Roof Damage and Normal Wear: What Are the Differences?

Damage and normal wear caused by aging ultimately have the same debilitating effect on a roof. As a homeowner, knowing the differences can help you make informed decisions on how to approach repairs. In today’s post, local roofing contractor Quality Assurance Roofing takes a look at the key differences between these two.

Roof Aging

Roofing wear is caused by exposure to the elements, which happens over the course of the roof’s life span. A roof’s resilience is measured in its expected life span: asphalt shingle roofs are expected to last 20 to 30 years, metal roofs 50 years, others like tile and slate can last over 100 years. The more pronounced the signs of wear, the closer it is to the end of its expected service life.

On asphalt shingle roofs, the most common sign of aging is the loss of granules, which is due to erosion caused by rainwater runoffs. As this occurs, the asphalt layer becomes more visible, resulting in dark spots on the shingles. On galvanized steel roofs, exposure to the elements can damage the outer coatings and expose the underlying metal to corrosion. On flat commercial roofing systems, aging can be signified by a combination of cracking, discoloration and broken seams.

Roof Damage

In contrast, damage to the roof is generally caused by external forces, such as impact caused by airborne debris or hailstones and stress caused by high speed winds. It may also be caused by human error like poor construction techniques or substandard materials. Damage is usually localized and can be isolated from the rest of the roof.

Wear, Damage and Roof Repairs

For most homeowners, the salient point here is repairs. It goes without saying that normal wear and tear is irreversible, however, it can be slowed down through periodic maintenance. Choosing a roofing system with a longer expected life span can also help keep replacements fewer and farther in between. If a roof is determined to be wearing out prematurely, it may be covered by the roofing warranty.

Fixing a damaged roof, on the other hand, is not as cut-and-dried. Damage caused by defective materials or poor workmanship is typically covered by the roof’s and/or contractor’s warranty, depending on the coverage, and therefore must be handled by your roofing contractor. Repairs for or replacement of an out-of-warranty roof will have to be paid out-of-pocket. Contrastingly, damage caused by impact or wind is usually covered by homeowners’ insurance (after deductibles), but some roofs are warranted for impact and wind damage — again depending on its coverage.

Taking the time to understand your roof’s warranty and insurance coverage can help you make the right decisions when you need help with roof repairs, or even a replacement. Your residential roofing contractors at Quality Assurance Roofing will be happy to answer your roofing questions. Give us call at (479) 279-8500, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Rogers, AR, and the surrounding communities.