Roof punctures occur
due to numerous things, but the following are some of the most
common.
Foot Traffic
You are likely to
damage or puncture your roof if you constantly walk on it. Your
weight can break roofing shingles or tear the roof membrane. The
damage is particularly likely if those who walk on your roof don't
know the delicate parts to avoid. An aging roof is also more likely
to experience a puncture than a new roof.
Tree Damage
Roof punctures also
occur when tree branches or whole trees fall on the roof. For
example, a rotten tree trunk may finally give way and send the tree
crashing through your roof. Another example is when a freak storm
uproots trees around the house or breaks of tree branches. The
heavier the broken tree branches, the greater the damage will be.
Roof
Installations
Your roof may also
suffer punctures if you install things on the roof, but don't go
about the installation carefully. Installers of communication
gadgets, television antennas, and rooftop HVAC (heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning) units can easily puncture the roof.
The damage occurs
when an installer doesn't seal the area around the installations
properly. The damage can also occur when the installers drill
unnecessary holes on the roof and don't plug the holes properly.
Accidental Tool
Drops
Anyone who goes up
to the roof with tools and equipment risks roof damage. For example,
you may drop a hammer, drill, or other tools and puncture the roof.
Such accidents are common with DIY installers since they might not
have suitable gear, such as tool organizers, straps, or bags, to
contain the tools.
Wildlife
Many types of
animals enjoy rooftops, but the animals can also cause roof damage.
Raccoons, squirrels, birds, and other animals may chew at weak parts
of the roof or scratch the roof membrane. Roofs that have already
experienced some damage are particularly susceptible to animal damage
since the points of damages present weak points that the animals can
exploit.
Strong Winds
Strong winds can
cause roof punctures in more ways than one. For example, strong winds
can uplift or tear off sections of the roof. Strong winds can also
hurl heavy debris on the roof and cause punctures.
Hailstones
A hailstorm can
cause severe punctures on the roof is the storm is strong enough. The
size of the hailstones, the velocity of the hailstones, the density
of the hailstones, and the age of the roof are some of the factors
that determine how much damage the hailstones cause.
How to Prevent Roof
Punctures
Some causes of roof
punctures, such as hailstones, are difficult to prevent. However, the
following measures should help you prevent most forms of roof
punctures:
-
Minimize roof traffic on the roof
-
Ensure only professional installers work on your roof
-
Maintain your roof so that animals don't find weak or damaged places
to exploit
-
Trim trees around the house and remove weak trees so that they don't
crash on the roof
-
Secure roof installations, such as satellite dishes, so strong winds
don't rip them off
A well-maintained
roof is less likely to experience punctures than a poorly maintained
roof. Schedule a maintenance session for your roof if you haven't
done so in a while.
Hopefully, the above
preventive measures will help you avoid roof punctures. Econo Roofing
can help you maintain your roof and reduce the risk of damage. We can
also help you repair punctures that are already on your roof. Contact
us
today for a quote for any roofing service you need.
