10 Common Ways Roofs Sustain Damage in the Fall

Whether it be strong wind or fallen debris, there are so many ways that your roof can sustain damage. While you may overlook it initially, damage to the roof is a serious issue. When left unresolved, roofing damage can lead to larger problems and put the remainder of your home’s stability in jeopardy.

With fall quickly approaching, it’s important to be aware of all the ways your roof can incur damage this season. The last thing you want is to leave any damage unnoticed. If you don’t call for roof repair as soon as you notice issues, that damage can spread and affect other areas of your roof or home. Learn more about ten common ways a roof can sustain damage in the fall and find some tell-tale signs to look for.

10 Potential Causes of Roof Damage

If you’re concerned about your roof sustaining any damage this fall, you’re not alone. Most homeowners worry they can’t (or don’t know how to) protect their roofs against weather events and other roofing threats. 

Well, we’re here to tell you that you can! Below are ten circumstances or weather-related issues that can result in damage to your roof:

1. Clogged or Backed-Up Gutters

We all know that trees shed their leaves during the fall months, and those leaves end up everywhere. Fallen leaves and other debris often lead to clogged gutters, which can cause damage to your roof. 

When gutters get backed up, it can lead to water damage to the fascia board and roof eaves. That is a common reason many homeowners end up needing roof leak repair services. To avoid this, have your gutters cleaned out at least once or twice a year.

2. Storm and Wind Damage

Florida storms and wind can be extreme all year round, which can really wreak havoc on your roof. Wind damage can blow off shingles, bend them over, or even loosen them. Even with high wind-resistant shingles, damage can happen cumulatively over time. 

These strong winds can also cause nearby tree branches to scratch your roof or fall onto it, resulting in damage. Storms with wind speeds of more than 50 mph are common in Florida, so these storms can have a lot of impact on your roof over time.

3. Failing Roof Flashing

If your roof’s flashing is failing, it will eventually lead to the need for roof repair. Flashing, drip edge, and roofing cement seal the roof at its most vulnerable areas, and all help protect your home from leaks. When this flashing breaks loose, blows off, or caulking cracks, your roof loses an extra layer of protection and can incur damage.

4. UV Light Exposure

If you have a shingle roof, you may notice signs of damage from consistent UV exposure. Even in fall, the UV rays in Florida are strong. Over time, this UV light exposure can cause your roof’s shingles to fade in color and diminish in strength. When this happens to most shingles on your roof, it may be time for a full roof replacement.

5. Roof Debris

Excessive debris accumulating on your roof can cause damage by preventing adequate water damage. When things like leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris pile up, they can cause water to puddle and moisture to build up. This excess moisture leads to roof decay. 

Tree fall, branches, and other fallen debris can cause damage to your roof by actually breaking parts of the structure. These circumstances happen most often during violent thunderstorms, hurricanes, and more.

6. Water and Moisture Damage

Another leading cause of roof damage in the fall is water and moisture. Driving rains can travel sideways or upwards against your roof shingles. That can let water into openings in the roof and cause moisture damage. Spaces around chimneys, vents, and roof valleys are also vulnerable to moisture damage. 

It is vital to seek roof repair services as soon as possible when you have moisture damage or leaks in your roof. This moisture build-up can weaken the wood of the roof deck and compromise your roof’s stability if left untreated, ultimately necessitating an entire roof replacement.

7. Poor Installation

One of the primary causes of roof damage in any season is poor installation. When your roof sits improperly, it’s automatically more susceptible to potential damage in the future. That is why it’s crucial to have your roof replacement performed by a team of experienced professionals. 

An expert roofing contractor will install your new roof with top-quality materials, using the most effective installation methods and techniques. Seeking installation from a renowned roofing service will ensure that your roof is set up correctly and less likely to need roof repair down the road.

8. Excessive Heat

The approach of fall may have you thinking of cooler weather, but if you live in Florida, you know it still stays pretty hot all year round. This constant excessive heat can really do a number on your roof. High-grade shingles may have more heat tolerance than other materials, but ultimately all roofing shingles are susceptible to heat damage.

Temperature fluctuations and severe heat can cause asphalt melt and structural compromise in your roof. Heat can also cause shingles to get stuck to the roof deck if there is no underlayment. When heat affects your roofing shingles, it can actually lead to lower energy efficiency.

9. Lack of Maintenance

A common cause of roofing damage at any time of the year is a lack of maintenance. When your roof is not properly maintained and does not receive annual inspections, it is more likely to incur damage throughout the year. That is why it is important to have a quality roofing service to provide yearly roofing inspections, cleaning, and repair, if necessary.

10. Ridge Cap Failure

Your roof’s ridge caps receive the highest degree of wind exposure out of all the components of your roof. Since they withstand this consistent wind, they are more likely to sustain damage at any point during the year, including the fall. Left untreated, damage to the ridge caps can result in a roof leak.

Fall Weather or Other Causes?

If you believe that your roof has sustained damage from fall weather, fallen debris, poor installation, or other causes, look for the following signs:

• Broken or missing shingles
• Broken or missing tiles
• Leaks in the ceiling
• Fallen or hanging gutters
• Rotting wood or fascia
• Nail pops
• Excessive debris on the roof

When your roof suffers damage from extreme weather or any other cause, you can typically resolve your roofing issues with expert repair services. If promptly assessed, an experienced roofing contractor can fix any problems they find. In cases of severe damage or problems left unaddressed for too long, your roof may need a full replacement.

Contact Florida Southern Roofing for Roof Repair or Replacement

If you’ve been searching for “roofers near me,” look no further than Florida Southern Roofing. Our expert team provides a wide variety of roofing services throughout South Florida. Whether it be roof replacement or repair services, you can trust our professionals to tackle any roofing needs you may have. 

Here at Florida Southern Roofing, we work with all kinds of roofing materials, including shingles, tile, metal, and flat roofs. Whatever type of roof your home or commercial property may have, our team of experts can provide exactly what it needs.

Florida Southern Roofing offers emergency roof repair services, complete roofing installations, and annual maintenance. If your roof sustains damage this fall, our technicians can perform the proper repairs to restore its safety and stability. 

With a dedication to customer satisfaction and quality work, we are proud to serve the community of Southern Florida and look forward to hearing from you. Call us today to schedule an appointment!