What New Home and Business Owners Should Know About Roofs – Part 2: Signs of Roofing Damage
By Stacy MelleteNo matter what it’s made of, a roof will always be prone to damage from the elements, what with constant exposure to the heat of the sun, harsh winds and fluctuating temperatures all playing a role in its deterioration.
You may not be able to prevent roofing damage completely, but, fortunately, you can certainly keep it from spreading. As an added bonus, repairing minor damage will definitely cost less than having to repair large sections or replacing the entire roof.
Before you get some repairs done, however, you need to know what roofing damage looks like.
Signs of Damage in Flat Roofs
In flat roofs, the most common problems begin with blisters, pooled water and small holes in the roofing material.
Blisters are usually a result of moisture or air trapped underneath the material. Correcting this error may require a new coating on the blistered area.
If water pools in a certain area of the roof for more than 48 hours, this is most likely due to poor or inadequate drainage. When you let water stand for an extended period, it can weaken the material, resulting in premature deterioration.
Holes or tears in the material, on the other hand, can be caused by different factors, such as heat from the sun or physical pressure on the material. It’s important to have these repaired as soon as possible, as water can seep into the holes and create further damage.
Signs of Damage in Sloped Roofs
It’s a bit more difficult to spot problems on sloped roofs because you can only observe them from the ground. However, you may be able to spot these problems from a distance:
- Loose or missing shingles
- Peeling paint or rust formations on a metal roof
- Deformed areas caused by strong winds or debris
If you do identify roofing problems, make sure to have them corrected as soon as possible. If not, there’s a good chance that the problem will spread and knock off precious years from your roofing system’s lifespan. Need help? Don’t hesitate to call a roofing expert to conduct an inspection for you.