Do you know what’s over your head?

Your roof is key to protecting you, your family, and all your great stuff from the elements. A damaged roof will let you down in a number of ways, and can be a huge expense. So, let’s take a look at what causes wear-and-tear to your roof, and how you can tell if your roof is damaged.

Roof damage.

Five common causes of roof damage

1.     Weather. Here in Iowa, this is a biggy. Wind, intense heat and hail can do a number on your roof.

·      Wind: Shingles loosen, curl or fall off in heavy wind, and that exposes the roof deck underneath to water damage. Eventually that water will seep into your home.

·      Intense Summer Heat: Most roofing materials expand and contract with changes in temperature, causing shingles to crumble, break and fall off. That, again, leaves your home exposed to the elements.

·      Hail: Hail basically weakens your roof by creating holes in the roofing material. If not repaired, they will worsen and give water an opportunity to cause even more damage.

2.     Improper Installation. 

Yes, repairing or replacing a roof is an expensive undertaking, but you won’t save anything going with an inexperienced contractor who does poor work. A number of things can go wrong: roof flashing incorrectly installed; roof valleys and joints unsealed; and incorrect measuring and fitting of features such as skylights. Each of these issues can cause leaks and water damage.

3.     Pests. 

Termites, rodents and birds can all cause damage to your roof. Termites are especially notorious since the signs of infestation aren’t always obvious; in fact, termites can be causing damage for years, invisibly eating away at the roof’s structure, until your roof is about to collapse.

4.     Age. 

Regardless of the type of roofing materials you use, roofs do eventually age. Here’s how long common types of roofing should last, with proper maintenance:

·      Asphalt Shingles: 15 – 30 years

·      Metal Roofs: 40 – 70 years

·      Slate Tiles: 75+ years

5.     Poor Maintenance.

The key to getting the most life out of your roof is proper maintenance. A roofing contractor can perform periodic roof inspections, and make necessary repairs before they cause extensive damage.

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Concerned about the condition of your roof? Give All Iowa Roofing, the exterior experts, a call today, or get your free consultation here.