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What Are the Top Causes of Roof Damage?

Jun 07, 2021

A close-up image of a damaged asphalt shingle roof with shingles that are coming loose.

Most people don’t think about their roofs often, unless there’s an obvious problem, such as a leak. Unfortunately, waiting until you notice a leak in your attic or water stains on your walls could end up costing you a lot of money in repairs. For this reason, it’s important to be proactive in taking care of your roof. The first step is to learn about some of the top causes of roof damage.

Weather & Moisture

Think about it: Every time it rains, your roof is the first line of defense to protect your home. Rain can easily seep into the roofing substructure if shingles are not up to par. Climates with high levels of humidity can also speed roof deterioration. Hail storms are another significant cause of roof damage, along with the long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. All in all, your roof takes a beating just from being outside.

Age

The typical lifespan of an asphalt roof can range from 15 to 25 years. Of course, a great many factors can influence this range, including weather. But how do you know when your roof is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced? Here are some indicators that your roof is aging:

  1. Leaking and signs of water damage
  2. Curled, cracked, broken, or buckled shingles
  3. Missing shingles
  4. Areas where the roof sags
  5. Missing granules on shingles
  6. Dark spots or streaks on the roof

Poor Maintenance

Your roof needs regular maintenance to keep it functioning at its best for as long as possible. Regular maintenance can include cleaning the gutters, removing leaves and other debris from the surface, and trimming overhead branches. When maintenance tasks like these are overlooked, there’s a higher risk for roof damage to occur.

Improper Installation

You can spend all the money in the world on a roofing system but if it isn’t installed properly, it won’t function as intended. To get jobs done faster, many roofing contractors rely on shortcuts, such as roofing over old shingles, not installing proper flashing, or using poor or no roofing sealants. These can all lead to roof damage and cost you extra money in the end.

Merritt Roofing Combats Roof Damage

If you’re concerned that any of these causes of roof damage might be affecting your home’s roof, contact Merritt Roofing today. With locations in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Fort Mill, South Carolina, we’re uniquely situated to serve a number of local communities. We only install the best roofing products by Owens Corning and are dedicated to providing a seamless installation process, whether we’re completing a roof replacement, roof repair, or a storm damage roof repair project.

Customer Reviews

See What Local Homeowners Have to Say About Us

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Merritt was fantastic. I spoke with several highly rated companies for our replacement and this crew had a great combination of professionalism, value, and just a great personal connection. Victor and the rest of the team made a tremendous impression on my family and me, and the installation was done quickly and with great skill. I hope I never need to replace a roof again, but if I do, it'll be with these folks!
Marshall H.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I had a complicated roof claim! Ryan was knowledgeable and super patient and assuring with what was going to happen during the process. Remember when the claims rep comes to inspect the damages, he is looking out for himself and his company's interests. A good roof rep will have your back, which is exactly what happened. Merritt Roofing bent over backwards to get my roof up with my intense schedule and I am extremely happy with how everything was handled in a very professional way! The new roof looks great and it got a good report by the inspector. Thanks a lot! Highly recommended.
Meme H.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We had a great experience with Merritt Roofing. Ryan Guest was on time and as friendly and helpful as can be. He went out of his way to make sure our roof was taken care of and kept us completely informed the entire time. Couldn't have asked for a better experience for a roofing issue. We definitely know now who to call in the future, thanks Ryan and Merritt Roofing for making it so easy.
Brian C.
Owens Corning
Owens Corning
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Haag
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Providing Assistance With Insurance Claims

Merritt Roofing is owned by a former insurance adjuster, so we know how to help homeowners get a premium new roof for their insurance payout.

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