Home Improvement Appliances

The Place to Find Design and Decoration News
September 1st, 2010 by Elizabeth Bishop

5 Things That Can Damage Your Roof

Ongoing roof maintenance is an absolute necessity if you want to prevent damage that can affect the structure of your home. Biyearly inspections can catch many common issues in time to save thousands of dollars in repair costs. Here are the top 5 problems that lead to roof damage:

  1. Shoddy construction may include improper design, inferior materials, flashing problems and unfinished jobs. Improperly installed vents or gutters can leave critical areas of your roof vulnerable to the elements. This type of error generally becomes apparent within the first couple of years after installation. Anytime moisture builds up or water stains wood in the attic, it’s a sign that something that needs to be fixed.
  2. Sunshine deteriorates shingles over time and makes them crack. UV rays will gradually dry out asphalt and create pathways for moisture to penetrate the roof and into the attic.
  3. Weather can create damaging hail, high winds, pooling of rain water (improper drainage from clogged gutters), ice heaves (freezing) and moisture buildup from humidity (improper ventilation). 
  4. Animals including squirrels, mice, birds, and raccoons can do damage to your roofing and gutter system as they forage and build nests around your home.
  5. Tree limbs that grow too close to your house can scrape and tear up roofing tiles very easily in even minor winds. Branches should be periodically pruned at least 5 to 10 feet away from your roof. Regardless, blown debris from trees may still do damage during any wind or heavy rainstorm.

Similar Posts:

Share

Tags: Roof

Leave a Reply