The roof of your house is an important piece of its exterior shell. It not only protects your home from the weather elements but also enhances the curb appeal and the resale value of your house. It’s your home’s first line of defense, and work hard to keep you and your family safe. Even if you do not live near the coast or your house does not face hurricanes often, the weather can still affect your house.
Whether it is over the course of time or suddenly, weather can wear out the pricey investment that keeps you safe indoors. Your roof has to endure a lot and is affected due to different weather conditions that can wreak havoc on it no matter the type of roof. Thus, it is important to pay close attention to how different weather conditions can impact your roof to reduce the chances of costly repairs or even a complete overhaul of the property.
Five Weather Conditions that Affect Roofing Systems
- Rain – Most homeowners downplay the damage caused due to rain as they are quite common. Even small and unnoticeable leaks in the roof can cause significant damage due to the heavy and consistent rainfall. Heavy rainfall can infiltrate weakened areas and create a pool of water on the rooftop leading to moisture damage inside the house.
- Sun – The roof of your house is exposed to ultraviolet rays every day. Even the most sun-resistant roofing system will eventually get affected by the rays of the run. Constant exposure to the sun’s rays can cause the shingles to crack. Extreme heat can cause the roofing materials to shrink, causing huge damages.
- Wind – You do not always need a tornado or hurricane to damage the roof. Strong winds can loosen shingles and tiles and cause them to break. The area is then left exposed to further weather elements leading to bigger problems. Strong winds can also hurl debris onto the roof and cause tears, punctures, and other problems.
- Snow – It may seem like snow does not cause much of a problem for your roof as it offers a barrier, and it will take a lot of snow for it to collapse. But, the real problem with the snow starts when it starts to melt. It creates ice dams at the edge of the roof and can cause moisture to enter the shingles and flashings. It can wear down the fragile roofing materials. since the damage often gets covered by snow, you might not notice it until the roof starts to leak.
- Hail – Even though hailstorms are not as common, they can be worse than rains. This fast-hitting hail can cause the shingles to wear down and even fracture them. Once an area is fractured, the area under the shingles gets exposed too. If the problem is not fixed, the next rainfall will cause it to leak in the damaged area.
While there is not much you can do to avoid damage to the roof due to bad weather; it is important to keep an eye on it for any potential problems. Contact a roofing expert if you are fearful your roof cannot stand up to the weather conditions mentioned above. They can help detect any problem with the roof and fix them before they get any worse. By ensuring that your roof is well maintained, you can prevent damage to your roof.