The debris that floats onto your Houston roof, such as leaves and twigs, may seem small and insignificant, but the truth is that even these seemingly harmless objects can put your roof at risk. So, how exactly does debris affect your roof? It usually damages it as a result of not adequately maintaining the roof structure, especially during Houston's storm season.

It Clogs Your Gutters

When twigs, leaves, and grass start piling up onto your roof, your gutters will be your first line of defense. Over time, accumulated debris will weigh them down and clog them.

Houston is well-known for the severe storms it can face every year. When a rainstorm hits, the water will glide from the top of your roof and into the gutters, but if they're clogged, then the rainwater has nowhere to go and settles instead. Three things can occur as a result of this settled water.

• The built-up water combined with Houston's humid and warm weather invites bacteria and mold to grow in your gutters and even on your roof

• If the water level is high enough, the water will have no choice but to seep back onto the shingles. This can weigh them down, causing buckling and even roof leaks.

• Gutters and downspouts are meant to keep accumulated water away from the rest of your house. If they're clogged, water trying to escape will instead flow down the siding and potentially cause more water damage.

Contact Amstill Roofing Today to Check on the Integrity of Your Roof

The debris that builds up on your Houston roof will eventually accumulate and, before you know it, you will be in need of an extensive repair or even a full roof replacement. 

If your roof has a lot of debris from any of the past storms we've had, then we recommend you contact us for a free roof inspection. We will climb onto your roof and sift through the debris to check on the integrity of your structure and determine whether you are in need of a simple repair or if you will need a replacement. We will also recommend ways to protect your roof so it lasts as long as it possibly can.

We’ve already had a cold front come into town, and Houston is notorious for multiple cold fronts before the temperature stays low for a while. As the weather fluctuates and you adjust the thermostat, pay attention to how the house feels and see if the temperature setting is adequate. If it isn't, then it may be time to repair or replace your Houston roof.

If your house doesn’t feel as comfortable as it should once you’ve adjusted the temperature a number of times, your roofing typically ends up being the culprit.

How Your Houston Roof Affects Your Home’s Temperature

Your roof protects you and your family from the outside elements and serves to help insulate your home.

If you're missing some shingles, if your shingles are cracked, broken, or buckling, or even if your chimney flashing is loose, then you are leaving space for leaks to make their way into your house and into the insulation that is meant to maintain the inside temperature of your home. If the insulation just beneath your roof gets wet, then not only is it inefficient, but it's also very dangerous. Wet insulation can lead to rapid corrosion of roofing materials such as fasteners and studs. Over time the moisture may compromise the structure of your home by causing bowing and warping, and the build-up will encourage mold and bacteria growth.

Aside from internal damage, during the unpredictable temperature changes Houston experiences, a damaged roof with even the slightest of openings will allow your inside cool or warm air to escape and for the outside air to enter. When this happens, you will want to make the house significantly cooler or warmer for longer periods of time just to stay comfortable inside. As many of us know, this will hike up your energy bill.

Contact Amstill Roofing Today For A Free Roof Inspection

The first step when dealing with inadequate temperature settings is to contact us for a free inspection. Our well-trained inspector will determine whether a simple repair or a full roof replacement is necessary. Doing this not only helps us pinpoint the cause of the problem, but it will also help you save you money on your energy bill, as you will no longer need to make the heater work as hard. Most of our roofing jobs are completed in a day, so you can be sure you'll quickly be warm and protected once again.

While Houston is better known for its scorching hot and humid summers rather than its mild winters, that doesn't mean our winters can't still wreak havoc on your roof. It's a good idea to understand what exactly your roof undergoes during the winter, now that the colder temperatures approach us.

Water and Ice Damage

Although it may not seem like it, freezing rain can seriously damage your Houston roof. The reason for this is that as it freezes and becomes icy, it can build up in your gutters, which blocks them and prevents them from doing their job. Their job is solely to allow for proper water drainage away from your roof in order to keep your shingles in-tact. 

Although our winters don't bring excessive rain, we can still get heavy showers at times. In the event that your area does experience heavier rains during the colder months, this can bring damage to your roof. Even though the rain may be solidified, once it starts melting it can potentially flow under and in between your shingles, especially if your gutters are blocked. This can lead to leaks and even mold growth under your roof and inside your house, putting your structure and your family at risk.

On days when Houston experiences freezing temperatures, it's easy for rain to turn to ice and weigh down your roof. If your shingles haven't been inspected in a long time, they could already be compromised and you wouldn't know it until the ice led to your shingles cracking and/or breaking. What's more, if your shingles aren't in-tact during the winter, you will notice your house isn't staying as warm, which will cause a spike in your energy bill.

Wind Damage

We very rarely have snow days, but we definitely have windy days. Cold, harsh winds in the winter can blow underneath loose and old rooftop shingles and blow them completely off of your roof. It becomes even more damaging when this wind is paired with hail or sleet.

If you read our post about hailstorm damage, then you'll know that even small pieces of hail can damage your roof. When paired with sleet that lands on your shingles, they can become weighed down and weakened, making it easier for them to be blown away by the wind.

Get Your Houston Roof Inspected Before Winter

It's extremely important that you get your roof checked right before winter, which is why at Amstill Roofing we offer free roof inspections. We will climb onto your roof and carefully assess the integrity so you can rest assured that your roof will protect you during the colder season. If you haven't received an inspection, please contact us today so we can schedule one.

