Roof Failures and Their Common Causes

Whether it’s a shingle or metal roofing system, it serves as your home’s primary defense against weather and other natural elements. So long as it’s cared for and maintained, it should last as long as its expected lifespan. But there are some cases where roofs fail prematurely and this is usually caused by several factors.

Many of these factors are visible and can greatly affect your roof if there was no action taken to address them. But some are less conspicuous than others, which means they’ll slowly deteriorate your roof over time until it compromises its longevity and results in a premature failure.

Fortunately, you can keep your shingle or metal roofing system from having premature failure if you know what to look for. STARR Roofing & Gutters explains what you need to know:

Common Causes Behind Roof Failure

1. Low-Quality/Defective Materials – Even if you’re sure that your roof has been installed properly, it’s possible that it can get prematurely damaged due to the low quality of the materials used. Low quality or defective materials are typically below standard or faulty, which can affect your roof’s performance. It’s not always easy to spot defective materials as they’ll look no different at first. However, they can still be replaced so long as they’re still under warranty.

2. Poor Design – Keep in mind that not all types of roofing systems are built the same. For instance, low-sloped roofs are constructed differently compared to steeped ones, but how they’re built can be done differently for each contractor. And if they’re not designed properly, they can cause a roof to collapse or fail prematurely.

3. Poor Workmanship – Even if it’s designed well, your roof may not be installed properly. Roof failure can happen even during installation, especially if the contractor has little or no knowledge of the process. And if it’s executed poorly, it will cause problems for you later on.

When planning a roof replacement, make sure to work with a trusted residential roofing contractor who has adequate knowledge on which type of system you want to be installed. They should also have the right experience so you can be confident that your roofing system is installed successfully.

4. Constant Structural Abuse – There’s a weight limit to how much a roof can hold, and precise roof inspections and calculations are done by experienced professionals to design the right system for your home.

A roofing structure becomes weak due to storing heavy things that go over the weight capacity or constantly walking over your roof especially if it’s not designed to. It may not be apparent at first, but it will eventually become compromised and fail prematurely. 

5. Inadequate Ventilation – A well-built roof should have enough ventilation to keep the air circulation balanced. If you don’t have enough intake or exhaust vents installed, it can cause heat and moisture buildup which can cause rot to your roof’s inner structure. Rot can slowly deteriorate your roof, and if it’s not addressed properly, it will eventually cause premature failure.

6. Roof Negligence – You might think that it’s okay to not pay much attention to your newly installed roof. But if you neglect your roof’s maintenance for years, its overall performance is affected and can fail prematurely. Lack of maintenance will not only deteriorate your roof and cause it to fail prematurely, but it will also void its warranty and insurance. This can be problematic if an unexpected weather event occurs and significantly damages your roof. Without your warranty and insurance to cover you, you’ll be forced to pay for a full replacement yourself!

Preventing Roof Failure

If you want to keep your roof in peak condition, you’ll need to start thinking about how it can be maintained regularly. If you think you can do this yourself, make sure to take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety. This means wearing non-slip boots, a safety harness, gloves, and other related safety equipment. You may also need a spotter to hold your ladder to keep it steady. Asking a family member or a close neighbor should suffice. 

But even if you DIY the inspection, there will always be some type of damage that can be overlooked by an ordinary person. Such issues can only be spotted and repaired by a more experienced residential roofing contractor. 

If you want your roof to be managed properly, you’ll need help from a trusted professional who offers the right services for the task. You can have routine maintenance checks done at least twice a year, once during spring and another during fall. They’ll do a professional inspection and cleaning while taking immediate action to repair any issues spotted on your roof.

What You’ll Expect With Our Maintenance Services

When you hire us to manage your roof, we’ll conduct a thorough inspection and assessment of your roofing system’s condition. Any issues we find during our roof inspections will be pointed out and recommend any immediate repairs. We’ll also develop a routine maintenance plan that meets your annual budget needs while ensuring your roof’s ongoing performance and structural integrity. 

Here’s what we usually do when we follow our maintenance plan:

1. Look for Leaks Within Your Roof – This means checking your attic and ceiling for water stains or other signs of leaks. Having this on your roof can be a costly repair job if not actioned immediately. But as soon as we spot this in your home, we’ll make the necessary repairs to keep your roof intact.

2. Check Your Shingles/Tiles – Roof failures can be caused by faulty or weathered materials such as shingles or tiles, especially if they’re already loose or about to fall off. During our maintenance check, we’ll inspect your roof for any sign of cracked, curled, or missing shingles. We’ll also check whether your shingle’s granules are mostly in good condition and if the flashing is still intact.

3. Clean Your Roof and Gutters – As part of our roof maintenance plan, we’ll clean your roof to get rid of any moss, dirt, algae, and even weeds that are growing on the surface. This is to protect your shingles or tiles from getting damaged. We’ll also clean off any leaves and debris on your gutter system to prevent it from getting clogged.

If you’re looking for a trusted professional in roof inspections, you can count on STARR Roofing & Gutters to get the job done! Call us at (512) 736-6539 and we can talk about your next project today! You can also fill out our contact form.