Tampa with its subtropical climate tends to be hot and humid for the better part of a year. This climate is certainly not very favorable to your roof. So it’s very necessary you conduct roof inspections periodically.
The rainy season in Tampa is hot and wet. A leak on the roof is very difficult to detect unless you keep a diligent eye on it. It is possible that the leak starts at one place but its appearance manifests in another place. The water that seeps into your attic may travel quite a lot before the tell-tale moist patch on your ceiling appears.
A meticulous inspection of your attic would reveal the source of the leak. If you are unable to fix it from above then we recommend you contact a professional roofing contractor that specializes in roof repair in Tampa, FL.If you wait until your ceiling stains then your expenses will increase significantly.
2. Storm damaged shingles
Hurricanes and strong winds are common in Tampa as it’s situated near to the gulf coast. Hail storms are another hazard in this region. Both these climatic events will significantly impact your roof shingles. Some shingles may be lost in strong winds which will create gaps in the roof. This must be fixed on an emergency basis or else it will damage the whole roof structure. The hailstorms are also a common occurrence in Tampa.
Large pieces of ice falling on the roof can break quite a number of tiles if they are clay. The asphalt shingles are also affected by hailstorms. Pieces of shingles will be broken and blown away. If your roof is past its prime, the hail storms can cause erosion of granules from your shingles. These damaged shingles have to be replaced in order to prevent further damage.
3. Clogged Gutters
Tampa climate is often windy and the wind will blow a lot of debris on to your roof and gutters. The gutters must be cleaned and maintained or else the rainwater will overflow, damaging your fascia and leaking into your attic. This will render the attic humid and facilitate mold growth.
4. Pooling Water
On a flat roof pooling may occur after it rains. Rainwater pools at various places on the roof resulting in seepage and overall damage to your roof structure. A slow and steady leak will cause rotting of the roof decking before reaching your ceiling. Another problem is algal growth.
5. Damages from vegetation
Since Tampa experiences strong winds quite often, the nearby vegetation could cause damages to your roof. The leaves and debris littering your roof and gutters is a common problem. If there are overhanging trees then branches are likely to fall onto your roof, causing damages. So it is imperative that vegetation is brought under control by timely trimmings.
6. Wind Damage
Strong winds can cause heavy damages to your roof. Even if the lifting of shingles is the most serious damage caused by wind, it can also bring about damages to roof valleys and flashings. Roof valleys are places where two slopes of the roof join. These valleys are usually covered with metal strips to facilitate easy water run-off. Storms and hurricanes can produce lifts at weak points which will result in roof leaks.
Flashings are places that join your rooftop structures like chimneys and vents. The joints are usually installed with metal pieces to prevent water from entering the roof. Storms and hurricanes may lift and curl the ends of these structures. The caulk can also crack producing leaks. A well-timed inspection and repair can fix these issues before they become a serious problem.
The extreme weather conditions in Tampa calls for efficient and timely check-ups and repair work. Ignoring roof problems as insignificant, however small they may be, will come at a high cost down the road.