The subtropical climate of Georgia, with its humidity, heat and storms, poses its own unique roofing problems for residential homes. Here are the top issues to be aware of and some tips on dealing with them.
Ponding and Lingering Water
In case you haven't noticed, the Southeast can get a lot of precipitation! Unfortunately, frequent rainfall and high humidity encourage moisture to linger on rooftops. On flat roofs or rooftops with low slopes and unprotected valleys, this can lead to ponding water or puddles that stay for days. When water stays on a roof, it soaks into shingles and can cause significant damage, even rotting the underlayment beneath to create serious leak issues.
On rooftops with higher slopes, the long-term presence of moisture can cause different roofing problems, such as moss and algae growth.
Weak or Poorly Installed Shingles
Shingles can struggle in our climate. The high levels of moisture and the storms we experience tend to lower the lifespan of shingles considerably, which is why it's so important to use thicker, weather-resistant shingles that are properly nailed down.
While thin shingles and quick installation may be less expensive in the short term, those types of shingles don't last long during bouts of bad Georgia weather, requiring costly repairs a few years down the road. We frequently see rooftops with shingles that just aren't equipped to handle the climate. Proper shingles should be of the highest quality, weather-resistant material and adequately nailed down, with considerations made for rooftops facing high winds.
Damaged Roof Components Left Unrepaired
Here, a single bad windstorm or hailstorm can crack shingles or blow them away entirely. Because this damage is frequently followed by more rain, it's important to keep track of damaging tiles or shingles, and replace them quickly. Damaged roof materials are a frequent problem in this climate because they quickly open the way for worse leaks that seep down into underlayments, ruin roofing felt, and even cause structural damage.
It's important to keep track of your roof's condition and seek inspections from trusted, experienced local professionals like Findlay Roofing if you see any roofing problems. Bad storms don't just damage roof materials - they also bring out fraudulent storm chasers trying to make a quick buck off homeowner ignorance.
Rust and Warping
We've talked a lot about how moisture damages shingles, but it also has an effect on metal flashing. While flashing comes with protective coatings, frequent rainstorms and the high heat and humidity of summer can still wear down these important metal strips. The result is rust and warping, which exposes the edges of shingles, chimneys and more to leaks.
Inadequate Overhang
Homeowners don't often think about their roof overhang distance, but in climates that deal with plenty of wind and rain, a short overhang can expose siding, doors, windows and your basement or crawl space to streams of water that will damage far more than just your roof. Overhangs large enough to protect homes are very important for everything under your roof, so don't forget about your eaves!
