HOW POOR ROOF DRAINAGE CAN AFFECT YOUR ENTIRE HOME

Your roof is durable enough to withstand damage from sun, wind, and rain. However, without a proper drainage system, water and snow that builds on the roof cannot properly escape. If you’ve been neglecting your drainage system, or it’s damaged, check out these areas of your home that can be negatively impacted.

 

The Roof

Your roof’s shingles protect the underlying structure from moisture to prevent leaks and water damage inside the home. However, when shingles become damaged they can fail. One common reason your shingles experience major wear and tear is standing water.

The longer the water remains on your roof, the more time it has to penetrate the shingles and reach the unprotected underlying wood. If the water freezes while under the shingles, it can worsen the damage or even cause the shingles to become loose. If leaks occur, you may not notice until water spots or stains form inside the attic or on the ceiling.

 

The Siding

If the water is not able to properly drain because your gutters are clogged, you have missing gutters, or the gutters are damaged, the water will eventually spill over the side of the roof (on sloped roofs). However, this situation allows the water to come in contact with your home’s siding, which puts you at risk of developing damage or mold on the siding.

Some siding options are more water-resistant than others, but depending on the type of siding you have, long-term exposure to water can cause peeling, chipping, or even rotting. The water and decayed materials can also attract insects, which cause more damage and may get inside your home.

 

The Foundation

When the water overflows from clogged gutters or simply slides off your roof without a proper drainage system, it can also affect your home’s foundation and any other concrete. If water is pooling around the base of your home, it slowly deteriorates the cement, weakening it and causing cracks. If there is significant water, you may even notice flooding in the basement or crawlspace.

Walkways, driveway and patios can also be affected by the water. While this may not be as significant as damage to the foundation, it can affect the beauty of your concrete.

Eventually, where the water hits will erode the cement to create uneven indents. Standing water on cement can also promote moss growth, which may increase the risk of slipping. In the winter, the water can freeze and become hazardous ice.

 

The Landscaping

Your home’s drainage system is more than gutters and downspouts. There should also be drains underground that divert the water far away from your home and yard. This setup is because of erosion, which can destroy and change the shape of your yard. When water spills over the roof, it will eventually find its way to the lowest point.

Even if the lowest point is far away from your home, however, the path of the water will cause erosion, which can create a path of mud and dirt right through your lawn or beautiful flowerbed.

Of course, the water can also flood these plants, killing them as it drains. Even if the water doesn’t destroy anything, it will slowly pull bits of dirt with it, which will change the shape of the dirt.

To keep your roof looking great and working well, you need to properly maintain it, and one of the most important steps of caring for your roof is ensuring it has adequate drainage. Without a good drainage system, water can destroy many parts of your home.

 

If you would like to know more about maintaining your roof, contact us today at Seagate Roofing and Foundation Services.