Common Roof Damage Issues In Georgia

Atlanta area homes experience a wide variety of weather throughout the year. This causes stress to the average roof in numerous ways. How often do you need to maintain your roof and why? We recommend that every homeowner does a roof inspection and maintenance check every 3 to 5 years.

Most roofing material is built to withstand average weather conditions for 25 or even 30+ years. However, the reality is that not every part of your roofing system is going to last this long. You increase your chances of preventing leaks and extending the life of your roof by doing routine maintenance. After many roof replacements and repairs, we’ve put together a list of some common roofing issues.

1. Weathered Roof Sealants

Temporary repairs used as permanent repairs are the most common improper repairs. For example, roofing mastic, roofing cement or tar is often used to permanently repair roofing materials; however, they will crack within a year. Another common example is when caulk is used to seal broken roofing material rather than replace it.

Sealants are typically silicon based caulking that keeps water from getting in. Sealants are typically used when flashings are not tight enough, when there is a joint between flashings, or when flashings are fastened with nails. Sealants will crack and deteriorate over time and allow water penetration causing a leak. In addition to making sure that your roofer has used the highest quality sealant is imperative; ensuring that this sealant remains strong every year is a must. If you are waiting to see a leak before contacting a local roofer then you are being reactive instead of proactive. Chances are, by the time you see the leak, water has already been getting in for some time. Common issues that arise from sealants deteriorating are mold, and wood rot. We recommend having a professional roof inspector conduct an annual roof inspection.

2. Improper Flashing Repairs

Flashing, usually made of galvanized or copper metal, are designed to direct water away from roofing materials, most commonly near penetrations and valleys. This is done during installation by placing the top edge of the flashing directly under the base layer and then placing the bottom edge of the flashing directly on the roofing material below. However, as the connection deteriorated, the underlying seams, nails, and seams were exposed to the natural elements, resulting in an area of severe leaks.

3. Wind Damage & Shingle Creasing

Roofs are very susceptible to wind damage, in part because high winds do not hit roofs uniformly. Rather, wind tends to cause damage to the edges of the roof, or areas of the roof that are already loose. These loose parts of the roof are easy targets because winds can more easily rip up loose shingles, causing a chain reaction. Roofs are commonly damaged by falling objects and debris as well. Eventually, after prolonged wind damage, your roof can start to leak or rot due to water exposure.

Strong winds can get up under roof shingles causing the edges to lift. The resulting gap can leave underlying roof materials exposed to moisture during hard-driving rains. Also, the damaged shingles may eventually tear off if not replaced. Roofs may exhibit loose or missing shingles, chimney problems, curling or peeling shingles, granule loss, damaged soffit or fascia, and indoor leaks as a result of wind damage.

Call us if you’ve recently had gusts of 45 mph or more, and we’ll come out and complimentary inspection of your roof for wind damage.

4. Damage From Hail

Hail and high winds cost about $15 billion in damage in the U.S. each year. This accounts for about 40% of insurance claims and has resulted in damage to hundreds of homes. Costs associated with hail damage can add up quickly because hail can affect nearly everything outdoors, including your car, windows, and roof. Some signs of hail damage are obvious, such as broken windows or a dented car.

But it’s the tiny, imperceptible hail damage that a trained eye needs to spot. Even if your roof doesn’t have any obvious holes due to hail damage, you may still need to do a hail damage roof inspection to help with insurance claims in order to cover any necessary roof repairs.

If a storm brings hail that is over one inch in diameter, the hail damage to your roof will probably be obvious. When hail is combined with high wind speeds, roof damage can be even more severe. It’s likely that you will be able to see signs of damage such as cracked or broken windows, damaged siding or dented gutters. Smaller hail can cause unseen damage to your roof, so make sure you contact a licensed roofer in your area to inspect your roof after a hailstorm – no matter how small the hail was.

Calling In An Expert

No matter what kind of roofing problem you are having, you need to address it as soon as you possible before it incurs additional problems and expenses. Be on the lookout for the roofing problems mentioned above and be sure to do something about them at the first sign of trouble.

If you are looking for a roofing company in Buford, GA, we are the leading roofing contractor in the area. We offer a wide range of residential roof repair services as well as complete roof options that will protect your family and your investment. We offer free roof inspections and estimates. We’re licensed, insured, and local. If you want to find out more about how we can help you, please get in touch today by giving us a call: 678-288-9269