Roof Puncture: What To Do if Something Punctures Your Roof

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Your roof is a critical part of your home. It protects you and your belongings from weather elements, changing weather, and animals. A roof puncture can lead to water damage, animal invaders, high energy bills, and animal intruders.

As the harsh winter weather clears up, homeowners are more likely to spend time on the roof, whether it’s for routine upkeep, appliance repairs, or just plain fun. However, the increased roof activity increases the risk of roofing issues, such as unintentional roof punctures.

A roof with a hole in it is an urgent roofing issue that requires prompt attention. Roof punctures expose the roof to leaks from rainwater, which can damage the roof and cause interior house damage. Punctures happen when a heavy object exerts enough pressure over a tiny region to punch a hole.

When a roof’s protecting felt and membranes are punctured, water can seep through and cause significant damage. Anytime a hole is punctured in a roof, the underlayment is at risk. So contact a professional roofing contractor in Greenville, SC, to schedule a roof inspection and repair.

What Is a Roof Puncture?

A roof puncture is a hole in the roofing material, often caused by a blend of weight and intense pressure. But small and large punctures are extremely dangerous because they are easy to miss. A puncture can pierce the protective felt and membranes, allowing moisture to cause severe damage.

Roof punctures often happen without any warning signs. However, the roof is at a greater risk of severe damage when the underlayment is exposed. Flat roofs are more prone to roof punctures than slanted ones because of the differences in weight displacement.

Common Causes of Roof Punctures

There are various reasons that can cause a roof puncture. Below are some of the most common:

Tree Damage

Tree branches and even complete trees can fall and pierce a roof. For example, if a tree’s trunk is rotting, then it could fall and smash through your roof.

It’s also common for trees near a home to be damaged or even uprooted when a big storm passes through the area. Heavier tree branches cause more severe roof damage than lighter ones.

Foot Traffic on the Roof

If you frequently walk on your roof, you risk damaging or puncturing it. Your body weight can break roof shingles or tear the roof membrane.

The damage is more likely to occur when people walk on your roof without knowing where the weak spots are. Punctures are also more common in older roofs than in new ones.

Roof Installations 

If you’re not careful when installing anything on your roof, you could end up with a puncture in your roof. Rooftop HVAC systems, communication devices, and television antennas require roof penetration.

Punctures are easily created when an installer fails to seal the area around the installations properly. When installers make too many holes in the roof and forget to seal them properly, leaks can result.

Accidental Dropping of Tools

Anyone who takes tools and equipment on the roof risks damage. For example, your roof can sustain damage if you drop a heavy object, such as a hammer, drill, or other equipment.

It’s not uncommon for do-it-yourself installers to hurt themselves because they didn’t use safety precautions like tool organizers, harnesses, or bags to keep their tools in one place.

Animals 

Animals of all kinds love to perch on top of homes, but they may also severely damage your roof. The roof membrane could be damaged by animals such as raccoons, squirrels, and birds.

Damaged roofs are more likely to sustain more damage from animals because the animals can have easy access to the weak places created by the previous damage.

Hailstones

If the hail is large enough and the storm powerful enough, it can seriously puncture the roof. The amount of damage caused by hail depends on parameters like the size and velocity of the hail, the density of the hail, and the age of the roof.

Gusty Winds

There are multiple ways in which strong winds might puncture a roof. If there are severe winds, the roof can rise or even come off entirely. Heavy objects thrown by strong winds can also potentially puncture a roof.

Rust and Rot

Many metal roofs are resistant to water and weather but can still rust over time. Holes can appear in a metal roof if rust attacks it long enough. Your roof’s shingles and protection can wear off because of water and moss caused by wood rot. This often leads to gaps in the roof structure.

What to Do Next After a Roof Puncture in Greenville, SC

After identifying the problem with your roof, the next step is taking action. Repairing your roof as soon as possible can give you the confidence that your family is safe from the elements.

Roof Inspection

If you have any doubts about potential holes or punctures in your Greenville roof, call us. At Lanier Roofing and Restoration, we bring over 100 years of combined roofing experience to your project.

Our highly skilled team will conduct a roof inspection promptly and precisely and recommend the best course of action.

Repair vs. Replacement

One of the most pressing concerns for our customers is whether to immediately repair the roof or replace it entirely after storm damage. The answer depends on the dynamics of each family. Therefore it’s impossible to generalize.

We will provide you with frank, no-commitment advice to help you weigh the benefits of roof repair versus replacement so that you can make an informed decision. Our dedicated roofers will detail all the pros and cons of your choices and let you make the final call.

Leak Repair on the Roof

Whether your roof leak is due to wind damage or punctures made by incompetent roofers, the particular action necessary to correct it will vary. Luckily, the roofers at Lanier Roofing and Restoration are well-versed in working with all roofing materials.

Hire the Best Roofing Contractor in Greenville, SC

Lanier Roofing is among the top roofing contractors in Greenville, South Carolina, and surrounding areas. Our primary goal is to provide outstanding service tailored to each client. Many roofing manufacturers have recognized us as experts in their products, and we have the certification to prove it.

We offer free estimates for roofing projects, so feel free to contact us at (864) 990-4836 if you’re interested in getting one for your next roof installation, replacement, or repair project.

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