Roof repairs can be inconvenient and sometimes costly. If you know what problems tend to come up, though, you can plan ahead and avoid scrambling for an emergency repair. How long a roof lasts in Texas depends heavily on the material and the weather it sees. An asphalt shingle roof may start showing wear in its second decade, sooner after a bad hail season, while a well-maintained metal roof can last far longer. Maintenance and repairs cost much less than roof replacements, so here are the common roof repairs Texas homeowners hire roofing contractors to fix. Knowing them helps you spot problems early and budget for the ones that come with age.
Shingle Repairs
This is one of the most common repairs residential roofs need. The Lone Star State is no stranger to turbulent weather, and Texas is hot (an understatement, we know). Over time, UV exposure, high winds, heavy rain, hail and other weather can damage your residential roof shingles. Texas homeowners frequently see:
- Broken or missing shingles – A frequent occurrence after wind storms and a fairly easy fix. If you wait, though, the gap lets water reach the decking and into your home.
- Hail damage – Hail can bruise, crack and knock granules off shingles. It's often hard to see from the ground, so an inspection after a storm is worth it.
- Curling – Extreme heat and moisture can change the shape of shingles. Curling can be a sign of poor attic ventilation, which also affects your home's comfort and energy bills.
- Weathering – This shows up where rain runs off the roof in concentrated paths, like valleys. On an asphalt roof, these areas wear faster.
- Granule loss – Some granule loss happens with age. The granules protect the asphalt from UV, and once they're gone the shingle breaks down faster.
- Splitting and shrinkage – Big temperature swings make shingles expand and contract, which can crack them. Shrinkage and splitting are signs of an aging roof that may be near replacement.
Flashing Repairs
Roof flashing is thin metal roofers install to direct water away from the joints in a roof. It guides water away from skylights, vents, chimneys, walls and other features and toward the gutters, where it can drain away. You'll find flashing anywhere the roof meets a vertical surface.
Flashing usually needs repair because it was installed poorly, the sealant around it dried out and cracked, it rusted, or wind or hail bent it. Any of these lets water in behind the shingles, where it rots the decking and stains ceilings.
Roof Leak Repairs
A leak is the most obvious sign that your roof needs repair. Most folks don't check their roof for curling shingles or other early problems, but once a dark spot spreads on the ceiling or you're catching drips in a bucket, the problem is hard to ignore. Water travels before it drips, so the leak is often not directly above the stain. At Roof Experts, we trace the leak to its source and repair it before it causes more damage inside your home.
Gutter Repairs
As we've seen, gutters play an important role in carrying water away from the roof and the house. Keeping them working means keeping them clean, especially in the fall when leaves come down and storms move through.
Skipping gutter maintenance leads to gutter repairs. First, when water can't drain, it backs up under the edge of the roof and soaks the fascia and decking. Second, overflowing gutters dump water next to the foundation and can rot the fascia boards. Third, gutters full of wet debris get heavy enough to pull loose from the house and damage the roof edge.
Roof Repair From Our Arlington Office
If you're noticing worn-down shingles or a stubborn leak, contact Roof Experts. We'll inspect the roof for free, show you what we find and give you a clear estimate. If the damage is widespread, our repair vs. replace guide explains how we help you decide. We handle maintenance, repairs and replacements from our office in Arlington across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including Fort Worth.