By Dallwig Brothers
•
May 12, 2020
It goes without saying that weather can make a huge impact on our world around us. If a rainstorm and high winds can cause trees to topple you can guarantee it can damage your home. Salem, Oregon is known for being very wet, so it’s best to make sure your roof can weather the storm. We may not be the coldest region in the Northwest, but we sure do see repercussions of wind, rain, ice and snow! The combination of strong winds and excessive water can cause missing shingles and a leaky roof. It’s important to inspect your roof after a storm to spot signs of damage. A missing shingle is an obvious sign to look for, but even if all are present you may still have damage beneath the shingle. The shingle seal may be broken one side. If the granules are worn off on the shingle above the damaged one you may be able to see thin horizontal lines, indicating where the loose shingle below has been blowing against it. Hail, while less common in Oregon, still likes to make an appearance once in a while and can impact your roofing materials as well. Your roof can get bruised and banged up by those little ice droplets. Over time water will leak through the sealant and you may even be able to spot noticeable divots on your house’s hat. Snow is another real but rare occurrence, but as we know, it doesn’t take long for snow and ice to accumulate if the conditions are right. When these elements do accumulate they overstress your roof, cause sagging, leaking and ultimately collapse. The cycle of freezing and thawing will also loosen your shingles and create cracks and opened gutter seams. There’s a good chance that any time moisture builds up, you have the (not so) ideal growing conditions for mildew, mold, and rotting to occur below the surface. You may be able to manage the damage if you catch the leak before it’s too late. Making sure to clear your roof periodically will help prevent the weight of debris, snow and ice from sinking your roof and damaging sealant. If you already see some water leaking into your home, you can try to manage it on your own. Using a wet vac and a fan you can extract the moisture, ensuring you stop the leak from spreading and rotting any of the neighboring structure. But, as a word of caution, if you are attempting your own repairs, you must have the proper materials to doctor your roof properly. Always ask a professional, like us, if you aren’t sure. Repairing with improper adhesives, for example, can cause more damage than you bargained for. We can also help you identify how serious the damage is in case further measures need to be taken. If you live in Portland, Or or Salem, Or, Dallwig Brothers Building Supply is your best option for high quality materials and a wealth of knowledge in all things roofing!