Your roof works hard to protect you from the elements, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune. The Denver weather can wreak havoc on your poor roof, causing it to deteriorate faster and not last as long as it should. The best thing you can do for your roof is to watch the weather and keep a sharp eye for any problems that might follow. Here are the most common environmental factors that hurt Denver roofs.
Snow and Ice
Denver is no stranger to plenty of snow and ice over the winter months. In fact, Denver gets over twice as much snow as the national average, with around 60 inches annually! While it might look pretty on your roof—and lend itself to some killer winter sports activities—all that snow and ice can damage your roof.
If you’ve ever shoveled a driveway, you know that snow can be quite heavy. Well, your roof has to hold up possibly tons of fresh powder every time there’s a good snowstorm. All that weight puts stress on your decking (plywood that holds up your roof) and the supports underneath. If it gets to be too much, it could cause a cave-in!
As if the snow wasn’t bad enough, ice can also cause serious damage to your roof. As the snow melts, it’ll flow down your roof into your gutters and any gaps between the shingles. If the temperatures drop, the water could refreeze, expand, and open holes in your roof, cause your shingles to separate, and destroy your gutters. All in all, it’s just not a good time.
Temperature Fluctuations
If you don’t like the temperature in Denver, wait a day. It’s not uncommon to have a brisk 30-degree day with a light dusting of snow quickly followed by a sunny, 60-degree day.
While we all might enjoy those lovely short-sleeve winter and spring days, they’re not so great for your roof.
All those temperature fluctuations cause the materials in your roof to expand and contract. The more it changes, the more likely it is for cracks and holes to appear. Over time, all the expanding and contracting will cause your roof to wear out at a much faster rate.
Moisture
Moisture is one of the most damaging environmental factors your roof has to face. Whether it’s from rain, fog, or snowmelt, there are plenty of ways moisture can hurt your poor roof.
Canyons are formed when rivers constantly wear away rocks. Well, rain can do the same thing to your roof. Heavy rain and snowmelt will run down your roof and take more and more shingle granules as it flows. Eventually, it could wear away the singles altogether, letting all that dampness saturate your decking and maybe even make its way into your home.
But heavy waters wearing away your shingles isn’t the only thing you have to worry about with moisture. Once the water saturates your roof, it could cause some other damaging substances that you definitely don’t want to deal with:
Mold
Mildew
Algae
Moss
All these things can eat away at your roof, causing serious structural damage. Mold and mildew love to eat away at wood, while moss and algae put roots into your shingles and decking—none of which is good for your roof or home. Some strains of mold are even poisonous to you and your family!
If you notice a lot of granules in your downspouts and gutters, it could be an indication that your shingles aren’t holding up to the water. Also, remember to check in your attic regularly. If you notice any signs of moisture—or see mold or mildew stains—it’s definitely time to get your roof checked.
Hail Damage
Ah yes, every Denver resident’s favorite environmental pest: hail. Denver is notorious for hailstorms. In fact, Colorado has the second highest number of hail claims in the U.S., with over 380,000 reports!
Hail damage is pretty obvious on things like your car, but it’s not so obvious on your roof. Not only is it hard to get up there to look for damage, but shingles are typically dark and don’t show much damage. If hail did punch holes in your roof, it could allow moisture into your home, which as we discussed earlier, is never a good thing.
After a hailstorm, be sure to inspect your roof and your attic for any holes or signs of moisture. If you see anything, contact a roof repair company right away to fix the damage. The faster you repair the damage, the less of an impact it’ll have on your home.
See Signs of Environmental Damage? Call a Roofing Expert!
The Denver environment isn’t always nice to your roof. Between the winter weather, temperature fluctuations, moisture, and hail damage, there are plenty of things looking to hurt your roof.
If you notice any signs of damage from these environmental factors, it’s important to call a roofing expert like BossLady Contracting right away. We’ll fix or replace your roof to make sure your home and family are protected from Denver weather for years to come.
Contact us to make sure your roof and home are prepared to combat the elements.