Did you know there are many different components that will affect the life of your roof?  To help you protect your investment, below is a list of reasons that your roof may suffer an early failure.  

Low Quality Materials

It’s probably best not to use price as a determining factor when choosing your new roof material.  While it is true that paying more does not always get you a better-quality outcome, we highly recommend that you do extensive research on the longevity, durability, and energy efficiency of both the roofing materials and components.  And just as important, the roof installation is not meant to be a beautiful roofscape, there are many layers of materials that are equally important and serve a critical purpose.

Deficient Installation

After you have decided on the best quality materials for your home, you need to take extra care when choosing the roofing contractor to install the new roofing system.  Installing a roof is very delicate craftsmanship that requires a lot of skill and knowledge. Make sure the company is licensed, bonded, and insured.  Next, make sure they have plenty of experience installing the kind of material you have chosen.   Be sure to ask questions, obtain references and go see other work the company has already completed.  

Lack of Maintenance

Just as you take your vehicle to the mechanic for regular maintenance, you should make every effort to have a professional inspect your roof at least once per year.  These regular inspections will help you save money in the long term because detecting repairs early can avoid a bigger, more expensive structural issue in the future.  Proper maintenance will ensure you get the most life out of your roof and avoid premature failure.

Inadequate Attic Ventilation

After improper installation, inadequate attic ventilation is the second most common cause of premature roof failure.  Your attic’s ventilation system allows your home and roof to breathe properly.  Without proper ventilation, damage caused by trapped hot and cold air drastically shortens your roof’s lifespan.  In the heat of the summer, poor attic ventilation can literally burn your roof up from the built-up heat.  This can cause the adhesives in the decking to deteriorate and your shingles to crack or curl.  And in the winter, condensation forms from the heat and moisture from the interior into the cold attic.  This kind of condensation becomes trapped and can cause swelling in the roof decking.  No matter if it’s summer or winter, the roof will fail if the attic isn’t properly ventilated.

Storm Damage

The last common cause of roof failure is when a storm damages a roof. While all the other causes are from installation and neglect, there’s nothing you can do about storm damage.  Wind can rip shingles or whole sections off the roof.  This exposes the decking, leading to rotting and even structural damage.  Storm damage (high winds during thunderstorms, hail, etc.)  is usually seen as an act of God so your homeowner’s insurance will probably pay for a replacement.  It may also cover damage from trees or limbs that fall on your roof during strong storms.

It’s important to invest a few extra hours into researching the material you choose for your roof and making sure you use a reputable roofing professional install your roof.  And, when you finally have your beautiful new roof, make sure you have a yearly roof checkup to ensure your roof system gives you long-term protection for years to come. 

It may be that you can make some repairs and get some more time before you need to replace the roof. However, you may find that repairs won’t be enough. It’s time for a complete replacement. In either case, you need a reputable roofing contractor to do the work.

Contact Premo Roofing for any roof repair, maintenance, and replacement needs you might have.