Your home’s roof takes the brunt of a lot of the forces that are bent on damaging the structure. This constant assault from the forces of nature can take their toll. Take a look at some of the most common roof issues experienced by residents of the Orlando area.
Natural Wear and Tear Over Time
Roofing shingles are designed to last a long time, but they cannot be absolutely permanent. The day-in, day-out effects of even normal, boring weather will still show eventually. If you know that your roof is nearing the end of its expected duration, be sure to keep an eye on the condition of the granules, deterioration around the edges, and overall break-down of materials.
Severe Weather Events
At J. A. Edwards America, we know that the Orlando area can get more than its fair share of nasty weather events. We’ve written about some of those issues here and here. Impact damage from hail and debris, either vegetation or from other compromised structures can happen quickly and almost without warning. We encourage you to make a quick visual inspection after any kind of severe weather event during which objects have been blown around.
Tenting, Billowing, and Blow-Offs
Tenting occurs when individual shingles become slightly lifted from the flat surface of the roof. This effect might occur after a high winds or might be the result of a popped nail or screw under the shingles. When shingles are slightly lifted, even a moderately strong wind can get under the shingles, causing even more widespread lifting called billowing. Both tenting and billowing will eventually lead to blow-offs, when a gust of wind lifts a shingle completely away from the roof, exposing the surface below to further damage. Keep a regular eye on this issue, checking briefly after each particularly windy day.
Moisture Damage
The main function of a roof is to keep out water, which will always find any way in if allowed. Even a slight amount of moisture, whether from leaks in the shingles or around the flashing or from ventilation problems under the roof, can lead to serious and expensive problems. If you notice any kind of moisture issues, contact a professional roofing company right away to address the problem.
Ponding or Puddling
Sometimes the moisture problem goes way beyond a simple leak. Structural issues can sometimes lead to ponding or puddling on a roof, especially a roof with a shallow pitch. This issue presents two sources of damage: water damage and weight damage. Water is heavy and if allowed to remain ponded, can effect the integrity of the materials below.
Contact Us
If you notice any of these problems with your home in the Orlando area, or if you simply want a professional to assess the issue, contact us here at J. A. Edwards America.