TOP 5 OF YOUR ROOF’S WORST ENEMIES

The roof is a very important part of your house and it plays an important role in keeping you and your family safe from outside elements.  Because of its importance, the last thing you want is a damaged roof that cannot function well, threatening to cause harm not only to you but also damage to the rest of your property.

A roof usually does not require replacement often but there are several factors that could change that.  Your roof, being your first layer of protection is exposed to a number of elements that can help shorten its lifespan.  Because it is mostly out of your sight, you may not be aware of what happens on your roof most of the time. But if you want your roof to last longer, it is important to know about the factors that affect your roof’s condition so you can take the necessary steps in properly maintaining it.  

What are the factors that affect your roof’s condition?

TREES

As much as they add beauty to your landscape and help provide fresh air, trees can also cause damage to your roof.  Especially now that autumn is here, fallen leaves always find their way to your roof and your gutters.  Strong winds can also cause tree limbs to break and branches may land on your roof causing punctures and other damage.

To prevent this, you may want to keep an eye on the trees near your house and trim branches when you think it is necessary.  Gutter inspection is also very important to make sure that leaves do not cause clogging which results in leaks.

MOSS, ALGAE AND MOLD

Moss loves moisture and it is evident during wet climates.  It may look harmless but it can actually cause huge damage to your roof by moistening the tiles and wood underneath resulting in the rotting of your roofing materials.  Moss grows fast and extensively and you want to get rid of it as the early signs start to show up.  You can remove moss by pressure watching your roof.  If your roof is covered in moss, however, that may be an indication that your roof needs more than just simple repair and that it is time to seek advice from roofing professionals.

Algae , on the other hand, are evident during the summer season.  Algae may not be as bad for your roof as moss is, but they tend to retain moisture.  Moisture causes shingles to deteriorate over time, resulting in mold.  Pressure washing may do the trick in getting rid of algae on your roof but to make sure that the problem is addressed properly, it is best to hire roofing experts.

EXTREME TEMPERATURES

Heat causes more damage to your roof than you may realize.  The UV rays from the sun cause damages like blistering and they aid in quick deterioration of your roof.  Hot temperatures cause the roofing materials to expand and during the night, when the temperatures drop, your roofing materials contract.  As this rise and drop in temperature goes on and on, it results in cracking and alligatoring of shingles.

STRONG WEATHER

Regardless of its size, hail can cause serious damage to your roof.  Hail causes your shingles to lose their granules, weakening them.  As they impact your roof, larger ones can be dense enough to leave punctures, resulting in leaks and causing more damage to the rest of your house.  Be sure to contact a Winnipeg roofing contractor right after a hailstorm for full roof inspection.

Strong winds can cause roofing materials to detach from their anchors.  As shingles tear or loosen, the more vulnerable parts of your roofing structure become exposed.  Wind can also carry around debris that can cause damage to your roof during storms.

Heavy rains can create water deposits in your gutters as the granules from the shingles that are being washed away clog your drainage system.  It is always best to check your gutters and consult with a roofing contractor on how to keep a healthy gutter system.  It is also important to make sure that your flashings are secure to prevent water entry that could result in extensive destruction of roofing materials as well as other parts of your home.

Ice storms cause a lot of roof problems.  As snow piles up on your roof, the pressure weighs down roofing materials resulting in damage.  And no matter how icicles make your home look beautiful during the winter, these can cause mold formation, water damage and wood rot if left ignored.  Ice and snow build up, however, can be prevented by making sure that your attic has proper ventilation.

ROOF WORKS

Aside from the ones caused by nature, there are also human factors to the main causes of roof damage.  Roof installation/replacement is a huge investment and the people you choose to do the job for you is critical.  Inexperienced roofing contractors’ sloppy work will just cost you more money in the end.  For roofing needs, All Weather Exteriors is a licensed and certified roofing contractor with highly skilled staff who are properly trained to make sure that you are provided with nothing but quality and efficient service.

As some homeowners may try to DIY roofing projects to save money, they do not realize how much damage they could do and how much money they would have to spend having to hire a roofing contractor to repair these damages in the end anyway.  Leaving all roof works to professionals like All Weather Exteriors will guarantee that you save time and money not to mention the peace of mind that you can get.

When pressure washing your roof as you try to get rid of moss and algae, make sure that it is done properly.  Excessive pressure on your shingles may cause them to lose the granules that serve as your roof’s protection from sun damage.

In addition, during the holiday season, homeowners install different types of decorations on their roof such as lights and blow-up reindeer’s.  Installation of these decorations add pressure to the roof, and installing them means people need to walk around on your roof, resulting in damage to your shingles.

Your roof protects everyone and everything in your home.  For your roof to provide you with the protection you need, it needs to be properly maintained and taken care of.  All Weather Exteriors is a roofing contractor that is leading in Winnipeg roofing.  We have some of the best roofing experts working in our team.  We can provide you with the best recommendations when it comes to roofing and all your home exterior needs.

Call us: (204) 510 2959

Send us an email: info@allweatherexteriors.ca

Photo Credits: www.truguardconstruction.com