Chappell Roofing is dedicated to providing quality roofs for you home. However, there are many causes of roof damage that are out of your control. These can include hail, wind, and improper installation. However, there might be some things you might not even expect that might cause issues later on down the road. Read more about some of the more uncommon causes of roof damage…and how you can prevent them.
Ice Dams
While we don’t get a lot of ice or snow in West Texas, we certainly get a bit every year. Though icicles may be gorgeous, accumulated ice and snow on your roof can cause damage. An ice dam is essentially where ice builds up in your gutters and snow falls on top. A small “pond” of water is trapped beneath the snow, as it cannot move past the ice build-up. This water can damage shingles and potentially cause leaks. There are two ways to prevent this. First, make sure your roof is well insulated. This is not meant to make your attic warm; it’s mean to keep warm air inside the confines of your home, as a warm roof melts snow and ice, which can cause it to melt. Secondly, there are roofing ice barriers that can be installed. You can ask us about this option for your next roof!
Ice, trees, & squirrels…oh, my!
The Natural World
Birds, squirrels, and other little creatures are absolutely adorable…but they’re better away from your roof. Animals usually prefer to enter your attic through ventilation outlets and soffits in order to make nests. Once they’re inside, the animals, especially rodents like mice, squirrels, and rats, can gnaw through your wiring. The best way to avoid this is to keep tree branches trimmed and away from your roof. While this doesn’t prevent birds, it can help you avoid rodents. Also be sure to check your roof and attic often for animal droppings and any gaps.
Trees
As beautiful as they are, trees can actually damage your roof! Branches can scratch shingles and pull them off, especially on blustery West Texas days. Heavy or old, dead branches can also be dangerous to your roof. High winds or ice storms can cause branches to break and fall on your roof. This can cause extensive damage to your roof. We highly recommend getting your trees trimmed annually and to make sure that all low branches are away from your roof and gutters.
We hope that we’ve been able to fill you in on some of the more unusual, but possible, causes of roof damage. Chappell Roofing is committed to providing quality materials with a 5-year workmanship warranty against leaks and blow-offs from winds up to 70mph. Call us to get a quote today!