MENU < Return to Blog Types of Roof Damage and What to Look Out For December 3, 2021 Your home is your safe haven. Within its four walls you rest, eat, keep warm, stay dry and make memories. However, a house can’t do a whole lot without a trustworthy roof. Every roof, no matter the quality of material or workmanship, will deteriorate over time. Some catalysts accelerate this need for attention and cause more acute damage, though. Whether the negative impact is from wind, hail, or from a storm, let’s look at some of the forces of nature that can impact your roof and the specific signs of damage they lead to. When the Wind Blows The wind is one of the most consistent forces your roof faces over its lifetime. While it likely receives manageable breezes most of the time, every once in a while, a large period of wind gusts may visit your home’s exterior. Furthermore, consistent moderate wind activity also takes a toll on your roof. The accumulation of wind activity is hazardous, for it slowly opens the door to significant damage from severe wind activity before you may know there’s a problem. Signs of roof damage caused by wind include: Damaged gutters Loosening of the nails holding the roof shingles Broken, curling or missing shingles Accumulated debris on the roof, such as branches When shingles are damaged or displaced, your home is exposed to the impacts of the elements. As mentioned, the effects of wind damage are compounding and can quickly worsen. So keep an eye out for any of the signs of wind damage, especially after a day of heavy activity. Hail: Pellets that Pack a Punch Depending on your geographic region, you may see hail occasionally or rarely, but when it arrives, there’s no mistaking it. Varying from the size of pebbles to that of golf balls (and larger!), hail can be very damaging to your roof. Some of the tell-tale signs of damage from hail include: Circular cracks in the shingles Shingles that are missing granules Shallow dents or punctures in the roof Broken or missing shingles In other words, hail can be responsible for damaging or breaking shingles and therefore exposing your roof’s internal structure. In addition, rain and future hail can penetrate below the roof’s surface level and cause problematic and costly water damage. Storms of All Shapes and Sizes Wind and hail are essentially under the umbrella of storms, and any type of storm can be hazardous for your home’s roof. From a storm quickly passing through on a lazy summer afternoon to an intense hurricane, storms bring rain, often wind and sometimes other threatening components such as lightning and hail. After a storm, it’s important to keep an eye out for potential water damage. As a storm can damage your roof’s exterior, water has an opportunity to enter and leak through the roof to the inside of your home. Aside from water entering the home through the roof and ceiling, you may see cracks or stains on your ceiling or walls or loose tiles. This excess moisture can lead to a variety of other problems, ranging from the integrity of the house to personal health concerns. Therefore, it’s imperative to be aware of these potential water damage signs and act upon them as soon as possible. Dealing with Heavy Debris Brought on by storms or not, sometimes heavy debris can cause roof damage. This typically comes in the form of large branches or a tree falling. Depending on the size of the debris, damage can range from a handful of shingles being damaged to a very unfortunate hole in the roof. Of course, any sort of damage to the roof is problematic for the house, but when it risks your safety, it reaches a new level of urgency. Therefore, if considerable damage has occurred, evacuate your home immediately and call an expert to assess the situation. At Diversified Roofing, we’re well-experienced at all kinds of roof damage and are committed to repairing your roof so that it’s safe and effective for you and your family. As a preventive measure, inspect your yard for any precarious branches or trees and have a professional trim or remove them for your safety. The Slow Sizzle of the Sun We all want blue skies and sunny days, but in especially sunny areas, the excessive sunshine and heat can cause damage to the integrity of your roof. As your shingles are the first line of defense on your roof, they are the first to show wear and tear caused by the sun. Bleaching is the first sign: shingles lose their color due to the intense, prolonged rays of the sun. Next, your shingles may either crumble or warp. As shingles crumble and fall to pieces on your lawn, or their edges curl up as they become warped, your roof is left exposed to the elements. Although it’s not one of the types of roof damage you’d typically think of, if you live in a sunny part of the country, keep an eye out for any signs of shingle damage caused by the sun. Moss: More than Meets the Eye Moss is sometimes seen as an appealing growth on the roof. Especially prevalent in areas that experience humidity, moss will slowly grow and spread across your roof, offering a green and wild appeal to your home. While the appearance of moss doesn’t necessarily indicate damage, it could lead to problems in the future if damage hasn’t yet occurred. This is because moss can grow and spread in between shingles, separating them and therefore opening space for water leakage to occur. Furthermore, as moss thickens, it stores rainwater, which could lead to roof rotting. All of this takes time, of course, as moss grows slowly, but it’s something to be aware of. If you experience signs of water damage and haven’t had a storm in some time, check for the presence of moss. Or, if you want to be preventive or pre-cautious, consider calling the professionals to safely and effectively remove the moss and repair any damage it caused. Preparation is the Best Protection Roof damage is no fun for anybody. Whether brought on suddenly by heavy wind or hail or slowly by the sun or moss, a damaged roof is a vulnerable home. The best way to keep your home safe from any future roof damage is to prevent it or repair any damage before it worsens. Our experts at Diversified Roofing can assess your roof and make sure it’s in tip-top shape — contact us today! Related Blogs Types of Roof Damage and What to Look Out For December 3, 2021 Your home is your safe haven. Within its four walls you rest, eat, keep warm, stay dry and make memories.... READ MORE What Professionals Look For During a Roof Inspection November 1, 2021 A roof inspection can be a great way to catch problems early on (otherwise known as a way for homeowners... 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