From water damage to cracks, tears and punctures, we explain briefly the common types of roof damage.
Many homeowners take their roof for granted. They spend for a kitchen renovation, a living room revamp, and even a garage overhaul. Almost always, however, they overlook the maintenance of their roof.
The roof is one of the most vital parts of your home. It provides you, your family, and your belongings protection from harsh weather conditions, and it keeps you safe and comfortable amidst extreme Australian weather elements. However, your roof is also the most exposed part of your home. If not taken care of, it can fall prey to significant damage, and before you know it, it could be too late and costly to repair.
Common Roof Damage to Look Out For
Being observant definitely pays. Here are the most common types of roof damage that you should look out for and address.
1. Water Damage
Water damage is probably one of the most common roof problems, and one of the first symptoms of moisture damage is a leaky roof.
A leaky roof will leave discoloured spots on your ceiling which are actually mould rings. Worse, water damage can already be present even without these unsightly water spots and rings, and that is why roof maintenance is vital.
There are many reasons for a leaky roof, and that is why merely closing a hole in your roof may not be the right fix. It can inadvertently lead the water to another spot in your roof, thereby spreading the damage.
Any of the following can cause the leak in your roof:
Damaged shingles
Roof features such as chimneys or skylights
Valley damage
Failed sealants
Loose roof tile
Warped flashing
2. Mould and Algae Damage
Allowing mould and algae to develop and grow can reduce the lifespan of your roof. Most residential roofs can last 20 to 50 years if maintained properly. Ignoring mould in your roof and taking no action can significantly damage the integrity of your roof.
Mould often has a distinctive smell and slimy appearance, but be aware that dry rot can be difficult to detect, and will usually look like black or dark green patches. Mould results from the presence of moisture or water.
Algae, which are usually greenish-black in colour, can eat away at your roof shingles. It is most common in your gutters where water is present. Humid and damp areas are common algae breeding grounds.
When left untreated, mould and algae growth can lead to more serious roof damage and leaks.
3. Broken and Loose Shingles
Strong Australian winds can easily loosen your roof shingles, especially those that are have not been properly installed by a roof professional. Strong winds, in addition to damaging weak flashing, can blow off your shingles, leaving some sections of your roof bare and naked. It can tear off your shingles, warp them, lift them, or curl them up.
Debris from trees can also tear away your roof shingles. A major storm, hail, and extreme weather can wreak havoc on your roof. Damaged shingles can increase your chances of having a leaky roof, damaging the interior of your home, and making the repairs more complicated. It can also result in moulds and rot, which can affect the integrity of your roof.
4. Cracks, Tears, and Punctures
The poor design of your roof can lead to cracks and splits. Careless roofing contractors or painters visiting your roof can cause tears and punctures. Debris from trees or those brought on by storms can also leave tears and punctures in your roof. Punctures caused by debris during a storm are all the more hazardous because heavy rainfall can bring serious leaks into your home.
Roof punctures are caused by sharp pressure that leaves a hole through your roof. What makes punctures and tears dangerous is that they are easy to miss. When left unchecked and unrepaired, they can let moisture seep in and cause further damage to the roof membrane.
Symptoms of Roof Damage
You may not think that your roof has a problem until you find the floor pooled with rainwater. It’s impractical and a little irresponsible to wait for the damage to be too much that a simple repair won’t be able to fix it. Be on the lookout for these early symptoms of roof damage. The sooner you can identify the damage, the sooner you can find and implement the right solution.
· The roof leaks when it rains.
A leaking roof is probably the biggest giveaway that your roof is damaged and needs some tender loving care. Take even the smallest of leaks seriously as they can still get unwanted moisture in between your roof’s membranes. The deterioration of your roof can spread quickly if you ignore these tell-tale signs of roof damage.
· Light comes through the roof.
Only holes of significant size can let the sun shine noticeably through your ceiling, but light will come in through even the smallest holes and even thin patches. This is one of the most obvious signs of roof damage, but also one that is most overlooked.
To check if your roof has holes, you need to get into the crawl space. Turn off all the lights, close all windows and blinds. If you still see some light in your ceiling space, your roof definitely has holes.
· There are stains and discolouration in your ceiling.
Continuous leaking can result in some visible signs on your ceiling and walls. These drips of water take with them dust and dirt which can discolour the paint of your home’s interior. The stains can come in brown, grey, or yellow colour. They appear as unsightly circular rings on the ceiling and ugly streaks on your walls.
· Your ceilings are sagging.
Water damage left unchecked can result in a sagging ceiling, which means a significant amount of water has pooled in the same area.
· Your electricity bill is increasing.
Just as water can get in through the holes in your roof, air and heat can also escape through them. Your heating and cooling systems have to work overtime when there are temperature leaks. If your electricity bill keeps increasing, you might want to check your roof for holes.
Contact Sydney Roof and Building Supplies for High-Quality Roofing Supplies.
If you’re looking for high-quality roofing materials to replace damaged sections of your roof, Sydney Roof and Building Supplies is your one-stop-shop. We offer only the best roofing supplies at wholesale prices. From roof tiles to scaffolding to roof paint, we have the roofing product that you need. Call us today on 02-8090-3483 for enquiries.
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