Most places in Australia have four seasons in a year: winter, spring, summer, and fall. These seasons bring in all kinds of weather and your roof has to endure each of them. This is why having a roofing specialist in your contact list proves to be handy in times of emergencies. You can have your roof repaired right away and enjoy other roof repair service any time of the day.
Some roof types are designed to withstand more and their durability is generally based on several factors such as age, material, design, installation, and the weather they are constantly exposed to.
5 Factors That Affect Roof Lifespan
Age
No roofing material is designed to last a lifetime. Depending on the material, roofs can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years.
Material
Asphalt-based roofs, fibre cement shingles, and wood shake roofs last anywhere from 20-30 years. Meanwhile, slate, copper, and tile roofs can last beyond 50 years, provided that they are well-maintained.
Design
The slope and design of your roof affect the way it manages water. A roof with a great sloping system has lower chances of retaining water, which can be a factor in the early deterioration of your roofing system.
Installation
Poor installation can often cause leaks and other forms of failure in your roofing system. This explains the importance of working with a professional roofing contractor who is skilled and experienced to prevent such defects.
Weather
The climate you are in and the type of weather your roof is often subjected to can also influence the way it ages. If you live in an area that regularly experiences storms and strong winds, then it’s more likely that your roofing will age at a faster rate.
With that said, just what weather conditions have the most significant effect on your roofing? Continue reading further.
The Weather Conditions that Affect Your Roof
Rain
While rain alone doesn’t necessarily damage your roof, existing issues—missing tiles, damaged shingles, or improper installations, for instance—may cause rainwater to leak into your roofs, which may lead into water damages like wood rot, sagging ceiling, and mould and mildew growth. So, look for trusted emergency residential roof repair Ann Arbor MI service to get help with fixing your damaged roofs.
Heat
Your roof is constantly exposed to sun rays and on extremely hot days, even the sun-resistant roofing can expand and shrink, resulting in immediate damage. Asphalt shingles can also crack and become brittle under extreme heat and temperatures.
Humidity
Whereas heat causes shingles to crack, humidity creates moisture in the roof that may affect its structure in the long run. While both damaging in their own rights, they are often experienced together—particularly in the tropical regions of Australia—and the results are far more damaging.
Snow
There’s a reason why you should clear snow off your roof: it can get heavy enough to damage your roof as well as your gutters. Aside from that, ice dams and ridges can build up and when they start to melt, the water will seep under the shingles and refreeze, thus causing further damage.
Winds
Winds can be strong enough to move panels and lift shingles. Such slight movements can expose your structure to the elements, accelerating its wear and tear. Your roof is also at risk of damage from broken branches or falling trees due to strong winds.
Extreme Weathers
Hail, dust storms, and drought—these are merely some of the extreme weathers that plague Australia over the years. Aside from upending its ecosystems, economy, these severe weathers also take a toll on your roofs. They cause billions of dollars in damages and repair to both homes and businesses.
As it turns out, almost all kinds of weather can cause damage to your roof. It may not be as immediate as in extreme conditions but can happen dramatically if roofing inspections are not performed regularly.
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