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The Most Common Roofing Problems in Colorado

The weather here in Colorado can bring severe, damaging storms. Whether it be hail, rain, wind, or snow, Highlands Ranch homeowners may find themselves with damaged roofing at any point in the year. While damage to your roof may not always seem like an urgent issue, it can lead to serious problems throughout your home. Water damage, for example, can reach the foundation of your home and require extensive repairs. 

Highlands Ranch homeowners struggle with many of the same roofing problems. Here, we’ll talk about the most common roofing issues in Colorado, along with warning signs of roof damage to look out for. When in doubt, always remember to contact your local roofing experts for an inspection. 

Colorado Hailstorms: A Risk For Your Roof

Colorado has some of the most frequent severe hailstorms in the nation. In fact, northeastern Colorado is part of “hail alley” – an area known for seeing the largest number of hailstorms throughout the year than any other part of the country. Besides northeastern Colorado, western Nebraska and southeastern Wyoming make up hail alley. Depending on who you ask, areas of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas would also be included. 

No matter which way you look at it, hailstorms are one of the most prominent types of severe weather that we receive as Coloradans. So, it’s unsurprising that roof hail damage is a serious problem for homeowners in Highlands Ranch and across the state. The most common types of roof hail damage include:  

• Dents and dings
• Damaged, broken, or missing shingles or tiles
• Leakage

Left alone, roof hail damage can become worse and eventually require more extensive repairs. So, after a Colorado hailstorm, make sure to call your Highlands Ranch roof repair experts. We’ll evaluate the damage and efficiently repair any damage to restore your roof to top condition.  

Roof Tree Damage

In Highlands Ranch and throughout Colorado, many homeowners have multiple trees on their property. While beautiful landscaping is a plus for any homes, trees can pose a risk to your roofing system when they’re not properly maintained. 

There are a few different ways in which trees can damage your roof. These main risks include:

Fallen and Overhanging Branches

Tree branches that are near your roof can cause multiple types of damage. If branches break and fall onto your roof, they can scratch, dent, or even puncture the surface of your roof. In more severe cases, fallen branches can pull entire shingles from your roof. This may cause a roof leak, which would require immediate attention to avoid damage to the interior of your home.

Even if they don’t break and fall onto your roof, overhanging branches can scratch your roof, causing damage. Asphalt shingle roofing systems are particularly susceptible to damage from overhanging branches. The branches may scratch asphalt granules off of the shingles, compromising their durability. 

You can avoid roof damage from branches by trimming back nearby trees on a regular basis.   

Debris From Trees

Leaves, pine needles, and other debris from trees can harm your roof. When it accumulates on your roof, debris from nearby trees can trap moisture. That moisture will eventually lead to the deterioration of your roofing materials, creating the need for a roof replacement. You can leverage this risk by regularly clearing debris off of your roof. Maintaining nearby trees will also help keep debris off of your roof. 

Animals

Trees that are positioned close to your roof give animals, namely squirrels, the opportunity to jump onto it. This won’t immediately damage your roof. But, if squirrels decide to nest in your Highlands Ranch roofing system, you’ll have a larger issue on your hands. Again, trimming back nearby trees can help keep animals off of your roof. 

Fallen Trees

Fallen trees aren’t the most common type of roof damage in Highlands Ranch. But, with trees near your home, it’s certainly possible for a tree to die and fall onto your property. Even a small tree can cause major damage to your roof if it falls onto your home. So, make sure to evaluate the health of the trees on your property. If a tree is ill, unstable, or dying, have it professionally removed. Just make sure to abide by local bylaws for cutting down trees.