Common Causes Behind Roof Sagging

Your roofing system is meant to do more than just enhance your home’s curb appeal. It’s also built to protect it and your family against the weather. However, routine care and maintenance are required to ensure that it stays in good condition throughout its expected lifespan. This can’t be done by yourself, of course, but by a certified and experienced roof repair contractor.  

But even if it’s being maintained properly by a trusted contractor, your roof will still deteriorate and become more susceptible to damage, which can happen either immediately or gradually over time. It can happen unexpectedly as well through extreme weather and other elements, which means you’ll need emergency repairs depending on how badly your roof was affected. But for some types of damage such as sagging, they’re usually a result of other roof problems that weren’t addressed sooner.

What Is Sagging?

Sagging can be detected if you notice your roof’s ridge starting to look a bit like a saddle. If this is the case, have it inspected by a trusted roof contractor like Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. to determine the exact cause. It can sometimes happen immediately after your roof suffers significant storm damage, but it’s typically caused by other factors that range from severe rot and deterioration to improper installation. Either way, it’s a serious problem that must be remedied before they cause more damage to your home.

Some of the most common causes of roof sag can include: 

• Excess Weight

Typically, residential roofing systems are designed and built to support a specific amount of maximum weight. If the weight becomes too much for your roof to handle, it is likely to sag. Excess weight can come from too much snow piling on your roof, and when it starts to sag, it won’t become visible until it starts to melt by springtime. Sagging can also happen slowly due to debris accumulation, which should be cleared off regularly to keep your roof clean and in good condition. 

If you only noticed the sagging recently, there’s a chance that it may be caused by excess snow. You’ll need to schedule a professional inspection to get a more detailed report on the damage. But if snow isn’t the culprit, it may be caused by design flaws that make it unable to properly support the weight of your entire roofing structure. For instance, your roof might have undersized rafters or insufficient collar ties installed which can lead to sagging in a stick frame sloped roof. Fortunately, a professional roof replacement contractor can easily fix this by installing new rafters directly alongside the weak or damaged ones.

Sagging can happen in almost any type of roofing system even if the materials used are heavier than what the roofing frame can handle. But if the roof seems like it’s sagging between the rafters or trusses in your attic, the cause isn’t heavy materials but weak sheathing. This means the sheathing is too thin for the area it’s covering. Placing thicker sheathing should reinforce the layer and solve the problem.

• Water Damage

Roof sagging can also happen due to the roof’s inner structure being compromised by water leaks. Whether it’s melted snow or rainwater, it can slowly seep into the cracks and other pre-existing damage that wasn’t immediately addressed. Water damage is also more likely to happen to roofs that aren’t properly cared for and maintained. This can lead to water stains on your ceilings and walls as well as rotting damage to your roofing system’s wooden components, which means your roof can end up having dips and sags. 

Water damage can also come from gutters that aren’t properly cleaned and maintained. They’re supposed to catch the water runoff and redirect them towards the downspouts, but they won’t do their jobs effectively if they’re clogged or damaged. When this happens, water will slowly seep into the lower edges of your roof and make its way into the inner structure. For them to remain effective and prevent water from pooling, the gutters must be kept clean and free of debris. You’ll also need to have them maintained by a professional roof replacement contractor who can ensure proper drainage.

But if you’re sure that your roof sagging isn’t caused by poor gutter cleaning and maintenance, it could be due to its poor design and installation. One telltale sign of a subpar gutter system is seeing water pooling in some sections instead of smoothly draining toward the downspouts. This means they weren’t placed at the right slope, and if this isn’t addressed, you can expect pooling water to slowly seep through your roof and cause the inner wooden components to deteriorate.

• Poor Ventilation

A well-built roof must have enough intake and exhaust vents installed to facilitate proper airflow in the attic. If not enough air is circulating, it can lead to moisture accumulation from within the roof which can compromise the inner structure. This can be caused by damaged vents or not having enough vents installed on your roof. Heat will also start to accumulate in your attic which deteriorates your shingles and other roofing components prematurely, allowing water to seep into your roof faster and cause sagging and rot on its wooden components.

• Subpar Installation

Even top-quality roofing materials won’t be effective in protecting your home and assets if they weren’t installed properly. If you randomly choose a contractor before doing proper research, how can you be sure that they’ll do a good job in installing the materials? Faulty installation won’t be visible on your roof at first, but there’s a chance that you’ll start to see sagging or other signs of premature damage on your roof a few months after installation. To avoid this, make sure that you hire a reputable roof contractor to avoid paying for more extensive repairs later on.

• Low-Quality or Faulty Materials

Sagging can also be caused by cheap or faulty materials since they’re more vulnerable to deterioration and weather damage. This is why professional contractors don’t recommend using low-quality materials especially if you’re building a roof that’s meant to last. A well-built roof can mean higher upfront costs, but it’s worth the investment as they have a long lifespan and can withstand daily deterioration. If you don’t want your roof to sag and end up with a premature roof replacement, avoid using subpar materials!

To address sagging problems, you’ll need to work with a roof repair professional who can get it done properly. Call our team at Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. today at (731) 589-7663, (901) 430-1974, or (870) 736-7663 to get started! You may also fill out our convenient online contact form to request a free estimate.