffered damage from a recent storm or from years of wear and tear, you may be wondering if you should call a roof repair professional to fix it. Know that while some types of roof damage are not serious and may only cause cosmetic issues, others can result in excessive water damage, wood rot, mold, leaks, and similar problems. Neglecting these types of roofing problems can result in more costly repairs later on or even a total roof replacement. To determine if your roof is in need of immediate repair, contact an experienced and insured roof repair contractor in your area today.