The best roofing on the best home with the best maintenance is still, unfortunately, vulnerable to some of the common causes of roof damage. No roofing material is completely invincible against natural events, like hailstorms, or the passing of time. With regular maintenance you can extend the life of your roof, and quickly identifying the common causes of roof damage so that repairs can be completed is an essential part of the longevity equation.
Age
One of the most common causes of roof damage is roofing material that is too old to properly function any longer. As shingles get older, they can become brittle, weak and old. Curling and damage on a shingle can also render them effectively useless against harsh weather. If your roofing is so old that you are risking serious roof damage whenever it rains, snows or is windy, you should consider a roof replacement.
Hail and Weather
Did you know that during the 13-year period from 2000 to 2013 United States insurance companies paid almost 9 million hail-related insurance claims totaling over $54 billion? Another report found that over 10.7 million properties across the country were impacted by one or more hail events in 2017 alone. Different types of harsh weather like wind and snow can also take a toll on your roof, but nothing causes direct damage quite like hail does.
Putting Off Repairs
Have you been putting a bucket under a leak in your roof without calling to have it inspected? Did you forget to schedule roof maintenance since you first had your roof installed years ago? If you don’t get roof repairs taken care of in a timely fashion, the damage can continue to the point that you need serious repairs or an entire roof replacement. Annual inspections, keeping the gutters clean and taking care of any problems the moment that you notice them can prevent you from being impacted by one of the common causes of roof damage.
Walking on the Roof
It can be safe to walk on your roof, but if you apply too much pressure to certain roofing materials like clay tiles, concrete tiles or slate roofing, they can break or crack. If you wear spiked shoes or do a poor job at evenly distributing your weight, you can also cause roof issues. To avoid this one of the common causes of roof damage, you can hire a professional for any maintenance or inspection issues that require walking on the roof itself.
Overgrown Trees
If you do not properly trim back tree branches that are dead, dying, diseased or hanging over your roof, you run the risk of them falling on your roof during a severe weather event. Tree limbs can rip through shingles or the roof itself, and they are one of the most common causes of roof damage during hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms and snowstorms.
Fungus and Lichen
Lichen is a common organism that leads to algae growth. If they are left untreated and allowed to flourish, lichen and fungus can become so acidic that they penetrate your roofing material directly and lead to damage. Algae growth is most common on wood and asphalt shingles that do not get much sunlight over the course of the day. Whenever you spot algae or fungus growing on your roof, you should contact a professional to have it taken care of.
Poor Installation
Did you try to DIY your roof installation? Did you lay another set of shingles on top of the damaged ones to get a low-cost roof “replacement” job? Cutting corners can lead to serious roof damage. All roof replacements and installations should be performed by experienced professionals who know how to care for the roof over your head. Whether it is patching a small leak or completing extensive repairs due to a tree limb, Benchmark Roofers can help solve your problem. The money that you save on a low-cost, unskilled or DIY installation is often spent multiple times over in the end when repairs or another roof replacement must be completed.
Do You Need Repairs to Correct the Common Causes of Roof Damage? Benchmark Roofers Is Here to Help
Benchmark Roofers is proud to serve homeowners throughout the state of Maryland in need of high-quality roofing and repairs. Our team of professionals specializes in installing new roofs that offer decades of durability and keep your family safe and dry. We can custom design your roof replacement to perfectly match the old roof or update your home to something new.
Beyond our roof replacement and repair offerings, we can help you cross home improvement projects off your to-do list, including door replacement, gutter replacement, siding replacement, window replacement and roof repair. For a free roof inspection to determine if you need a roof replacement, call us today at (443) 775-3654 or submit the brief contact form below.
