Are you the owner of the home that you live in? How long has it been since you had a professional inspect your roof and check it over for any potential faults? For far too many homeowners, "never" is the answer to the second question. These people are then surprised when their roof suddenly starts to leak. At first glance, there may seem to be nothing wrong with your roof to merit worry, but that is also what other homeowners thought just before they had to deal with getting their roof fixed. Here are some relatively common but sometimes subtle ways that things can go amiss when it comes to your roof:
Curling shingles: Although obvious in later stages, shingles that are starting to curl may be easily overlooked at first. Asphalt shingles tend to start to curl as a result of age and heat — with too much heat causing the shingles to age prematurely. For instance, if you have a bathroom with a vent that was accidentally covered over during the last roof repair, the bathroom's moist and heated air may be forced to vent into the attic or crawlspace area instead of outside. The excess moisture can cause the surrounding wood to start to rot while the heat may damage the shingles more directly.
Tree damage: A tree doesn't need to drop massive branches onto your home to warrant a roof repair. In fact, anything larger than a small twig can cause damage to your shingles. This damage isn't going to be obvious from the ground and you may not even be aware that the branch hit your roof at all, but over time these branches may poke holes in older shingles and may knock the protective pebble-like aggregate away from the surface of new shingles. If you have a tree near your home, it's a good idea to have your roof inspected every few years just in case.
Hailstones: If you live in a place where you've ever gotten hail, chances are good that the hail may have damaged your roof. Similar to falling tree branches, larger hailstones can also damage the layer of protective pebble-like aggregate that covers asphalt shingles. Unlike tree branches, however, the damage is more widespread. Fortunately for you, if you can successfully document that you are in need of roof repair as a result of a hailstorm, this may be something that is covered by your homeowner's insurance.
If you're looking for help with a roof inspection, or are in need of a professional roof repair, turn to a company like The Roof Doctor for services today.