A punctured roof is an emergency roofing issue that needs immediate attention. These punctures expose the roof to leaks that can lead to interior damage. Punctures happen due to a combination of weight and intense pressure that punches a small area hole.
Punctures cause roof damage by allowing moisture to run through the protective felt and membranes. Roof punctures can happen anytime and are most risky when it exposes underlayment.
Primary Causes of Roof Punctures
The primary cause of roof puncture is primarily due to negligence. Careless behavior or ignoring minor roof issues may cause punctures. Sometimes technicians and roofers who work also damage the roof with their steps and tools.
Another cause of roof punctures is due to falling debris that happens during hails and storms. However, this issue is scarce but still causes damage to roof material and flashing.
Preventive Measures
Whenever roof punctures happen, you need to take some preventive measures to ensure safety. These include:
- Minimize Foot Traffic on the Roof
Minimizing foot traffic on the roof is something that you should take notice of. Roof issues arise eventually, and technicians who work often produce too much foot traffic. Constant stepping causes a small part of the roof to become weak and will eventually break.
Besides technicians, avoid stepping on the roof just for leisure or sunbathing. A little consideration will prevent roof holes from happening and keep your interiors safe.
- Schedule Maintenance
Scheduled maintenance is also a measure that most people often overlook. Maintenance identifies any underlying roof issues that you can address immediately. For example, during maintenance, you might see a visible water log in the roof that you might not notice usually. This small water body will stay there and weaken the roof structure, causing punctures to happen. Scheduled maintenance will keep your roof intact and prevent any mishap from arising.
- Trim Trees Around the House
Always trim branches and large trees around the house to prevent them from crashing on your roof. During windstorms, branches from trees usually break and come crashing, causing roof damage. Regularly trimming the trees is necessary to keep the roof and interior safe.
- Secure Roof Installations
Secure roof installations such as satellite dishes or solar panels firmly to prevent strong winds from ripping them off. Weak installations usually get blown by winds, taking away roof shingles, flashing, and sometimes underlays with them.
- Call The Professionals
The best plan of action is to call the professional roofers immediately after noticing a punctured roof. Professionals can assess the damage and make necessary repairs to secure the roof and prevent further damage.
If you call someone for roof installations or repairs, ensure that they are professionals. Their expertise enables them to take care of foot traffic while working on your roof.
Issues of roof punctures can happen anytime, and identifying the cause might be difficult. However, you can always take measures whenever you identify a puncture to prevent it from happening again. The roof is the part of your home that ensures safety, and you have to keep it in the best shape.
