There are a number of possible roofing problems you could run into in Texas
We hate to break it to you, but when it comes to being a homeowner in Texas, the number of potential roofing problems is practically endless. Every true Texan knows and understands the struggles of dealing with fiery heat, golf-ball-sized hail, and winds so heavy they’ll take your little pooch for a ride if you’re not careful.
And all of these issues can cause severe damage to your roof. When it comes to the most common roof issues in Texas, they can be broken up into two categories - storm-related damage and non-storm-related damage.
Texas is known for its storms, particularly, hail and wind storms. The weather here just isn’t for the faint of heart. And it’s not for weak or poorly built roofs either.
You probably groaned just from seeing the words “hail damage”. Yes, hail is one of the most dreaded things about living in Texas because it really does destroy everything in its path. Some specialty shingles help reduce the risk of roof damage, but at the end of the day, you should still be wary and on the lookout for potential leaks.
The bigger the hail, the worse the damage. From our experience here at Parish Roofing Solutions, we’ve found that if the hail is between pea and penny-sized, your roof is likely just fine. But if the hail is the size of a quarter or bigger, it’s best to have your roof inspected.
Even if there are no visible leaks from the inside, that doesn’t mean there is no damage. The hail can shift, bend, and break the shingles, which will allow water to seep in. And over time, water and moisture will rot the very foundation of your roof. Once it starts, it will only continue to spread.
If hail has damaged your roof, you’ll likely need to get a full roof replacement. There’s just no avoiding it, unfortunately. The best thing to do is call us so we can come inspect your roof. We’ll let you know the best course of action to take. And if your roof needs to be replaced, we’ll give you a new one that you can trust to keep out the elements.
Wind damage usually isn’t as serious as hail damage simply because the problem tends to be isolated to only one or two areas. If the wind hits your roof just right, it can shift or tear off shingles, but it rarely affects the entire roof. So the problem can easily be fixed with a simple repair job.
Some factors can make your roof particularly susceptible to wind damage. If you have a new home or an old roof, you’re more likely to need repairs after a wind storm. This is because new homes tend to have cheaper shingles like three-tab shingles put on, and cheaper shingles are less likely to hold up. Three-tab shingles can only take winds up to 50 mph, and that’s practically a nice day for Texas. On the other hand, if you have an old roof that hasn’t been replaced in a while, wind damage is also likely. All it takes is one bad shingle to have wind damage, and this is more likely to be the case on older roofs.
But just because you don’t fall into one of these categories, it doesn’t mean wind damage to your roof isn’t possible. Look around for any shingles that have fallen off your roof. You can also check for broken gutters and leaks around the home.
So if you just moved into a new home, have cheap shingles, have an old roof, or notice any suspicious signs of roof damage, the best thing to do after a storm with heavy winds is to call us at Parish Roofing. We’ll give you a free roof inspection and let you know the best course of action if we notice any damage.
While the busiest time of the year for us is during storm season, we get lots of calls for various non-storm-related reasons as well. Here are some of the most common repairs we do that typically don’t relate to a storm.
You probably have somewhere between 6-8 PVC pipes in your roof. We tend to find them around bathrooms, sinks, and garbage disposals. And the only thing used to keep water and debris out of these pipes is flashing and a rubber gasket. And this tends to work pretty well. However, the lifespan of rubber, especially when exposed to the Texas summer heat, is only a few years. The heat dries out the rubber and causes the gasket to blister, creating areas where leaks can form. And yet it’s something that most people never think to check.
If you can’t find any issues with the roof itself and still have a leak, the PVC pipes are the next place to check.
Along your roof are thousands of nails that hold your shingles in place. And as small and insignificant as they may seem, they actually play a major role in maintaining the integrity of your roof. Without them, you couldn’t have shingles to keep the weather out.
At the same time though, we intentionally create more holes in your roof in order to put those shingles up. And more holes mean more opportunities for roof leaks. That’s why nails should be carefully caulked over so that moisture can’t slip through.
Over time, that caulking can deteriorate, leading to leaks in your roof. So it’s important to recaulk the nails on your roof every so often to make sure none of them are exposed.
If you have any dips or flat areas on your roof, chances are that you have or will have debris and water buildup at some point in your roof’s lifetime.
Debris such as leaves and twigs and the like seems like it’d be completely harmless on your roof. However, once it gathers, it can actually trap water in your roof’s weak spots. With no way to escape that water sits and sits, wearing down the protective barriers and eventually finding its way it in and creating leaks.
Roofs are only meant to last so long, and Texas roofs take a much harder beating than in other areas in the US. It’s a known fact that the sun speeds up the aging process in people, but did you know that it also speeds up the aging of your shingles? It’s true, and it’s one of the reasons why it feels like Texans rotate through roofs faster than you can say “Gosh it’s hot out here!”
Even if you have a strong roof that has managed to withstand hail and wind storms, blazing summer heat, and normal wear and tear, eventually, it will still reach the end of its life. If you have an old roof, you’ll likely need a replacement soon.
So we’ve discussed how the sun can add years to a roof. But there’s another thing that can also cause the same or worse issue. And that’s literally cooking your shingles from the inside out.
This happens when you have an attic that doesn’t have proper ventilation. Not only do your shingles have to suffer from the direct heat of the sun, but that heat can get absorbed and trapped in your attic space. This causes the asphalt to warp and crack, leading to worn-out shingles that seem much older than they are.
If this is the problem, you will need to replace your roof and also put in a proper attic ventilation system. When you call us at Parish Roofing Solutions, we’ll take care of it all for you - after we give you a free inspection of course, to make sure you get a proper roof diagnosis.
Whether it’s time for a routine roof checkup, you need a complete roof replacement, you’ve just been hit by a storm, or you have an unexpected problem with your roof, we at Parish Roofing have the solutions you need.
Give us a call and we’ll come out to give you an inspection, free of charge, before ever beginning work on your roof.
When you need your roof repaired, Parish Roofing Solutions is the company to call! That’s because we know that roof repair is more than just construction – it’s about protecting your home and family from the harsh power of the elements. And according to our amazing clients, we’re the best roofing company around.
Just because there is a problem with your roof does not mean that it needs to be replaced.
Our roof replacement services include a total roofing system replacement.
We handle all manner of hail damage and inclement weather restoration.
Our commercial roofers are experienced with both industrial and retail roof repair solutions.
Parish Roofing Solutions provides the highest-quality roofing to North Texas families, protecting their most precious investment in a sustainable, permanent way.
We take pride in serving our customers and the local community.
Parish Roofing Solutions serves the entire DFW area, from Fort Worth to McKinney. Your roof helps protect your home from the most recurring form of damage, Texas weather, and it deserves special attention. You can count on Parish Roofing Solutions to get the job done right.