It's time to establish why you should get regular roof inspections. Inspection is the best preventative measure you can take to ensure your roof is in good condition, especially now that we are slowly nearing colder weather. You want to be sure your roof is providing the protection you, your family, and the rest of your home need. In addition, getting a free roof inspection by Amstill will save you money in the long run, not only because it doesn't cost you money, but it will also help us catch any signs that you may need repairs before problems become costly, both in terms of money and in terms of your safety.

Inspect Your Houston Roof AT LEAST Twice a Year

A good rule to follow is to get a free roof inspection by our trained roof inspectors at least two times a year. We recommend you get your roof checked in the spring and in the fall, as these times of year offer milder conditions. By having us check on your roof during the mild seasons, we can ensure it will be ready and reliable for protection against the harsher climates of the summer and winter. Just because we don’t typically get snow in our Houston winters doesn’t mean you should skip out on your fall inspection, as the weather can be unpredictable. On top of that, temperatures tend to drop during the night, so ensuring your roof is in good condition will ensure your house is well heated and your energy bill won’t be higher than it should be.

Complete Regular Roof Check-Ups In Between Inspections

You may think that getting a free roof inspection twice a year is enough, but the truth is that you should regularly monitor your roof in between our inspections. Now, you don’t have to climb onto your roof–and you shouldn’t if you don’t have the proper training–but keep an eye on your shingles, gutters, and downspouts from the upstairs bedroom windows or from the driveway or backyard. This is a very useful habit to have and will only further protect your investment. Keep an eye out for cracks and buckling, especially after a weather threat occurs, such as a hurricane, hailstorm, or the rare snowfall we get.

Contact Our Houston Roofers For a Free Roof Inspection Today

All of our inspections are free, so please contact us for your next roof inspection so we can ensure your structure maintains its integrity and protects you. If you are afraid you won’t catch the more subtle signs of aging or damage, rest assured our trained experts will.

Your roof is the most essential part of your house that protects you from the outside elements, so it is imperative that you know the signs your roof exhibits when it's time for a roof replacement.

Aging

Aging is the first, most obvious sign you should look at. Most roofs last an average of 20 years, but your shingles may mean your roof lasts more or less than 20 years. However, at Amstill Roofing we recognize that it can be easy to lose track of when you last received a new roof, so it's also a great idea to go into your attic and look around for water stains or damp and soggy insulation. This could mean your roof has given out and has slowly allowed for water to seep in.

Are Your Shingles Still In-Tact?

The next key sign that you are in need of a roof replacement lies within your shingles. They should lay flat against your roof, so keep an eye on the edges and corners of your rooftop, where shingles are most prone to curling. Although you should look at your roof from below so you can get a clear view of any curling that has taken place, this isn't the only damage that shingles can undertake. Cracks and sunk in areas and missing shingles are also clear signs that your roof has aged and given out.

Another sign to look for when assessing if you need a roof replacement is checking the granules on your shingles. Shingles are topped with granules as a way to enforce them and offer some added protection. If you find that they're missing granules, then your shingles have been compromised.

Roof Rotting

An obvious indicator that your roof needs immediate replacement is finding signs of rot. Trapped moisture and sagging spots are also hints that suggest it's time for a new roof. Trapped moisture is easy to spot out. If you see sections of your roofing that have mold, fungus streaking, and even moss, then this means your roof is holding moisture and you quickly need a replacement.

Amstill Roofing Will Complete One-Day Roof Replacement in Houston

We don't recommend you climb onto your roof if you don't have the proper training or equipment, but if you can see from afar that your roof is exhibiting some of these signs, please contact us for a free inspection. We will climb up onto your roof and conduct a thorough inspection to ensure you get a full roo replacement.  

Roof replacement should be done every 20 years or so. The type of shingles you use will dictate whether you should replace your roof before 20 years, or if it can last even beyond that. In between replacement, though, repairs will be needed in order to ensure you aren't replacing it before its lifespan comes to an end. When you need roof replacement or roof repairs, going through your insurance is very helpful. Here are the steps we recommend you take when it comes to working with your insurance to meet your roofing needs.

Step 1

First and foremost, we recommend getting a free roof inspection by our roofers so that they can fully assess the damage that your roof has undergone. It is also helpful to read through your insurance policy in order to better understand how much coverage you can get. In general, roofs that are less than 10 years old may be fully covered by your insurance if you need to repair or replace it. 

Step 2

Second, we recommend you contact your insurance company and file a claim for the desired repair or replacement. Keep in mind that your insurance company will likely want extra documentation, so make sure you take photos while your roof is still in-tact and save those for when you need to fix it. This, in addition to our reliable and well-trained roofing inspectors, will only strengthen your claim.

Step 3

Once you have filed a claim, your insurance company will send an insurance adjuster who will complete their own roof inspection so that they can give you and the company a cost estimate. We highly encourage you to schedule a time slot for the inspection to one in which both the adjuster and our own inspectors can attend. This way we can ensure the adjuster doesn't miss anything and offers less coverage than you need or deserve. Additionally, since we offer inspections for free, you won't be adding any more costs to account for. 

Amstill is the Company For All Your Houston Roofing Needs

If you suspect your roof is in need of repairs or a replacement, please contact Amstill Roofing today so that our Houston roofers can conduct a free roof inspection and help get you started on the repair or replacement process. Once your claim is approved, we will schedule a day to complete repairs and bring all the necessary supplies. Most of our roofing projects are completed in one day and we promise to never over-charge or complete unnecessary repairs.