To extend the life of your roof, you must do more than look up—you must look all around to spot missing shingles, sagging areas or signs of water damage. With regular roof or siding inspections, it becomes much easier to find and fix problems before they shorten roof longevity.
Winter Wind and Worn Siding: A Recipe for Roof Trouble
Every winter, Columbus, OH gets strong winter winds that whip and tug at your roof. The gusts and shifting air pressure can have a damaging impact on your siding too as it bends and rattles under stress. Any cracked or loose panels will become a weak spot for wind and moisture that can sneak behind the exterior. The pressure that builds up underneath will continue to pull at the edge of the roof and may even loosen shingles. An inspection will locate any vulnerabilities and help determine which types of repairs to make.
Don’t Let Freeze-Thaw Cycles Sneak Into Your Attic
There’s a period of time in Columbus (typically November through March) when the nights experience freezing weather. But during the daytime, it usually warms up, thus creating a freeze-thaw effect that puts stress on the home exterior. Your siding will expand and contract every 24 hours, greatly increasing the risk of cracks, warping or panel separation. The constant shifting that takes place will wear down the roof edges, potentially causing small entry points into the attic for moisture and pests. During an inspection, we’ll carefully look for any signs of movement or hidden damage.
Siding Gaps Invite Rain—And That Means Roof Rot
Gaps in your siding might not seem like a big deal at first, but when the rain comes, you’ll quickly realize the risk. Any rainwater that runs down the walls or seeps behind damaged panels will find its way inside. And once it gets in, it will soak into the wooden structure of your roof. Over time, the trapped moisture may cause wood rot that not only weakens your home exterior but also hurts its energy efficiency. Our inspection process ensures we find and fix any vulnerable spots to keep your home protected year-round.
Melted Snow Finds Weak Spots—Starting With Your Siding
Heavy snowfall is common in Columbus winters. As the heavy snow melts and flows down the siding and gutters, it’ll seep through cracks or loose panels. If it seeps inside gaps or weakened seals, the place where the siding meets the roofline can quickly deteriorate. The water damage can cost thousands of dollars and require major repairs to fix. With regular inspections, we’ll be able to catch these issues before they cause serious damage.
Leaky Siding Can Soak Your Roofline From the Side
The top of your roof isn’t the only place where leaks can occur. Leaks underneath the siding can send water sideways into the roofline itself. When this happens, you may notice wet insulation, ruined roof sheathing or ceiling damage inside the home. An inspection will help with this by identifying hidden moisture paths and checking key connection points so that we can stop the leak before it spreads further.
Humidity Trapped Behind Damaged Siding Breeds Roof Mold
Moisture trapped behind siding or roof joints will eventually turn into mold if there isn’t proper ventilation. Mold does much more than leave behind a musty odor. It also harms your health by triggering allergies and worsening respiratory issues. Plus, it weakens the structural integrity of your roof and walls by slowly breaking down wood and insulation. It’s very common for uninspected roofs to have unnoticed mold that causes roof sagging. With periodic inspections, you won’t have to stress about hidden damage because we’ll catch problems and stop them from spreading.
Poorly Sealed Siding Lets Ice Dams Take Hold Faster
In the winter, heat from inside your home can leak out through poorly sealed siding. As the warmth melts snow on the roof, it’ll thaw and then refreeze, causing ice dams. You don’t want this to happen because it adds extra weight to the roof, which can lead to sagging or structural stress. It can also result in drainage issues by blocking gutters and forcing water under shingles. During the inspections we perform, we’ll check and seal any gaps or weak spots to prevent heat loss and ice buildup.
Rotting Trim Can Spread to Roof Decking Before You Know It
The trim board is the part of the roof that covers and seals the edge where the roof meets the siding. If it starts rotting because of trapped moisture or hidden leaks, it can spread rapidly to the roof decking right next to it. The unsightly damage that it causes may have you repainting or replacing sections of your exterior. But even worse, the rot that results from the moisture can lead to interior leaks inside the home. An inspection will help you catch these issues early so that you don’t have to deal with major structural damage.
Flashing Fails When Siding Isn’t Holding Its Seal
The flashing has the specific job of blocking water where the roof and walls connect. It can only do its job properly if it has a tight seal, strong fasteners and is in good shape. When it pulls away or warps, it leaves the seams exposed to wind-driven rain or melting snow, which can leak moisture inside or outside the wall cavity. Inspections find damaged or warped flashing so that we know exactly where to perform any repairs or resealing.
Older Vinyl Siding Warps and Pulls Away From Roof Edges
Vinyl siding has an average lifespan of 20 to 40 years with proper care. As it gets older, it’ll start cracking or fading, pulling away from the walls and roofline. Updating outdated siding is a key part of extending the roof’s overall lifespan. An inspection will tell us which parts need a replacement.
Don’t Wait for Interior Water Stains to Spot a Siding Issue
Once you see a ceiling stain caused by a roof leak or hidden moisture, the damage has already spread. This is because the water has to saturate insulation and drywall before you notice the stain. And when this happens, it indicates some type of serious issue with the roofing system or siding seal. A regular siding check will find the source of the leak before it causes further damage.
Woodpecker Holes in Siding Can Let Rain Track Upward
Woodpeckers might seem harmless, but they can leave behind holes in your siding that let in water and pests. The rainwater will soak upward through capillary action, which spreads moisture into the roofline and translates into hidden water damage. Siding inspections catch small issues like this early so that you can fix them with no need for major repairs later.
Get the Service You Need Now
The Roof Detective is here to answer any questions you have about using siding inspections to extend roof longevity. Our support for inspections, roof repairs, siding installation and more keeps hidden damage from turning into costly repairs.
Call The Roof Detective today to book a siding inspection for your home in Columbus.
