Have you noticed a section of your roof sagging? If you’re standing on the ground, does your roof line appear to dip down in certain areas, especially around chimneys? Should you be concerned? Is it normal for your roof to sag in certain areas over time? You may have several important questions that you need answered. It’s important to know what causes a roof to sag and how serious it really is. Here are four common causes of roof sagging.
1. Leaky Roof
If you have missing or damaged shingles, good chances are that you may have localized leaking on your roof. Those slow leaks can damage your roof as a whole, and over time, can lead to roof sagging. For example, a small roof leak will eventually lead to rot and deterioration of your roof’s framing and sheathing. Also, if you have extra moisture in your attic at times when there shouldn’t be, you may have a ventilation problem.
Moreover, without proper ventilation and circulation of air throughout your attic, the plywood that makes up key parts of your roof deck may begin to rot or sag from exposure to excessive moisture. This can be corrected with roof vents. Roof vents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ask your professional roofing company representative which type of roof vent may be right for your home. Want more information on roof vents? Learn more here.
2. Warped Sheathing (Roof Deck)
Your roof deck is not visible from the outside of your home. Instead, your roof deck is responsible for holding up the shingles from the inside of your attic. It acts as a great support system for your roof. Builders are responsible for ensuring that the framing of your home itself is correct before beginning on the roof deck. However, oftentimes builders don’t do a good job in making sure that everything is approved and ready to go before they begin on the roof deck, which leads to bowing or buckling later on.
Moreover, uneven stresses between the sheets of plywood can cause warping over time. H-clips are installed at the center of unsupported abutting edges to stiffen and strengthen them. However, if they are missing, damaged, or installed off-center, buckling can occur causing roof sagging. Many times people assume that there is a foundation issue or another similar structural issue causing shifting, which could lead to roof sagging. However, roof sagging is usually not a serious structural/foundation problem, but it should still be inspected by a professional as it’s noticed.
3. Impact
Storms are notorious for wind and structural damage, especially to a roof. Tree branches, hail, and even large amounts of snow that add excess weight can damage your roof. For example, if a larger tree branch fell onto your roof, there’s a good chance that there will be an indention in your roof after the branch is removed depending upon how heavy it was. This indention not only affects the shingles, but can also affect the framing, roof deck, and trusses of your roof itself.
A good rule of thumb is to have a professional roofing company carefully inspect your roof for obvious signs of damage such as missing shingles or roof sagging immediately after a storm. The longer you wait, the higher your chances of experiencing localized leaking which can lead to severe roof sagging and rot in the future.
4. Old Age
As a roof gets older, it begins to show wear and tear just like the rest of your home. Over the last decade, your roof may have undergone several repairs to keep it working efficiently. However, if you haven’t had your roof regularly maintained or inspected by a professional roofing company, you may have realized that the lifespan of your roof is declining more rapidly than it should.
You could have had an on-going leak that was never addressed, bad flashing, excess moisture in your attic, roof deck rot, or damage to your framing and trusses, that may have gone unnoticed until now. Furthermore, instead of a few repairs, you’re having to fully replace your roof and possibly much more! Yikes!
If you notice that your roof is sagging, it’s important to take action. The longer you prolong seeking out professional help, the worse off your roof will be. One way to stay on top of your roof’s health is to establish a good relationship with a local roofing company who can regularly inspect and maintenance your roof over its lifespan. The professional roofer will inspect your roof from the inside out.
If you are searching for a local roofing company in Cleveland, TN, with a good reputation, give us a call! We would love to come take a look at your roof for free and work towards fixing your problem and ensuring that you have a healthy roof going forward. We look forward to serving your family.