Owning a house is a part of the “American Dream” for most people. It’s the place where families grow, and people build a lifetime of memories. Your house is also a sound investment that, with proper care, can grow in value over the years. But all homes require essential maintenance and upkeep to keep them structurally and mechanically sound. That includes periodic inspection of the roof system to prevent premature deterioration and decay.
Understanding the Roof System of Your Home
The wood beams of your home are protected on the top by an entire roofing system. In addition to the shingles visible outside your home, there are sub-roofing platforms under the tiles that shield the house from the elements. Because there is a sub-roofing system, roof shingles can become damaged, and water can penetrate the home without the homeowner knowing something is amiss.
Looking for Roof Damage
Most roof systems can last for 30 to 40 years. However, severe storms and other infiltrations can prematurely age parts of the roof. The main areas that should be inspected for roof damage are the roof’s shingles, eaves, and vent systems. Roof tiles that are damaged can often be noticed during a visual inspection. While damaged areas can be detected by viewing the roof through binoculars, some are only discovered after a thorough inspection by a professional roofer.
Tiles damaged by hail may show punctured pockets, indents, and chipped tiles. Tiles infiltrated by mold or sub-roof water damage will often buckle and appear raised in contrast to the other roof tiles. If any of these signs appear, it’s advisable to carefully examine the area. Damaged areas should be repaired, including any damage to sub-roofing and roof shingles, where needed to prevent further damage.
The Serious Risks of Unattended Roof Damage
While it may appear that roof shingles will offer undeterred protection against the elements, roof shingles can become damaged in storms and can decay and be permeated with external debris, moss, and mold over long periods. If any of these things occurs and is not taken care of, the roofing system can begin to break down. This allows water and mold to enter the sub-roofing and begin to rot the wood. Over time, if the repairs are not made, the sub-roofing can collapse, leaving the house at risk for bats, birds, insects, and other animals to enter.
Water and mold permeation can cause extensive damage to your home’s structure, walls, floors, and electrical system. Once mold infiltrates the structure, it can become a serious health hazard without remediation. As the moisture builds, mold can spread throughout the attic and into the rest of the house.
If you are concerned about the condition of your roof system, a thorough inspection by a professional roofer can help ensure that it’s good shape. Roof inspections and minor repairs, when needed, can help protect against small areas of damage becoming more costly to repair when they become more widespread.
Contact our experts at Washita Roofing & Construction for roof inspections in the Norman, OK area.
