How to Identify Damage and Normal Wear on Your Roof

Throughout its service life, your roof is exposed to wear and tear along with the risks of damage. While you’re not expected to fix roofing problems yourself, knowing the difference between the two can help you make informed decisions between repairs or replacement. In today’s post, the roofing and siding contractors at Triangle Home Exteriors share a quick guide on how to identify normal wear vs. damage on your roof. 

Normal Wear and Tear

On roofing systems, wear and tear is caused by exposure to daily weather conditions — wind, rain, and sunlight, among others. The key difference between wear and damage is the former happens over a long time. The following are some of the signs of normal wear:

“Balding” shingles. Asphalt shingles feature an outer layer made of granules embedded in the asphalt layer. In addition to protecting the underlying layers from UV radiation, the granules define the roof’s color. The granules lose their adhesion as they erode over time, which results in “balding” shingles that make the roof appear faded or with dark spots from the exposed asphalt layer.

Curling shingles. Asphalt shingles lose their shape as they deteriorate over time, resulting in curling or cupping shingles. Roofs in this condition generally require a roof replacement.

Corrosion. If you have a galvanized metal roof, worn-out outer coatings may expose the bare metal layer to corrosion. Investing in an aluminum or copper roof can help prevent a corroded roof.

Damage

Keeping in mind that damage is caused by airborne debris or tree branches, or events like storms, the following are signs of a damaged roof:

Missing components. Roofing components like flashing and ridge caps, or even whole shingles, may get knocked off the rooftop by high winds regardless of the roof’s condition. This is why you should regularly inspect your roof. The sooner these missing components are replaced, the lower the risk of further roofing damage.

Impact damage. The damage caused by airborne debris or falling tree branches is hard to ignore and should be repaired as soon as possible. Hail damage also falls into this category, though its signs are commonly mistaken for asphalt shingle blisters, which is a type of manufacturing defect.

If you need help with any of these roofing problems, you need one of the best home exterior remodeling companies serving customers in Cary, NC, and the surrounding communities. Call Triangle Home Exteriors at (916) 545-7894 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.