Do you sometimes feel like the three little pigs waiting for the wolf to come and blow your house down? If you’re feeling insecure about the structural integrity of your home, problems with your roof and siding could be a big reason why. According to Angie’s List, roof rot is not only a problem for your home, it can be a problem for your health: “One of the most serious consequences of a leaking roof is mold and mildew growth.” Don’t wait for a crisis: make sure that you prevent rot on your roof rather than trying to scramble and fix it after the fact.

First, Look On the Roof 

How do you stop your roof from rotting? You need to both examine your roof and the structures around your roof to ensure that it’s safe. Looking on the roof is the first logical step to preventing roof rot. When you look on the roof, you should look for: 

• Tiles or shingles that are loose and could let water in 
• Damage from past storms, such as areas where branches have fallen on the roof 
• The places where the roof connects to another structure, such as a skylight 

Even small issues can turn into a large problem for your roof. According to House Logic, “Left untreated, wood rot may spread, infecting other wood parts and possibly leading to structural damage.” 

Watch for Hidden Places Where Water Pools 

Roofs are not always all at the correct angles. For instance, a roof can have a small hollow in it where water pools. Over time, standing water will create the conditions for additional rot. In addition, all of that pretty moss on the roof can also keep water in a specific location. As you investigate your roof, look for small hollows and areas where plants are growing on the roof. Remove the plants and ensure that there are no places where water can pool.

Go to the Edge

Life on the edges of your roof can be difficult. For instance, if the fascia boards that sit at the end of the roof are not connected properly or if they’re not treated and are prone to rot, they can lead to problems with the roof and the siding. If the gutters at the end of the roof tend to clog and back water and ice up onto the roof, that’s a problem. Look at the edges of the roof to make sure that your roof isn’t rotting. 

Surviving the Winter Months 

Winter can be hard on the roof. Branches fall, and there are strong winds and possibly a lot of snow and rain. In the winter months, getting ice under the tiles or shingles can be very hazardous to your roof.

How does this happen? It can happen in a few different ways. If there is a wet day and water runs into a clogged gutter and then freezes, that frozen water can back up onto the roof. Adding a gutter cover can prevent your gutters from clogging and backing up onto the roof.

The same can happen during a snowy or icy time of the year. If it is not too cold and the roof is giving off some heat, then the snow and ice next to the roof can melt and run down into the gutters. As the water reaches the gutters, it is not as warm, so the water turns to ice again and backs up onto the roof. 

The freeze-thaw cycle can be difficult on roofs. Water that moves under shingles can freeze, gently push the shingles loose, and then thaw again, gradually damaging your roof. You can prevent this by installing a gutter heating system so that water that hits the gutters remains liquid and flows through the gutters.

At Harry Helmet, we want your home to be safe and sound. Talk with us about your plans for new roofing or roof repair or replacement, and we’ll give you options that will help you plan for the future. Schedule a free estimate.

Written by Del Thebaud