Strength and endurance are two critical factors for a long-lasting roof. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand the impact of weather damage on your roof and prioritize professional services; by doing so, you extend the life of your roof and avoid needing costly repairs or a replacement.
WHAT CAUSES WEATHER DAMAGE TO ROOFS?
As your home’s protective barrier, your roof is the first affected by outdoor elements. Weather damage is the gradual degradation of roofing materials due to constant UV exposure, hail pellets, high winds, snowfall, and other outdoor conditions. Proper roof maintenance and inspections help you avoid irreversible damage.
Colorado experiences a wide range of inclement weather, from steaming hot summers to freezing cold winters and everything in between. Some of the main factors that cause roof deterioration include:
SUNLIGHT
Your roof’s surface absorbs UV rays daily. Not only does this make it hot and stuffy indoors, but it also leads to increased monthly cooling costs. Since heat seeps inside your home, the AC is pushed to the max to lower indoor temperatures.
Constant UV ray exposure also makes your shingles brittle and vulnerable to expansion, cracking, and splitting. Damaged roofing materials create openings in the roof’s surface. These openings can also lead to a list of other issues, including pests and leaks when it rains.
HAIL STORMS
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported the U.S. experienced 4,611 hailstorms in 2020. Hail damage costs homeowners around the world billions of dollars annually. But Colorado, in particular, experiences frequent hail storms. Hail comes in various sizes and falls at high speeds, which is detrimental to roofing shingles. To make matters worse, hail storms bring powerful winds which can lift roofing materials from the surface. Unless your home has class 4 shingles or impact-resistant (IR) shingles, your roof is susceptible to costly damage.
HEAVY RAINFALL
Heavy rainfall causes pooling on rooftops, which leads to moisture damage. Leaks ruin your roof from the inside out every time it rains. Not only does rainwater warp the roofing materials, but it also contributes to mold and mildew under the surface. This fungus growth taints your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ), which creates health risks, like asthma flare-ups, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions. Roof inspectors can easily locate leaks and nip them in the bud before they get out of hand.
SNOW ACCUMULATION
Snow and extremely low temperatures create ice dams on your roof’s surface. Hours of consistent snowfall piles pressure on the roof deck. Then, as the snow melts, it increases the likelihood of leaks. In terms of the temperature, changes from extreme heat to cold contribute to thermal shock, the constant expansion and contraction of roofing materials as they sustain high heat then freezing cold, which is also damaging to your roof.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ROOF INSPECTIONS
Did you know that some insurance agencies can deny coverage or refuse to renew your policy if your roof is too damaged? Lack of insurance leaves you to pay for repairs or a replacement out of pocket. However, regular inspections allow professionals to spot red flags before they worsen and revert damage early on, helping you remain in good standing with your homeowner’s insurance policy. Sometimes, repairs and reroofing projects are necessary. But on the bright side, they’re less expensive than replacements, and they increase the home’s resale value. Enlist the help of roofing experts to ensure your home is in excellent condition.
STONE CREEK PROVIDES SUPERB ROOFING SERVICES
Roof damage from rain, snow, heat, hail, and high winds may be unavoidable. But when problems arise, Stone Creek Roofing eliminates your roofing worries. First, our contractors perform a free inspection on your roof. After documenting problem areas and gaining clarity of their condition, we mobilize the most appropriate roofing solutions. Your home is in good hands with the experts at Stone Creek. Don’t delay—Give us a call today.
