Your roof rests on top of your home, and it protects your home. It can be easy to forget about your roof; however, it is important to be aware of all the different things that regularly damage your roof. This will allow you to protect your roof and be mindful of how quickly your roof is wearing down.
Overgrown Trees
When it comes to potential causes of roof damage, you need to be careful with trees. A tree doesn't have to fall on your roof to damage it. Having branches from nearby trees overhang on your roof can be just as damaging. When branches overhang on your roof, they can lead to more debris building up on your roof. This debris can cause moisture to build up on your roof and create the perfect mold conditions to thrive. Additionally, the branches can hit your roof, wearing down the shingles at an accelerated rate, and they can even puncture your shingles, allowing water to get into your home.
This can be prevented by cleaning debris off your roof and by pruning back tree branches so they don't cause damage. Get a roofing professional out to inspect and repair any damage caused by the trees before you cut them back.
Moss and Lichen
Two things that can grow on your roof are lichen and moss. Lichen creates a crusty look of growth on your roof. It doesn't grow that fast; it takes time to grow and spread, making it easier to spot. Moss has a softer look to it, and it tends to grow at a faster rate.
Both moss and lichen can lock in moisture on your roof. This can result in damage to your shingles and lead to wood rot and structural damage.
The good thing is that a roofing professional can kill and remove any moss and lichen from your roof and prevent further damage from occurring.
Wind
Strong windstorms can also do a lot of damage to your roof. When a strong windstorm comes through, it can pull and lift up the shingles from your roof. When this happens, the underlayment on your roof is exposed, which can lead to a roof leak. The edges of your roof tend to take the most damage from windstorms, but damage from a windstorm can impact all areas of your roof. If you suspect your roof was damaged in a windstorm, you are going to want to get a roofing professional out right away to inspect your roof.
Overgrown trees, moss and lichen, and windstorms are three natural things that can do some serious damage to your roof if you are not proactive. Keep your trees trimmed back from your roof and get your roof inspected for damage. If you spot moss or lichen, get a roofing professional to clean your roof up. Finally, if a strong windstorm damaged your roof, take care of the damage immediately. Contact a company that offers roof repair services to learn more.
