As a homeowner, there are many things you need to worry about. One of the more important things is your roof. If left unchecked, even minor problems can lead to massive repairs that will cost you money and take time away from other projects on your list. This article covers the eleven worst enemies of your roof with tips on avoiding or combating them!

Rain and Hail: This is one of the most common problems homeowners experience. If you live in an area prone to thunderstorms or hail, there’s a good chance that these two are going to do some damage at least once during your tenure living there. The best way to protect yourself from this problem is by purchasing roofing insurance.

Wind: This isn’t quite as damaging as rain and hail, but it can still cause severe damage if left unchecked. You should take steps like installing gutter guards, which prevent leaves, twigs, branches, etc., from getting stuck on your gutters. They’ll get clogged up quickly otherwise!

Snow/Ice Dams: This occurs when snow falls off the top of roofs onto lower buildings below them due to all the weight. This can cause severe problems and will only get worse over time, so make sure to clean off your roof regularly!

Tree Roots: You need to take steps against these as well. Some trees like the Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) send out long roots that wrap around homes and compromise foundations. If you have a tree with this kind of root growing near your house, it’s best if you trim them back or remove them altogether before they damage anything else.

Excessive Sunlight: The sun isn’t always bad for roofs. Ultraviolet rays from sunlight kill mold spores on shingles, which is excellent because they can damage your roof permanently, and roofs are expensive to replace. However, too much exposure can break down the shingles themselves, which you want to avoid. Keep a watchful eye on your roof and make sure it’s getting enough shade with trees or other objects!

Excessive Rain: While this might seem like common sense, some people will keep adding water to leaky roofs trying in vain to fix them instead of just replacing them. If you’re not 100% certain that there isn’t any mold growing underneath before fixing this problem yourself, be safe and replace the whole thing- it’ll save time and money if done right from the start!

Algae and mold: If you see a green furry substance growing on your roof, don’t wait to get it taken care of. A simple Google search will tell you that mold and algae love the moist environments found in roofs, so if they’re there, then something’s wrong! If you see any mold growing at all, don’t wait around before getting rid of it. Instead, take preventative measures by making sure there’s plenty of sun over your property, so the mold doesn’t damage anything too quickly, and make sure nothing gets stuck in gutters where leaves and other debris collect!

Insects: This is another common problem that can cause severe damage. Some insects, like termites, burrow through the wood while ants leave behind chemical trails for other ants to follow. By taking some time out now and again to check for problems with these six-legged creatures, you’ll save yourself from an even bigger headache down the road!

Animals: If you have a pet cat, for example, it might decide to use your roof as a litter box. This will cause the buildup of feces which can lead to serious health problems if left unchecked- not to mention that this causes stains and odors!

Improper installation of roofs: This causes a lot of problems for homeowners since they can’t tell if there’s an issue or not. If you have any concerns about the roofing contractor who installed your roof, get in touch with them and find out what to do- it’ll save time later!

Unqualified repair jobs: Even if you have a roofing contractor on your side, not all of them are good at what they do. You might even be familiar with some contractors who have been known to use cheaper materials or take more time than others- this is going to cause problems down the road! Make sure that any contractor you choose has a track record for doing quality work and isn’t just trying to save money by using cheap supplies.

While regular inspection can help you protect your roof early on and spot any potential issues, certain damages are inevitable. In these cases, make sure you contact a professional roofing contractor for assistance! Performing DIY roofing repairs is not worth it if you want to save yourself from long-term problems and repairs.