The Three Letter Word No Homeowner Wants to Hear

It’s easier to tell there’s a problem with your roof when shingles are missing, cracked, or crooked. However, damaged shingles are not the only reason why a roof may be considered damaged. Your roof is made up of a lot more than just its shingles, in fact. Another major part of your roof is the roof decking or sheathing underneath. These are thin boards of wood underneath your shingles that provide the structure of your roof. Because these boards sit underneath your roof, is it harder to see when there is damage and, the dreaded word, ROT.

Invisible Damage

When your roof is working properly, it should be shedding water away from your home, into your gutters, and out the downspout. When you have damaged shingles or vulnerable areas in your roof, though, water can seep underneath the shingles and onto your roof decking. Because your roof decking is made out of wood, it will start to deteriorate over time, especially if it doesn’t properly dry out. When there is constant moisture underneath your roof, it’s only a matter of time that will start to decay and, eventually, rot.

Because your roof decking sits underneath your shingles, it’s difficult to tell when there is wood rot or damage outside of a professional inspection. As a note, we NEVER recommend homeowners climb their own roofs to check for wood rot because those rotted areas can easily break under your step.

Possible Signs of Wood Rot

There are two types of wood rot: wet rot and dry rot. Some signs of wood rot include:

• There is a mildew smell in your attic
• Parts of your roof are discolored
• The wood feels soft and spongy (some homeowners may be able to tell this by looking in their attic)

If you suspect your roof has experienced wood rot, call our team at IBEX Roof. We will schedule you for a roof inspection as soon as possible! If wood is rotting, it is likely there is an underlying leak that needs to be repaired; the longer you wait, the more damage you risk on your roof. Being as proactive as possible will make it less likely you will need to replace your entire roof.

Our goal is to make sure your roof lasts as long as possible. The best way to do so is by scheduling annual roof inspections to stay ahead of your roof’s upkeep. At IBEX Roof, we pride ourselves on being fully transparent with our customers: no secrets, no surprises, and no uncertainty! We will never sell you any services you don’t need because we are here for you for the long haul. Give us a call today and let’s make sure to stay on top of your roof’s health!