Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Why Do Roofs Deteriorate?


 There are many reasons why roof materials fail.  It may be from lack of maintenance, damage from storms, weathering from exposure to the elements, or compromised flashing systems. 

 It is very important that you maintain your roof and keep if free from organic materials like leaves and branches.  Organic materials attract moisture, bugs and other debris that can break down roofing material over time, allowing water to seep in.   If you maintain your roofing material by cleaning off the debris including the gutters in the spring and fall, you can extend the life expectancy of your roof and prevent expensive repair bills.

 Storms can cause significant damage to your roofing materials by weakening the fasteners from the roof deck.  Storms can create vacuums of pressure in your home which push up on the bottom side of the roof causing fasteners to fail.  This makes your home susceptible to moderate to strong wind storms. It is important to have your roof inspected after a major storm that involves high wind or significant hail.

 Homes with additions often have valleys and issues where old and new house join.  It is very important when re- roofing your home or repairing your roof that you communicate problem areas to your contractor. This allows the contractor to assess the situation proactively and prevents the new roof or repaired roofing area from experiencing the same issues. 

 Humidity and harsh weather conditions can shorten the life span of a roof and generally cannot be prevented.  It is important to research roofing materials for the climate that you live in.  Homes in arid climates generally have different roofing requirements than homes that are exposed to snow and heavy rains like we get in Minnesota. 

 Flashing problems may cause quick deterioration of your roof because flashing provides a water tight area between roofing materials and other parts of your home.   If flashing fails, it allows water to migrate into attics, siding and other undesirable areas of the home.

 If your roof shows signs of deterioration or water intrusion, it is important to contact a roofing professional.  Midwest Exteriors of Mpls, Inc. provides a free no obligation consultation.  Contact Dan at 763-550-1685, or check us out on the web at http://www.midwestguttermn.com 

4 comments:

  1. Good article i like this because there are many reason of roof leaks and damage and if the home owner is not aware of taking care of the roof then there can be big damages and a huge cost to fix the roof leaks. Thanks for sharing.

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