7 Roofing Problems Only Nashville Homeowners Understand

While Nashville is famous for its country music roots and lively downtown, anyone who lives there knows its weather is just as legendary. Located on the Cumberland River in north-central Tennessee, Nashville seems to get almost every type of extreme weather possible. Every year, Nashvillians can experience everything from freezing rain to extreme heat and humidity warnings. Not to mention the high winds, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail that seem to come every Spring.

Needing to stay indoors during such volatile weather is challenging enough to endure. Yet, Nashville roofers know being homebound is the least of the weather’s potential problems. The high winds and relentless rain can take a toll on homes. If you live in Nashville, there are some specific roofing issues to watch out for.

Common Nashville Roofing Problems

Nashville homeowners have to worry about everything from how to stay safe during a tornado to what to do during a Nashville ice storm. On top of that, the following roofing problems may plague their homes.

1. Shingles

High winds and rain are commonplace in Nashville, especially between March and May. Winds can get as fast as cars driving on a highway, making them extremely dangerous. When these winds are coupled with rain, like during extreme thunderstorms and tornadoes, they can be doubly damaging. Shingles can be ripped off, cracked, or curled during high winds, making openings for rain to seep in. When that moisture seeps in, it usually leaks right into a homeowner’s ceiling.

Excessive rain can cause damage by itself, too. Shingles can get weighed down by pooling water and begin to crack. During humid times, the moisture from rain can linger on shingles and cause them to warp or buckle. This further exposes attics and ceilings to leaks.

2. Flashing

Many Nashville roofers find themselves replacing flashing more often due to the region’s punishing weather. Flashing is the material around roof features like chimneys and skylights. It can easily be loosened or degraded in Nashville weather. Wind and rain pound against the steel, copper, aluminum, or plastic materials and make them vulnerable to leaks.

3. Gutters

High winds cause debris like leaves and sticks to fall off trees and onto roofs. When the famous Nashville rains hit, all that debris is swept into gutters, causing them to clog and overflow. This overflow can compromise a roof’s drainage system, backing water up so much that it leaks into the home.

4. Soffits and Fascia

Soffits are the materials lining the underside of roofing. It’s usually visible on overhangs and can be vented or closed. Fascia is the trim around a roof’s perimeter. Soffits and fascia are usually made of aluminum, wood, or vinyl, but can also be constructed from fiber cement. Similar to flashing, both these roofing elements can be loosened, cracked, or detached by harsh Nashville winds.

5. Attics

Though not technically part of the roof, what’s happening in an attic can negatively affect how roofs keep water out of a home. Nashville summers are notoriously hot and humid, and many homeowners find out the hard way that their attic is not ventilating properly. Improper ventilation can trap heat, which causes shingles to warp. This damage invites leaking, which can quickly turn to mold in the humid weather.

6. Rafters and Trusses

When roofing issues from extreme wind and rain go undetected, they can lead to greater structural damage. Leaky roofs allow water to fall on rafters and trusses, weakening the structural integrity of these critical elements. The weight of water accumulation can also cause roofs to sag, putting pressure on trusses and rafters till they break.

Other Natural Elements

Beyond the harsh Nashville weather, other elements can cause roofing issues. Nashville is lucky to have a significant number of trees in the area. While this greenery creates beautiful vistas, it can be harmful. Overhang from tree limbs can negatively affect shingles with frequent scraping and scratching. They can also easily fall onto roofs during times of high wind and rain, making them a big part of Nashville storm damage restoration.

Nashville’s lush urban canopy also attracts a variety of animals and insects. These critters can cause roofing issues by gnawing and chewing on roofing elements. Birds are especially damaging as they build nests in gutters, causing them to back up frequently. Nests and other animal or insect homes also trap moisture, causing damaging mildew and mold.

Finding a Nashville Roofer You Can Trust

With so many possible roofing issues, it’s important for Nashvillians to find a roofer they can trust. When it comes time for a roofing replacement or repair, it’s best to have a go-to company on call. The best roofers in the Nashville area have all the necessary supplies at the ready and know what to look for after a Nashville storm. Great reviews are another indicator of a trustworthy roofer. Take a look now to get someone on call as the “12 seasons of Nashville” come your way.