The Most Common Roof Problems In Michigan And How To Prevent Them
Our roofs take a beating from being exposed to all four seasons here in the Detroit area. We experience the harshest of winters, hot, hot summers, and rainy days that seem to never end.
Even though roofs are made to be resilient and durable, the ever-changing Detroit weather really puts that resilience to the test!
Because of this, our roofs might have more issues than homes in a warmer or more stable climate area. This also means that small issues happen at a higher rate, and if those small problems are overlooked, they could lead to bigger, more detrimental (and more expensive) issues down the line.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common roof problems in Michigan, particularly in the Metro Detroit area, and explore how to prevent them.
Roof Leaks and Water Damage
Starting with the most obvious and common problem: roof leaks and water damage. The culprit of this problem is the heavy rain, snow, and ice melt. You may not notice the water damage and leaks unless you inspect your attic or crawl space. What will make the issue noticeable is if you see dark, damp spots, water leaking from your top-floor ceiling, bubbling paint, or mold in the corners where everything comes together.
Once this happens, you will want to inspect and then call a roofing company to assess the damage and see what repairs need to be done to prevent it from getting worse.
We know that leaks and water damage can happen at any time, but as a preventative measure, you should check your crawl space/attic before and after the snowy winter season to reinforce any areas that might need it.
Visible Signs from the Ground
The wild winds we get from Lake Erie and being a northern state in general mean that our shingled roofs hold up against a lot. Potential signs of roof damage that can be easily seen from the ground include:
- Downed tree limbs
- Missing shingles
- Dark wet spots
- Rust on the metal surrounding chimneys or vents.
- Sagging parts of the roof.
- Moss or algae is growing in a specific spot.
It is important that you don’t inspect the roof on your own. Do not risk injury or worse to try to remove any debris or repair anything that seems like an “easy fix. Most of the time, it may look simple, but deep down, you don’t know how far the issues have made it into the wooden foundation of the roof or how far it spreads under the shingles.
Mold and Moisture in the Attic
To go along with the first issue pertaining to roof leaks, you also have to worry about mold and moisture growing in the attic. Structural roof problems and poor ventilation from the roof are what cause the moisture and eventually mold that will form. Mold is dangerous to breathe in and can cause health issues or exacerbate already present breathing problems (asthma, COPD, etc.).
Again, this is something that you should not try to remediate yourself, mainly for your health, but also to avoid disturbing the structural integrity of your roof.
Aging Roof
As your roof ages, it will continue to resist and withstand everything thrown at it (literally in cases of tree branches and ice). The more it ages, the more wear and tear it will take on. This can lead to minor damage becoming more major because of the age and weakened structural integrity.
If you haven’t had your roof replaced, have a roof older than 25 years, or don’t know when it was last replaced, it may be time to have your roof inspected, primarily due to age alone.
When Replace Over Repair – Let Performance Remodeling Help
If your roof repairs seem to be more costly than the advantages of replacing your roof as a whole, it’s time to contact our team here at Performance Remodeling to give you the guidance you’re looking for!
We offer four different levels for roof replacement that are sure to meet your needs and your budget!
Our two highest levels offer FREE roof inspections for life, as well as lifetime guarantees on materials and workmanship.
To discuss your options and start your roof replacement project, contact our team today!