Causes And Prevention For Roof Damage

By Darin Copeland

Mainly three factors are responsible for Roof damage. They are age, neglect and natural calamities. We are not in a position to prevent the age factor as ageing is the law of Nature. Negligence is something which we can avoid by being systematic. But we human beings take things for granted, though we tend to pay the price enormously later. The result of neglect would be seepages, moisture attack, mildew etc. The vagaries of nature are another factor in front of which we are helpless. Billions of dollars are lost annually due to this.

Proper roof maintenance can prevent roof damage to a great extent. Being the most prominent physical part of your home, it is exposed to sleet, winds, heat etc constantly. The proverb 'one stitch in time can save nine' is completely true in the case of roofs. If you overlook a dimpled shingle, a defaced tile or a clogged vent, the damage may spread to the entire superstructure resulting in untold miseries to you. So it is always better to keep a constant watch on how your roof is responding to forces of nature or ageing process.

Among all the natural forces, hailstorms are the biggest threats to your roof. Often it can also happen that the damages are not so easily visible that you overlook them. Nearby trees sometimes cause roof damage with their falling branches spoiling the roofing material. The vents can get blocked easily due to fallen leaves and other debris from the trees. This prevents proper ventilation.

Mildew and moisture also can slowly deteriorate the roofing without getting noticed. Even a flock of pigeons can cause minimal damages to your roof.

Roof made of asphalt, if taken care of properly can last up to fifteen years. Those made of materials like clay, tile, slate etc can even last longer. The durability of the roof depends on the attitude and enthusiasm of the owner. If he inspects the roof occasionally and does the necessary things to maintain it, its durability increases. Otherwise the need of frequent replacements arises out of deterioration. It is really worth while to get the help of an expert roofer to inspect your roof periodically to assess and report the damages. If the roofer is reliable you can rest assured that your roof is safe. - 29956

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