A lot of things can go wrong with your roof. While it might seem like a simple structure, your roof is more than just decking covered with shingles. A roof is a complicated part of any Austin home or building. Because your roof protects your home in many ways, there is potential for a variety of issues.
Here’s a look at some of the most common roof problems and how to identify them.
Here’s how roofing problems can affect homeowner’s insurance in the Tyler area and what to do to make sure you aren’t stuck without coverage.
Roof Leaks
Let’s start with the problem that probably comes to mind first: roof leaks.
From shifts in your home’s foundation to an aging roof or weather damage, a roof leak can lead to additional damage within your home.
In some cases, a roof leak starts long before you notice water coming into your home. Despite where you finally see the water coming in, the leak could start in another location of your home.
Roof leaks happen in these common areas:
- Underneath damaged shingles
- Near your chimney or around skylights
- Behind gutters
- At flashing points
- Close to vents and pipes
- In low spots on your roof
If you see water leaking through your ceiling, call a roofing specialist right away. Repair the problem before the leak can cause more damage to your home.
Cracks and Blisters
The Austin heat isn’t kind to your roof. Shingles should lay flat. But over time or as a result of sun or extreme weather, blisters and cracks can form on your asphalt shingles.
Some argue that it’s only a cosmetic issue. However, if you notice cracks or blisters on your shingles, this could lead to gaps in the seals of your roofing. When you have gaps, leaks can happen.
Cracks and blisters can be hard to spot from the ground. If you’re comfortable on a ladder, it’s important to check your roof once or twice a year to keep an eye on the condition of your roof.
Hail Damage
In Texas, we deal with damage from hail storms. When heavy storms roll through, we fear how our roofs will weather these storms.
Depending on the type of roof you have, hail damage will show up in different ways.
Look for divots in your shingles. This might look like a loss of the granules on asphalt shingles. Or you might see a clear indentation from the impact of hail.
Also, be sure to check for loose shingles or flashing. Hail can knock a shingle loose or cause the sealant to separate. Leaks happen when shingles come loose shingles or where there are gaps in the sealant.
Tree or Limb Damage
Texas is home to plenty of big trees. They add beauty and shade to your property.
Trees are also dangerous for your roof.
When a limb falls, it can cause severe damage to shingles and gutters. In some cases, the impact from a falling limb or tree can crush a section of your roof–leaving a hole in need of immediate repair.
Keep large trees trimmed away from your roof line. If a limb falls on your roof, check the area right away. Look for shifted shingles, a dent or hole in your roof, or dents in your gutters.
Common Roof Problems Need Quick Action
The good news about common roof problems is that they have common solutions. Doing a regular inspection of your roof can catch problems early before they become an expensive repair – or replacement – down the road.
The Fitz Roofing team handles routine roof inspections in the Austin area. We examine everything from shingles, valleys, all penetrations, chimneys, and skylights. If we find a problem, we’ll recommend a solution to prevent further damage to your home.
Contact us to schedule your roof inspection with the Fitz Roofing experts!
