One of the most important construction components of your property is the roof. Not only does this surface serve as a protective barrier from all of the outside elements, but it also can have a large impact on the heating and cooling costs associated with your residence. Different roofing designs require various elements to be installed, but all homes typically feature some form of shingles, flashing, valleys, vents, and other features which complete the finished product. These must all be built to withstand the wide variety of weather elements Mother Nature has in store for the duration of its lifespan. A typical roof usually lasts approximately 25-30 years, meaning that extreme weather conditions are likely at some point in time while installed. In order to ensure that your roof is up to the task, regular inspections can assist in identifying any potential areas of concern. In addition, spot checks following any significant weather event can also be useful to gauge the integrity of a roof and its many components.
Colorado is home to its fair share of severe weather events ranging from tornadoes, flooding, hail storms, and blizzards. Each of these can have a detrimental impact on your roof and repeated exposure or damage is likely to require some type of repair – or potentially a replacement in the future. Fortunately, forecasting models have improved over the years and rarely does any significant weather pattern occur without some type of warning. However, there is little a property owner can do once the weather becomes hazardous, making it increasingly important for individuals to continually monitor their roof – especially knowing the critical role it plays in helping to protect your home and anything housed underneath.
Various weather elements will each have a unique impact on your structure but safely monitoring your roof is important. No inspections, professional or personal, should be completed which could put any individuals life in danger. Instead, ensure that analyzing your roof for potential damages can be conducted safely after any of the following events or prior to one occurring.
Sun
Believe it or not but the sun can have a detrimental impact on your roof if not managed properly. Repeated exposure eventually leads to wear and tear on your shingles and may cause them to dry out, becoming brittle to the touch. This could lead to breaks in combination with windy conditions but routine maintenance can help to avoid any potential issues unrelated to normal use. While the impact over time will ultimately lead to a future replacement, understanding that all weather elements play a role in limiting your roofs ability to protect a home is important.
Rain
Flash flooding is an obvious threat to the foundation of a property but heavy rainfall can also be a threat for your roof. Moisture build up may lead to mold and moss issues, but the key component is associated with the gutter system along the outer edges of your roofs profile. If water isn’t flowing freely down the pitch of your roof, into and away from the home, then damages become a real possibility. Monitoring heavy rains and how your home is holding up against them over time can help to keep your place protected now and into the future.
Wind
Wind damage also poses a variety of different threats to your roof. Not only can high winds peel shingles away from the structure, but it can also loosen tree branches or create projectile debris which could cause damage to your home. Unfortunately, high winds are also usually associated with heavy rains or some other type of precipitation, meaning these events combine to potentially harm your roof from a variety of different angles. Following any high wind event, a spot check of your roof to check for missing or damaged shingles should be completed.
Hail
Depending on the month, storms generating hailstones are also a likely scenario. Their size, frequency, and duration, give these pellets an increased potential to cause major damage to your roof and any other unprotected items. If you suspect damage following such an event, a professional inspection to determine the extent of any harm can be extremely beneficial. A major cause for insurance claims, ensuring that you have proper coverage for your roof prior to such an event is good practice.
Snow
Heavy snow not only can put the structural capacity of your roof to the test but it may also cause other issues. Ice dams have the potential to form if your roof isn’t properly ventilated as the snow melts and reaches the eaves of your home. Keeping these off your property allows owners to rest easy knowing they are protected and don’t have to worry about such issues.
Ice
Ice possesses the same damaging tendencies as snow but may be harder to detect. Sleet and freezing rain may not have the same weight as a wet, heavy snow but the melting issues remain. In addition, should a blockage occur in the gutter system, drainage issues may arise once any melting begins.Â
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we handle any and all roofing needs. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing roof installations, evaluations, and multiple other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or now construction project, if needed, as well as any inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your roof or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any construction or roofing job and provide a variety of other services such as seamless guttering systems, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting. Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!