Having a well-installed roof is essential for protecting your home and family. If your roof has sustained damage, it can have a negative impact on your property, including ceilings, walls, and even your foundation. Many roofing issues go unnoticed until it’s too late, but you can prevent costly repairs by being aware of the most common residential roofing problems. Here are the top five.

1. Poor Installation
A structurally sound roof requires a proper installation. If your roof isn’t installed correctly, it can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, or blisters.

2. Leaks
When water gets under the layers of your roof, it can cause mold and rot, especially if it pools or sits on your roof due to improper gutter drainage. Common causes of roof leaks are cracked flashing and broken shingles. Leaks are likely to occur near the chimney, under damaged shingles, at flashing points, around gutters, at skylights, and close to vents and pipes.

3. Critters
Birds, bats, mice, and insects can all compromise the structural integrity of your roof. Termites that eat at the roof materials or small animals that burrow into it to store food and nest can leave holes which can lead to further problems.

4. Trees
Trees bring a variety of risks to your roof. Those close to the roof lines provide an easy way for critters to invade. Overhanging tree limbs can cause mold growth and scratch the roof surface, wearing down its top layer. Tree branches swaying in the wind can knock off tiles or flashing from the roof, or worse, the entire tree could fall and cause serious structural damage.

5. Buckling or Curling Shingles
Shingles buckle or curl because of age, excessive moisture and heat, and poor installation. These weakened shingles are prone to cracking or breaking off due to their rigidity. Buckling or curling shingles indicate that your roof needs to be replaced.

A licensed and fully-insured installer like Pinnacle Roofing can assess your roof’s condition and provide an estimate.