What You Can Do to Protect Your Roof

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St. Louis is known for severe weather and extreme temperature swings, from below freezing to heat above 100 degrees. These punishing conditions can cause serious damage to your roof. This is why it is so important to get regular inspections. They can ensure that your roof is in good condition and free from anything that can cause further damage.

 

Here are some of the things you can do to protect your roof:

Keep branches away

Trees should be located at least six feet away from your house. Branches that hang over your roof can scratch its surface. This removes shingle granules and weakens the integrity, which can lead to a leak.

Even if tree branches are not in direct contact with your roofing surface, leaves and other debris can accumulate on the roof. When it rains, these materials can end up in your gutter system and disrupt proper drainage.

Clean your gutters

If possible, install gutter shields to prevent clogged gutters. If this isn’t possible, inspect your gutters every now and then, especially after a storm. Blocked or broken gutters can cause water to flow under roofing shingles and cause additional damage to your home.

 

Resolve leaks immediately

Once water gets into your home, problems will escalate. Water weakens your property’s foundation and causes mold growth. Moist environments also attract pests and wet wiring can start a fire.

As a homeowner, you can spot water stains on your ceiling or walls and know that your roof is leaking. Even if you don’t see any water damage, it’s always a good idea to schedule regular inspections by a professional roofer.

Inspect your roof following a severe storm

You’ll be able to spot obvious signs of damage like holes and missing shingles. However, more subtle signs of damage like missing shingle granules and small dents may be harder to see. It’s always best to have a professional inspect your roof after severe weather.

Final Thoughts

If you need help when it comes to roofing protection from bad weather, Absolute Exteriors employees are experts in identifying roof damage and processing insurance claims in Ellisville, Chesterfield, and Ballwin. Give us a call for a free estimate on your roof repair or roof replacement.

Need more? Here are some bad roofing decisions that you might want to avoid.

Signs of Hail Damage to Your Home’s Roof

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It’s storm season, and although most hailstorms are relatively short, their effects can be long lasting. It’s often easy to spot damage caused to fences, cars, garage doors, and other items on the ground, but how do you know if your roof needs to be fixed?

 

Here are some indications that your roof has hail damage.

 

Asphalt granules in the gutter

This is one of the biggest signs of severe hail damage. Chunks of hail can knock loose the asphalt in your shingles, which then run down into your gutters. Missing granules leave your roof exposed to the elements, which results in leaks when it rains or snows. If you have wood shingles, you may find splinters or shards of wood in your gutters.

 

Shingle bruising

Bruising causes a soft spot on the shingle that feels like the bruise on an apple – the larger the hail, the larger the depression. If the dimples have any kind of give when you press on them, your shingles may be starting to decay.

 

Circular cracks

When hailstorms are extremely strong and break through the granules, they can leave behind circular cracks. These cracks will allow water to seep through your shingles to the under layers of your roof. Vertical or horizontal cracks occur from normal wear to your roof.

 

Other damaged areas

An easy way to check for bad hail damage is to look at what else was affected by the storm. If your fence has holes, your gutters are bent, or your A/C unit is dented, then your roof needs to be inspected.

 

Take action

The first step is to call Absolute Exteriors in Ellisville, Mo., for a free, no obligation inspection. Absolute will work with your insurance company to make the repair process as painless as possible. Delaying getting your roof fixed can lead to long-term damage, not only to the roof, but also inside and outside the home.

Learn more about storm damage.