As a homeowner, you know there’s plenty of home maintenance that needs to be done—but when was the last time you thought about your roof?
It’s something we take for granted, but our home’s roof needs TLC too, just like the rest of the home. Roof damage can happen more frequently than you might think, so regular roofing inspections are vital to protect your roof.
With average roof repair prices averaging around $5,398-$11,044, regular roof maintenance is a small price to pay to avoid having to invest in a new roof.
If you’re ready to start paying more attention to your roof, keep reading to find seven roof problems all homeowners should know about—plus, what to do about them.
1. Roof Leaks
A roof leak is one of the most common problems to watch out for. Leaks can be caused by just about anything, from broken shingles to fallen tree limbs, so you want to watch out for any signs of roof leaks within your home.
In addition to shingles, roof leaks tend to happen around chimneys, skylights, or around the gutters, so watch these areas with care.
This could include water pooling near your foundation, a leaky attic, damp walls, or mildew stains. If you suspect water damage, you’ll want to get it repaired quickly, before the damage gets worse.
Look for a reliable roofing services company that can visit your home and inspect the damage.
2. Clogged Gutters
When was the last time you cleaned your gutters? Unfortunately, this is something homeowners often neglect.
Gutters can quickly get blocked with leaves, branches, or debris, meaning they’re no longer effective at their job—moving water away from your home.
This means if gutters are blocked, your home’s drainage system won’t be able to work prosperity, risking water damage to your roof and foundation. However, this is easily avoided by cleaning your gutters regularly or by hiring a gutter cleaning company.
3. Storm Damage
It’s always a good idea to inspect your roof after a big storm. Heavy rains and strong winds can pull shingles off of your roof, cause damage, or puncture your roof with tree branches.
It’s easy to forget about a storm after it has passed, but don’t take the risk—make sure your home didn’t sustain any damage. Once it’s safe to do so, look for any debris blown onto your roof, damaged shingles, or other storm damage.
4. Cracking and Blistering
Do you live in a hot climate? If so, your roof might be at risk of cracking and blistering from prolonged sun exposure.
This can damage your shingles and weaken the strength of your roof, which is why regular roof inspections are important. If you’re in need of a new roof, make sure you use the right roofing materials for your climate, as this will extend the lifespan of your roof.
While there’s nothing you can do to stop the sun from beating down on your roof, selecting the right materials will give it more resistance to heat.
5. Animal Nests
We love seeing wildlife in our backyard, but one place you don’t want to see animals is on your roof. Some small animals, like squirrels or mice, might try to burrow into your roof to find shelter or hide food.
This will create holes in your roof, which you’ll want to repair as soon as they’re discovered. Although you might think a tiny creature like a mouse can’t do much damage, you’d be surprised at how much mess a family of mice can make over time.
Plus, the sound of animals scurrying on your roof is a nuisance, since many critters are most active at night.
Keep an eye on your chimney as well, as it’s not uncommon for birds to build a nest on top
A good way to keep animals from getting onto your roof is to trim back tall tree branches, so they don’t have an accessway onto the roof.
6. Snow and Ice
In cold climates, snow and ice can be a big problem for your roof. In snowy climates, you ideally want to have a pitched roof, as otherwise the weight of snow can weaken your roof over time.
Ice and snow can also melt into your shingles and refreeze, pushing your shingles out of their position and lifting them up.
Hanging icicles can also be a problem, since they can fall at any time, causing injury or damage.
7. Loose Shingles
If your home’s roof is made of shingles, you’ll want to check it regularly for loose shingles. Shingles don’t last forever, so it’s possible for them to break, wear out, or loosen—this is risky because if you’re missing shingles, you have an opportunity for rainwater to seep into your home.
Shingles can also be damaged by heavy storms, winds, tree branches, and animals. If you replace shingles as needed, this will extend the life of your roof, keeping it strong and durable for years to come.
Watch Out for These Common Roof Problems
Your roof is a huge investment, so you want it to last as long as possible. To protect your home, watch out for these common roof problems.
If you find any issues, have your roof repaired as soon as you can, as this will extend its life. It’s a good idea to find a local roofing company that you can rely on, knowing that help is nearby in case of a big storm of emergency.
Start looking after your roof and you’ll start enjoying the peace of mind that comes from knowing your roof is secure and strong.
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