After nearly 50 years of roofing Central Texas homes, we've seen the same handful of problems cause the vast majority of leaks. Here are the five most common — and one bonus tip that has nothing to do with your roof, but everything to do with your peace of mind.
1. TREES. The most preventable cause of roof leaks, and one of the most damaging. Trees planted too close to the house grow up, shade the roof, and the limbs rub against the shingles. Watch the flags in your yard — if they're standing straight out in the wind, those same gusts are bending tree limbs down onto your roof. Over time, the limbs act like a wire brush and scrub the granules right off your shingles. Damage can run into the thousands of dollars. Keep limbs trimmed back from the roofline.
2. SQUIRRELS. Lead plumbing vents get chewed up by squirrels, and once there's an opening, water gets in. There are alternative vent materials squirrels won't damage. If you've got squirrels on your property, swapping out lead vents costs much less than repairing the leak they cause.
3. RACCOONS. The most destructive critter we deal with. Raccoons are looking for a safe place to have their young, and they will tear through a roof to get into an attic. Removing them takes a licensed trapper, and they have to be relocated at least ten miles away to keep them from coming back.
4. HAIL STORMS. Hail can hit any time of year, but most Central Texas storms roll through from late March into May. Check your homeowner's insurance policy. RCV (Replacement Cost Value) means the insurer pays what it actually costs to replace your roof. ACV (Actual Cost Value) factors in depreciation and can leave you paying thousands out of pocket. Know which one you have before a storm — not after.
5. SUN DAMAGE. On a 90-degree Texas afternoon, your roof is hot enough at 3 PM to fry an egg. Years of that heat dry out the asphalt in your shingles and they start shedding their protective granules. Expect about 10–15 years from a 3-tab shingle and 15–20 years from an architectural (dimensional) shingle before the sun wears them out. Heavy rain accelerates granule loss, too. If you're seeing piles of granules in your gutters or at the bottom of your downspouts, your roof is telling you it's near the end.
BONUS — SNAKES IN THE TOILET. This one isn't a roof problem, but it's worth knowing. Keep your toilet lid closed when it's not in use. Ever wondered how a snake ends up in someone's house? They don't come through the front door. Gutter downspouts — especially the smaller 2x3 inch size — are an easy climb for a snake working its way up the side of the house. Once it's in the gutter, the methane gas escaping from your 4-inch plumbing vent draws it over, and down the PVC vent pipe it goes — straight into your commode. A piece of hardware cloth (screen) over the top of the plumbing vent will stop this cold. Upgrading to larger 3x4 inch downspouts also makes the climb much harder and lets leaves and debris wash through more easily.
Don't believe it? Google "snakes in commode."
If you've got questions about any of this — or want a free inspection — call us at (512) 740-3215.