Your roof is the crowning jewel of your home, keeping your structure sound and your family comfortable. But what happens when that very roof experiences damage? It can be stressful to think about, but it’s important to have a plan since roof damage is a common experience.
A roof that has been installed by a trusted roofing contractor should have a warranty.
Below are some of the frequently seen issues and their warning signs, as well as why you should give our professional roofing team a call versus attempting your own repairs.
What to Look Out For
Potential threats to your roof can generally be divided into three categories: weather, algae, and UV radiation from the sun’s rays. Each of these causes will have different red flags to look out for.
Weather
Weather, particularly harsh events, can cause varying degrees of damage to your roof. Storms that bring strong winds may blow off loose shingles, remove gutters, or cause surrounding trees and debris to fall onto the roof.
Sometimes, storms even bring hail. When these ice balls come crashing down from the sky, they can pelt your shingles, leading to dents or even causing the shingle to loosen.
Extreme temperatures can also pose risk for your residential roof. Materials may contract in cold temperatures, then expand in warm temperatures. This continual shift can loosen shingles or cause issues with the membranes and other materials underneath.
All of these issues then pave the way for water to potentially penetrate, causing even more damage.
Algae
Do you spot a slimy, green growth on your roof? If so, then you probably have algae growing! This is a major warning sign that you have accumulated moisture to address. If left untreated, algae can continue to trap additional moisture until it has nowhere to go but in your home.
And because algae is a living organism, it may also break down some of the natural materials used in roofing, which harms the structural integrity.
UV Radiation
Anyone who has ever gotten a sunburn knows the strength of the sun, and your roof is not immune to the power of its rays. Not only can the radiation cause unsightly discoloration, but it can actually damage the physical integrity of your roof by making the shingles stiff.
Without the needed ability to bend and flex, these shingles may begin to crack or turn up at the edges, both of which create dangerous entryways for moisture.
So, Who’s Going to Pay for This?
A majority of homeowner’s insurance policies do cover roof damage, especially from acute events like storms. However, some may deny payment if found that the homeowner has not actually taken care of the roof. When it comes to general wear and tear over time, these issues are typically not covered by your policy.
It’s important to note that in a lot of areas, earthquake and flood insurance are separate policies, but these events can also be obvious threats to your roof, not just the home beneath.
Reasons to Call a Home Improvement or Roofing Contractor
Insurance
In continuing the insurance discussion, some policies may require a professional to perform the repairs in order to actually cover the costs.
Further, professional roofing contractors should hold liability insurance that will protect you as the homeowner if there is any contractor-caused damage or injuries to employees while on your property.
Safety
It’s been estimated that over 100,000 people each year are injured in some fashion from a roofing incident. Whether that’s truly falling from the top to slamming a nail into your hand, there are always safety risks when working on a roof. Professionals are trained and have the proper equipment to be secure while navigating the top of your home!
Maintenance
Using professional roofers also means you have a team behind you to create a realistic maintenance plan that can help mitigate issues before they become major problems. With inspections following weather events, as well as periodic checks, you’ll save time and money in the long run because you can address problems immediately.
This also protects you from your homeowner’s insurance company from arguing that you didn’t properly care for your roof.
Top Rated Home Improvement and Roofing Services
Unfortunately, roof damage is something that many homeowners will have to deal with at some point. Whether that damage comes from the weather, algae, the sun, or something completely out of left field, our team at Excel Home Improvement in Romulus has the expertise and experience to jump into action and get the job completely, quickly and more importantly, correctly done. We specialize in exterior home improvement services to include siding, gutters, soffits and more.
Whether you have just experienced damage to roof or are simply looking to create a care plan for your residential roof, reach out to us today!