Expert’s list of some of the common reasons for roof damage

Roofs don't last forever. Over time, they can sustain damage from a variety of causes. If your roof is damaged, you likely want to know what caused the damage so you can prevent it from happening again. Luckily, you don't have to wonder indefinitely.

Here are 3 most common reasons why your roof is damaged.

• Environmental Factors

       1. Roof Damage from Wind and Hail

Wind and hail are some of the most common causes of roof damage. The wind, driving rain and objects like hailstones can all cause dents in your roof. For some time after it occurs, you may not notice any significant effects, but over time the small dents can become holes that compromise your roof's ability to protect your home.

If you see signs of wind or hail damage on your Melbourne roof, contact roof restoration professionals who can assess the extent of the damage and recommend a course of action for repairing it.

        2.Storm

If there was a storm in your area, there's a chance that lightning damaged your roof. Lightning doesn't just strike the tallest object around -- it travels along power lines, plumbing vents or even telephone wires until it finds something that will conduct electricity well enough to go through it. If lightning hits something close enough to your roof during a storm, it may have melted some of the materials inside the attic insulation or burned through the outer layer of your roof tiles. If this happens during a storm, then all of the water that accumulates inside your attic could cause mould to grow, which can damage other parts of your home.

      3. Roof Damage from Heavy Objects on Your Roof

Heavy objects placed on roofs can do serious damage if they slide off or fall off due to high winds. While this may not always be an intentional act, people often will place objects on their roofs to allow them access to gutter or skylight vents or give themselves extra storage space. However, if something is placed too close to the edge of the roof or if it is placed there without secure anchoring. 

•  Poor workmanship

Professional roofers will build a roof so that it lasts. But you would be surprised at how often this isn't the case, even for highly regarded roofing companies. There are so many variables along the way, from the first day of construction through to project completion, that if any one variable is lacking, it can significantly reduce the lifespan of your roof.

If you are working with an inexperienced company, however, these things are easily overlooked. A simple lack of experience could lead to problems with your roof being completed incorrectly, which ultimately affects its lifespan. This could be an inexperienced foreman or supervisor onsite at your property or poor oversight by managers back at their office.

• Lack of maintenance

Clogged gutters can cause leaks on your roof, which will cause even more damage to your home. If you see water pooling on your roof's surface, this is one of the first signs of a clog.

If our roof has trees overhanging your house, they will likely be the cause of the clog. Tree leaves may block the gutters, or tree roots can grow into them, clogging them up. As a result, all the rainwater that hits your roof may have nowhere to go but onto your walls and windows. Before you call up Ashburton roofer for roof repairs, check your gutters for any problems yourself. Are there leaves or debris blocking the flow of water? Is there debris or dirt build-up? Are there cracks or holes where leaves could get in?

You should also consider installing gutter guards that will keep leaves and other debris out.

Rotted or worn out tiles can be another culprit in leaky roofs. These are usually caused by wind damage and wear and tear from weather elements. 

Thus, regular maintenance can help you do away with these issues.