Damage to your roof is a nightmare alone- although you have to admit these situations are perfect horror stories for Halloween. Below are the top 6 horror stories about roof damage that haunt homeowners today.
Don’t wait for these scary things to happen to you. Instead, continue reading about the instances other homeowners have been in. And if you want more information, call Best Roofing to talk to our expert staff.
Leaky Roof
The sound of drip, drip, drip in your home can be terrifying. We don’t know any homeowner that likes to deal with a damaged roof. It can be a considerable inconvenience and expense that is unsettling when you don’t know what is happening to your home. A leak is a major repair that you don’t want to wait on – no matter how big or small. Leaving a roof to leak without repair or replacement could lead to devastating results like the ones below.
- Wood-Decay Fungi– A wood-decay or xylophagous fungus is a fungus that digests moist wood, causing it to rot. Some wood-decay fungi attack dead wood, such as brown rot and more.
- Mold Growth– Mold spores aren’t usually an issue unless they live in an area with excessive moisture, like a leaky roof. When mold gets ahold of a building, the health effects will vary. Some people report no symptoms, while others have experienced red and itchy eyes, wheezing, cough, and a stuffy nose.
- Ruined Belongings– Leaking roof water can come down from your ceiling into your house, drip down to your television, and even down the wall that your couch pushes against. Leaks can ruin many belongings.
- Loss of Insulation– High electric bills are another side effect of a leaking roof, as water intrusion is deadly to the insulation in the attic area. Your insulation becomes saturated with water, and it takes a long time, sometimes never, for it to become dry. Suppose a leak repair is put off for too long. In that case, chronic water invasion will deplete the insulation significantly, and your house will lose hot and cool air, resulting in high utility bills.
- Electrical Damage– If your electrical wiring is present in the attic or ceiling, a leaky roof can cause a fire threat from shorted wires. It is highly recommended to turn off electricity to the affected area and have an electrician examine it along with our roofing company.
Stray Shingles Horror Stories
Clearly, heavy rain and robust winds can cause damage to your roof. That damage can include loosening your shingles or even pulling them off completely. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to massive problems if not addressed:
To the naked eye, structural damage to your roof may seem minor. A door or window that’s a little tough to open doesn’t seem like an issue. But this could mean more significant, underlying damage. In addition, hidden damage can cause irreversible, long-term problems to your house that compromise your home’s safety.
Gutters and Downspouts
As far as horror stories are concerned, gutters are often the last thing on a homeowner’s mind. However, in the fall, they can cause quite a bit of roof damage. Fall leaves and other debris piles up over time inside your gutters. Then, if you don’t keep maintenance, check for damaged pieces, and keep them clean, you can quickly face roof problems.
Signs your gutters are clogged…
One of the best things you can do for your roof is to keep your gutters clean and your downspouts clear. Clogged gutters prevent leaves, melting snow, and ice from draining properly, which creates significant heavy pools of water on the roof’s surface. This can generate spillage into your roof and ceilings or freeze over, causing ice dams and additional damage.
It is essential to ensure that downspouts are properly clear and the correct size. For example, if your downspout is pointing directly to the ground, there’s good chance snow and ice will build up and freeze. This causes gutter clogs. Also, if the downspout runs along the ground, it’s just as important to clear the outpour area. Oh, and you should avoid piling your snow near the downspouts and frequently check them after winter.
- See birds or pests lingering around your roof?
- Does water spill over your roof and gutters?
- Do your gutters sag more than usual?
- Are there water stains on the siding of your house?
- Is there plant growth that should not be there?
- Can’t remember the last time you cleaned them?
When your gutters get clogged, water tends to sit on top of the roof because it has nowhere else to go and nothing to trickle down to. Then, when it becomes too heavy for your side of the roof gutters to handle, roof leakage becomes the issue.
Horror Stories of Pesky Pests
Roofs that are not well maintained and damaged are like an open invitation to insects and rodents, whether you like the furry critters or creepy crawlies.
These intruders nest under your loose shingles, bite through your roof, crawl their way into your attic, and chew wiring and piping. Not only can these unwanted guests cause damage to your roof and your home, but they can also open the door to other hazards like fires, leaks, and mold.
The Case of the Vanishing Roofer
Have you ever been in the middle of a roof replacement to find out that your roofers didn’t return? There’s nothing like an unfinished project and losing help with such an enormous task at your house.
Research is vital for locating a roofing company before you sign that check. You want reputable, professional roofers like Best Roofing for such an important job.
Collapsed in the Cold
Cooler weather is nice, bringing snow in some states. But when snow continues to fall, it can pile up; one roofer indicated snow piles on the roof is similar to three or four trucks parked on your roof.
It’s essential to have the snow removed adequately. Removing piled-up snow is crucial in preventing roof collapses. It takes the weight off the roof, strays off water pools, and prevents structural damage and ice dams.
In most cases, snow can be removed from the ground. This is done using a specially designed snow rake for sloped roofs. A snow rake can remove accumulated snow from as far up the slope as the rake will reach, down to the eaves. This procedure effectively removes excess snow and prevents ice dams at the eaves. Of course, it is essential to know that careless or improper snow removal can damage the roofing materials and do more harm than good– mainly if the roof is shingled.
Using anything other than a specially designed snow rake is likely to cause damage to the roofing materials. Additionally, it’s essential to maintain the balance of the roof structure so that snow weight is evenly distributed.
Call in the Professionals for Your Horror Stories and More
Best Roofing is the one to call when you suspect your roof is starting to scare you. We pride ourselves on quality and professional work. You can rest easy knowing the only spooky things at your house this year will be kids in costumes. Furthermore, we understand how important it is to provide your family with a well-structured roof at all times of the year. Call Best Roofing or fill out our easy online form for a free quote!