What Is Happening When My Roof Line Is Sagging?
Some roof sagging is obvious and will look like a deep divot in your roof line. In other cases, it may just be a slight curve that you could almost convince yourself is just your mind playing tricks on you. No matter how minor, any sagging indicates a severe structural issue that could compromise the roof over your head.
What Causes Roof Sagging?
Roof Load
Excessive weight that exceeds your roof’s load can lead to sagging. Some of the most common culprits of overloaded roofs are accumulated snow and ice in the winter and new roofing materials added over old ones instead of removing them, which can add substantial weight to your roof and threaten its structural integrity.
Structural Damage
If critical components of your roof’s structure, such as the rafters or trusses, are damaged due to wood rot, termite infestation or deterioration due to age and water damage, it can lead to sagging.
Settlement Issues
Your roofline may also be dipping because of foundation settlement. Changes in the soil can cause your foundation to shift, resulting in your walls settling unevenly and your roof’s alignment becoming askew.
Improper Construction
If your roof wasn’t constructed correctly or was built with low-quality materials, the structure will have an increased risk of premature sagging.
Excessive Span
If your roof span is too large for the materials used to properly support, or if it's too wide for the trusses underneath to adequately brace, your roof may not have sufficient strength to support a standard load, potentially caving under its own weight, which can result in sagging.
Environmental Factors
Extreme weather, such as heavy winds, storms and other adverse weather conditions, can weaken your roof’s structural integrity. Eventually, smaller issues like dislodged shingles and water-warped trusses will lead to large-scale problems like sagging.
Side Effects of Roof Sagging
Sagging threatens the integrity of your roof in a myriad of ways, including:
- Forming gaps that can increase the likelihood of leaks and mold and mildew growth
- Water pooling that can exacerbate dips in your roof’s ridge
- Increased heating and cooling costs due to the gaps and air leaks in your roof hindering your home’s energy efficiency
- Creating entry points for pests to infest your interior
- Sagging interior ceilings and cracked walls
- Detracted curb appeal that can decrease your property’s value
How to Detect Sagging
Any sagging is considered hazardous, no matter how minor. Look for visible curves or dips in your roof’s ridge line from a distance. If the sag in your roof line is so minimal you’re unsure whether it's real or not, there may be other signs to assess the severity of the problem, such as cracks on your roof’s surface or if your gutters are being pulled away from your roof.
If you notice these or any other concerning signs of damage on your roof, you should call qualified roof repair and replacement professionals to diagnose the problem before it can worsen.
Can Roof Line Sagging Be Repaired?
Whether sagging necessitates repairs or replacement will depend on the root cause and severity of the issue. Typically, repairs include fortifying your roof’s support with stronger materials and/or additional steel support trusses. Incorporating steel gusset plates may further enhance your roof’s core structural elements.
If significant portions of your roof are compromised, it may cost you less in the long run to replace parts or possibly the entire structure than to try to repair it. Haphazardly adding new roofing components on top of the old parts can exacerbate your home’s risk of roof sagging.
The team of experienced roofing contractors at Chet’s Roofing & Construction Inc. specializes in roof maintenance, repairs and replacement. Unlike some Seattle roofers, we are more concerned with customer satisfaction and earning your repeat business than convincing you to buy the most expensive roofing solution.
If your roof’s sagging can be repaired, we’ll let you know. If replacement is your only option, we’ll work hard and fast to minimize disruption to your daily life.
We’ve Been Putting Seattle Homeowners’ Roofing Needs and Preferences First for Over 30 Years
Trust contractors who have the experience, licenses and insurance to perform your roof replacement seamlessly, minimizing stress and costs on your end. Call us today at (877) 611-1514 or explore our services to learn more and receive a replacement estimate.
