3 Things That Are Slowly Damaging Your Roof
A good roof can withstand years of wear and tear, and even last longer than its warranty period. However, some issues can crop up, and you’d have to part with a lot of money to fix them.
Unfortunately, identifying the signs of a roof problem early can be difficult. But if you know what can trigger such issues, you’ll be keen to keep a close eye on your roof’s condition.
Working together with your roofing contractor should help keep certain roof problems at bay. You won’t have to risk injury by climbing up the roof yourself for a first-hand inspection. Take a look at three things that could potentially damage your roof.
1. Hail
Large-sized hail can wreak havoc on your roof – even going as far as puncturing through your roof on impact. The sheer force of impact can quickly degrade your roof’s structural integrity.
Every time hail strikes your roofing material, the bond between individual granules and the protective roofing layer weakens and disintegrates. The disintegration process might take some time, but you might still have a hard time recognizing the signs of trouble.
After the granules weaken, you can expect your roof to start leaking whenever there is rain. Your roofing expert might suggest roof shingle installation to protect against hail impact. Shingles can absorb the impact force from a hailstorm due to their flexible physical structure.
2. Moss and Algae
Moss is gentle to the touch and can hold large amounts of water when it grows on your roof. Accumulated water can cause extensive roof damage by the gradual weakening of the roofing structure. Also, moss is quite an eyesore and lowers your home’s curb appeal. Luckily, moss is easily preventable if you’re able to notice the early signs of growth.
While algae isn’t as dangerous on its own, your roof can suffer devastating results if both algae and moss grow on your roof. The resulting layer absorbs and holds large amounts of moisture on the roof surface.
With trapped water on the surface, your roof starts to slowly waste away as time passes. Also, any water held in the shingles freezes during winter. The frozen water creates bigger spaces between shingles and tiles, creating a pathway through which moisture can leak from during the warmer months.
To prevent both moss and algae growth, your roofing contractor might suggest that you install algae-resistant roofing. But if a complete overhaul isn’t an option, you could schedule regular roof inspections with your contractor to keep an eye on gradual issues that might come up.
3. Heat and UV Rays
Ultra-violet rays (UV) and heat from the sun are constant threats to your roof’s condition. Once the harmful rays hit your roof, they break down your roof material and crack the roof shingles over time. Constant exposure to UV rays will also destroy your gutters and downspouts.
Intense heat from the sun causes your roofing shingles to expand during the day. At night, when temperatures are cooler, the roofing material quickly contracts. Repeated expansion and contraction of your roofing materials place great strain on your roof over time.
Coupling both heat and UV damage, your roofing material eventually cracks and degrades in quality. Having a protective layer helps reflect UV rays away from your roof and slows down the effects of gradual wear and tear from the sun’s heat.
Your roof’s condition dictates a lot about your home’s overall appearance. Therefore, you should always ensure that your roof remains in good standing for longer. If you suspect any problem with your roof, be sure to contact us at Newman Roofing & Remodeling.