Your roof is the first line of defense in protecting the interior of your home. Our Charlotte weather puts a constant amount of pressure on its performance from the hot sun, rain, wind, or severe storms. These things lead to normal wear and tear, damaged or missing shingles, flashing, damaged gutters, and eventually roof leaks, pooling water, and a new roof.
These things can damage the structure of your home that will ultimately cost you thousands in repairs, having to replace your roof and damage to the interior of your home. And let’s face it, new roofs are expensive. But you can catch the damage before it leads to bigger issues.
Taking care of your roof is an essential part of preventing these costly repairs, protecting the interior of your home from water damage and extending the life of your roof. The best way to do this is by understanding what the most common types of roof damage you can expect. And when you know what causes it, and learn what the signs are, you’ll be able to catch the problem early enough and avoid further damage. This saves you a ton of money and keeps your roof looking beautiful for years longer.
Here are five of the most common types of roof damage Charlotte, NC residents deal with.
#1 Deteriorated Pipe Boots/Collars
One of the most common issues with roofing in Charlotte is when the rubber pipe boots/collars begin dry rotting in the Charlotte sun. This rubber boot is designed to fit snugly around vent pipes protruding through the roof to keep water out of the home. Over time, the sun dries out the rubber, and the rubber cracks. Typically this happens around 8-10 years and is a very common issue.
Having your roof inspected can address this issue before it becomes a source of interior water damage.
#2 Damaged Shingles and Flashing
The shingles on your roof prevent water from reaching the roof deck, keep the structure of your home safe, and prevent water from entering the inside of your home. The flashing redirects water and protects water from entering the openings and cracks on the roof.
Unfortunately, both shingles and flashing get damaged and go missing. Whether it’s normal wear and tear, exposed to constant harsh sunlight, high wind, or storm damage.
Missing, broken or torn shingles and flashing can wreak havoc on the structure of your roof if left unseen.
Here are some common signs that you might have a leak:
- Notice damp walls inside of your home
- Discolored area on the interior walls or ceiling
Regular roof inspections are essential to preventing costly repairs. A trained roofing expert will look for:
- Popped nails
- Curled shingles
- Missing shingles or flashing
- Damaged shingles
- Leaks in the attic
Most often if these things were caught early enough the damage could be repaired, shingles and flashing would be replaced.
#3 Roof Ventilation Issues
When the roof isn’t properly ventilating moisture will build up which eventually causes damage to the shingles and eaves. This damage leads to many problems that include leaking, mold, mildew, and insects and animals in your attic.
Proper roof ventilation doesn’t only extend the life of your shingles, it also helps to reduce the cost of your energy bill.
If you were to touch the ceiling inside of your home on a hot day and the ceiling was warm to touch it’s likely you do not have proper ventilation. Get your roof inspected by a skilled roofing contractor that will properly diagnose and fix the problem by repairing a damaged roof vent or installing new vents.
#4 Trees and Branches
While a fallen tree and limbs are easy to spot after a storm. Some common damage caused by trees and branches is actually from the branches rubbing against the shingles, tiles, and flashing. The branches can cause damage that only gets worse during storms, high winds, and heavy rainfall. The smallest puncture in the roof and roof sheathing can cause severe damage to the structure of your home, roof leaks, and be costly repairs that could have been avoided.
You can avoid this by trimming and cutting trees around your roof. It’s always a good idea to have your roof inspected after a storm if you have a lot of trees around your home.
#5 Storm & Wind Damage
High wind and severe storms can be damaging to your roof, causing loose shingles or flashing to blow off and exposing it to additional damage. Most blow away damage occurs in one section of the roof, but can also happen to an entire side depending on how strong the wind is and its direction.
While you do not have control over the weather, you can reduce the risk of shingles or flashing from blowing away by regularly inspecting the roof for loose shingles, popped nails, and damages.
And you should always have a qualified roofing company inspect your roof after any storm. An experienced roofer has a trained eye that can spot pinhole-sized damage.
In Summary
Proper roof inspection and maintenance are one of the best ways to avoid these common roofing issues. But more importantly, having it performed by a reputable roofing contractor with a trained eye and experience. Vision Roofing is a local Charlotte roofing company that has been helping residents prolong the life of their roofs with proper installation and regular maintenance. Our experience and reliable products are the perfect solutions. Give us a call today for a free roof inspection, 704-312-8558.
