Roof failure is an inevitable part of aging. Even with expert installation, quality materials, and diligent maintenance, roofs have finite life spans. But roof collapse isn’t something that homeowners have to experience. Roofs collapse when these systems and their underlying framing can no longer support their weight. A collapsing roof can cause significant property damage and could result in serious physical injuries. Check out these five clues that your roof will collapse without urgent repairs.
1. Recent Impact Damage
Never underestimate the effects of a toppled tree or fallen tree limb. Even if these weighty items don’t cause damage that’s visible from the curb, you should still have your roof inspected. Roofers can determine whether impact events have undermined the integrity of roofing systems, upset the underlying framing, or caused stability issues. Rather than simply clearing debris off, have a professional verify your roof’s structural integrity as well.
2. Soft, Springy Sections Underfoot
If your roof feels soft and springy underfoot, schedule roof inspection and repair services right away. These are indications of severe deterioration at the roof’s decking. This deterioration might be the result of poor drainage, loose flashing, or missing shingles. If left unchecked, minor issues like blocked gutters and shingle leaks could significantly shorten your roof’s life span and cause instability.
3. Severe Distortion
Roofs are multilayer systems. Each layer protects the layers beneath it from the ravages of the elements. When your roof sustains damage all the way to its decking, the rafters and joists that support your roof will eventually fail. Misshapen roof sections are often the result of wood rot, moisture-related warping, and other problems in roofs’ underlying framing. In many cases, extreme structural damage warrants total roof teardowns and replacement.
4. Fast-Spreading Ceiling Cracks
Sometimes, the evidence of an impending roof collapse manifests indoors. If you have fast-spreading cracks in your ceiling, they may mean that your roof, its decking, and its framing have failed. Ceiling cracks can also result from unchecked slab leaks. To determine the underlying cause of this damage and schedule the right intervention, have your roof and your slab inspected.
5. Detached Gutters and Downspouts
Detached gutters and downspouts can be both a cause and a symptom of impending roof collapse. These features direct runoff away from your roof. If they aren’t working properly, pooling water and trapped moisture will eventually cause:
- Lost shingle adhesion
- Loose flashing
- Damaged roofing protrusion
- Rotted fascia boards
- Failed moisture barriers
When fascia boards and other roofing elements develop wood rot, gutters and downspouts lack stable surfaces to attach to.
Gutter and downspout detachment are common in areas with heavy snow loads, exceedingly low winter temperatures, and heavy ice. If your roof has ice dams in winter, these buildups could weigh your gutters down or force them away from the building.
Finding and fixing the problems that cause roof collapse will prolong your roof’s service life and save you money. For expert roof repairs in Allentown, PA, get in touch with Bachman’s Roofing today!