Common Roof Problems in Fayetteville
Roofs in Fayetteville wear out in ways that are particular to this place. The city has a humid subtropical climate, sits in the pine country of the Sandhills and lies close enough to the coast to feel the remains of hurricanes. Knowing the usual problems helps you spot one early, when it is still a small repair. Our team put this guide together for Fayetteville homeowners; if you see any of these signs on your own roof, call (910) 748-5341 today for a quote.
Heat and sun
Fayetteville summers are hot. The average July high is above 91 degrees, and the highest temperature ever recorded in North Carolina, 110 degrees, was measured here in August 1983. Heat dries out the asphalt in shingles so that they turn brittle, curl at the edges and crack. It hardens the rubber collars on vent boots and dries out sealant, and it makes metal roofs expand and contract until screws loosen. Good attic ventilation lets some of that heat escape. Our team is fully committed to reliable roof repair in Fayetteville.
Humidity and algae
The black streaks that run down so many shingle roofs here are not dirt. They are colonies of Gloeocapsa magma, a cyanobacterium that feeds on moisture and on the limestone filler in fibreglass shingles, and the warm, humid Southeast suits it perfectly. It holds moisture on the roof and loosens the protective granules. Do not pressure wash it; that strips granules. A gentle, low-pressure cleaning treatment is the accepted method, and it is a job for someone equipped to work safely on a roof.
Storms and wind
Hot, humid afternoons set off sudden thunderstorms, and larger events are on record: the EF3 tornado of April 16, 2011, which destroyed about 150 houses in northwestern Fayetteville, Hurricane Matthew on October 8, 2016 and Hurricane Florence in September 2018. Wind breaks the seal under shingles, creases the tabs, lifts ridge caps and pulls flashing loose. Damage of that kind may not leak until the next heavy rain, which is why a check after a storm matters. We will ensure that your storm damage roof repair in Fayetteville is handled by professionals.
Trees and debris
The Sandhills are longleaf pine country, and the longleaf carries needles 8 to 18 inches long and cones 6 to 10 inches long. Needles mat together in valleys, behind chimneys and in gutters, where they hold water against the roof and send it sideways under the shingles. Cones and limbs bruise shingles and dent metal. Keep gutters and valleys clear, and have limbs that hang over the roof cut back by a tree professional before storm season.
Flashing failures
Most leaks begin at a joint, not in the open roof. Flashing around chimneys, walls, skylights and valleys rusts, lifts or loses its sealant, and the rubber boots around plumbing vents crack in the heat. Older houses, such as those in Haymount built between about 1817 and 1950, often carry several generations of flashing repairs around their brick chimneys. Our team is focused on high-quality flashing and vent repair across Fayetteville. More detail: flashing and vent repair.
Aging shingles
Every shingle roof wears out eventually, and heat and humidity speed it up. The signs are granules collecting in the gutters, bald or shiny patches, curled edges, cracked tabs and shingles that no longer lie flat. An ageing roof can often be kept sound with repairs for a time, but when the problems are spread across every slope, it is worth reading our guide to roof repair or replacement.
Signs to act
Call a roofer when you see any of these:
- A new stain on a ceiling or wall
- Shingles, flashing or metal trim in the yard
- Daylight or water marks in the attic
- Gutters full of granules
- A sagging line along the ridge or between rafters
- Water standing on a flat roof two days after rain
Small problems are simple repairs; the same problems after another storm season are not. When you need roof repair in Fayetteville, our team is ready to help. Call (910) 748-5341 today for a quote.