Your roof keeps your home and your family protected from the elements all year long. It stands strong against wind, water, falling branches, and extreme heat. But even the strongest roofs will see their fair share of damage in their lifetime. As a South Carolina homeowner, these are the five most common types of roof damage you should be on the lookout for.
Water Damage
South Carolina sees an average of 40-80 inches of rain across the state each year. When water bypasses the protection of the shingles, it seeps into the interior roofing materials and causes them to expand. Water can also leak through these roofing materials and into your attic, or down the walls of the inside of your home. Water damage leads to mold and mildew, which is not only an expensive fix, but also a health risk.
Broken Gutters
One of the most common roofing issues can be spotted without ever having to get on a ladder. Gutters that are not anchored to the side of the house correctly, are bent, distorted, or are falling off can directly impact the way your roof handles the next South Carolina rainstorm. When gutters aren’t working correctly, water cannot properly drain off of your roof and could cause a variety of different problems. Routine maintenance, including clearing your gutters of dirt and debris, will help them do their job and keep your roof in peak condition.
Worn Down Shingles
Your shingles serve as a protective barrier between the fragile interior roofing elements of your home and the harsh natural elements outside. Shingles are explicitly designed to protect the roof from rain, hail, and extreme heat. Over time, these can become bent or warped, which leads to insufficient protection of your roof. A strong wind could blow your shingles away, or a low hanging tree could brush the granules off the shingles, making them less effective.
If you notice that you have a small area where your shingles are broken or bent or are starting to curl, this could be fixed easily by a roofing professional in a single visit. However, if you begin to notice larger areas of your roof that need replacement shingles, it might be time to look at a roof replacement.
Structural Issues
While shingle-related roofing issues are typically no cause for immediate concern, structural problems are a whole other story. If you notice that the physical structure of your roof is starting to bend, dip, buckle, or tip, you need to call a roofing expert right away. In addition, if you begin to notice that doors and windows aren’t opening and closing like they used to, that your floor is warping, or there are exposed gaps between walls, you may be looking at a severe structural problem.
It is highly recommended to contact roofing experts so they can identify the source of the problem. Structural damage happens when support beams start shifting, which could be caused by a number of different issues, both internal and external. Reach out to our team at Homewerx to schedule an inspection.
Stagnant Water
One roofing issue that has become more common in recent years is stagnant or pooling water on a roof’s surface. In modern homes with flat roofs, improper drainage of a roof can lead to water sitting in one area for an extended period of time. This can weaken the exterior roofing materials and allow water to seep through cracks, causing mold, mildew, and other frustrating roofing problems. Before you buy a home with a flat roof, ensure that it was built correctly and with a slight slope so that water can drain off of it correctly.
Water left to pool on your roof can reduce the longevity of your roof and attract insects. It can also become a breeding ground for mold and expedite the deterioration of your roof’s coating and materials. If your home has a flat roof, it is important to check for pooled water after a heavy rainstorm. You can see most of your roof from the ground, but if there are areas that are out of view, it is recommended to call a roofing expert and have them carefully inspect for stagnant water.
Debris from trees can also cause water to pool in the valleys of your roof, which can lead to mold and mildew and cause water to back up underneath shingles, creating leaks. In addition, excessive debris also causes the shingles to wear out much faster. This could cause you to need a large repair or even a replacement sooner than you had anticipated.
Homewerx Is Here to Help!
The safety, security, and health of your family depend on the structural integrity of your roof. If you are experiencing any of these five common types of roof damage, call Homewerx today. Our expert contractors will inspect your roof and come up with a plan to mitigate any existing issues and prevent future roofing problems. An inspection will leave you feeling confident that your roof is equipped to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
