The San Francisco Bay area is a beautiful place to live, with magnificent trees and foliage. Unfortunately, heavy rains, wind, and local wildlife can lead to broken limbs, dead leaf build up, and other debris on your roof causing damaged shingles and clogged gutters.

These may reduce the life of your roof, and potentially lead to leaks that can cause damage to the structure and interior .

It is recommended to address roof issues and perform roof repairs early , to ensure that your roof is water tight.

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What’s causing the damage to your roof? Let’s take a look at a few common culprits.

Foliage

Heavy wind and rain can break branches and cause whole trees to fall which can be disastrous for your roof.

Consult a local arborist or otherwise inspect your trees and trim back or cut down any that may be weak due to disease or age.

Debris

The slow buildup of dead leaves and other debris on your roof traps moisture and provides homes for insects and other unwanted pests in gutters, around chimneys, behind decorative coverings, and in other crevices. Over time, this degrades your shingles and may cause premature aging and breakdown of your roof. 

A thorough annual cleaning will help prevent this type of damage to your roof. 

Pests

As homeowners, we all know the damage that wild life can create. Birds, raccoons, mice, rats, insects and even bats, may seek a nice sturdy, well-constructed roof to burrow and nest in.

A yearly inspection by a pest control company can head off major damage to your roof.

Moisture and Rain

Wind driven rain  along with  strong wind gusts can damage and potentially penetrate the protective mineral coating on asphalt shingles.    These extreme conditions on an aging roof can lead to shingles lifting and pulling up from the substrate.   This can result in damage to your roof, allowing water, debris, and pests to enter. 

You can’t control the weather, but you can call a professional for a thorough inspection of your roof.

Flashing Damage

Roof flashing refers to the thin strips of  metal sheeting used to weather proof and divert water away from seams  around chimneys, vents, and decorative areas,  and as well as roof edges.  Due to conditions listed above,  along with UV exposure, the compound forming the sealant can become loose, dried or cracked.  This creates the way for leaks, water damage, and entry-points  of smaller pests.

A professional inspection of your roof will identify issues with the flashing, as well as the shingles,  to prevent any possible damage.

Gutters and Downspouts

Properly cleaned gutters [link to gutter cleaning here] are essential for preserving and extending the life of your roof. Gutters that are filled with debris,  damaged or poorly maintained, can lead to water dams and further debris build-up.  This may  lead to rot and water damage to your roof.

Cleaning gutters and clearing downspouts annually , will ensure to protect your roof and your building. 

Repairing  or replacing loose or damaged sections is also important to continue to protect your home or structure. 

Skylights

Properly installed skylights can add light, adding to the beauty  of your home. Unfortunately, improperly installed skylights can have poorly fitted rubber seals , and can dry or wear out with age, leading to leaks and damage.

For peace of mind, Worried about your skylights? Give us a call  to schedule an inspection of your skylights.

These are just a few of issues that can plague the roofs in our Palo Alto neighborhoods. If caught early, roof repairs can save money, not to mention protecting your important investment – your home! It’s best to act now to extend the life of your roof until a full re-roof is necessary.

Check our roofing customer testimonials, for confidence we won’t lead you astray.