How to identify damaged or compromised asphalt shingle roofing

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There are a number of circumstances by which your asphalt shingle roofing can be damaged or compromised. Understanding some of these common conditions will make you a better-informed homeowner. Identifying damaged or compromised asphalt shingle roofing will allow you to take action to repair or, when necessary, replace a roof in a timely and cost-effective way.

The most common causes of damage to an asphalt shingle roof are:

• Falling trees and limbs
• Hail and ice
• Wind
• Flying debris

Identifying damage caused from falling trees and limbs is generally pretty easy. Smaller limbs falling on a roof may not seem to have damaged the integrity of asphalt shingles, but serious damage can occur. If limbs have fallen on your asphalt shingle roof, look for cracks, splits or even the loss of protective coating on your asphalt shingles.

Hail damage to an asphalt shingle roof can be more difficult to identify. If hail has fallen, look for dark “bruises” on our asphalt shingles, the result of the destruction of the protective granules from the shingle. If you inspect your gutters, you may find granules that have fallen off the shingle.

High winds can also be devastating to an asphalt shingle roof and the damage can manifest itself through missing shingles or split seams. A bent or dislodged shingle is another sign of wind damage.

Asphalt shingle roof deterioration can be caused by many natural conditions and in most cases can lead to a leaky roof and water damage. If water starts to seep through the protective barrier of your asphalt shingle roof, many problems can occur, such as mold buildup or wood rot. These conditions can eventually lead to structural integrity problems for your entire house.

Long-term water damage to your asphalt shingle roof can in turn lead to a number of health risks. Bacterial spores, mildew and mold are all possible consequences.

Direct wind damage to an asphalt shingle roof occurs in some regions, but most wind-related damage to an asphalt shingle roof occurs due to flying objects. There are ways to reduce your exposure to this risk such as trimming back tree branches away from your home and making sure to store or secure lighter outdoor equipment or furniture.

If you have an asphalt shingle roof and believe that it may have suffered severe damage, Reply! can put you in contact with a number of local roofing professionals, right now, who will help you extend the life of your asphalt shingle roof.