When you’re making decisions about your roof, it helps to know what you’re up against. The Sunshine State has more than a few roof killers, and some roofing materials are better at handling these than others. To help you make the right decision for your home, we’re sharing the most common roof problems in Florida.
As your local roofers based in Pinellas County, PITCH Roofing is more than qualified to explain the biggest roofing problems that homeowners face. Today, we’re putting our decades of local roofing experience to use and helping you make the best choices for your home!
The 7 Most Common Roof Problems in Florida
Roofs are complex things with a lot of different parts. For this reason, almost anything can go wrong with a roof, especially when you have weather like ours. That said, below are the biggest issues that we see all the time as Florida roofing contractors.
1. Shingle Uplift
Take a look outside the morning after a hurricane, and you’ll probably see more than a few shingles scattered around the neighborhood. That’s because high winds can easily remove shingles from your roof during a hurricane, especially if winds exceed 110 mph. And when this happens, it can mean serious problems for your roof. Specifically, this leads to leaks, one of the most common roof problems in Florida.
Missing shingles create a weak point in your entire roofing system. For example, having your water-resistant underlayment exposed can lead to wear and tear that lets water into your home. And an unchecked leak can put your entire roofing system in jeopardy.
That’s why we strongly recommend giving your roof a look over after major storms. By acting quickly to get roof repair services as soon as you notice missing shingles, you can prevent leaks and even worse storm damage.
2. Damaged Flashing
Your flashing plays a critical role in helping water move off your roof. If you’re not familiar, your flashing is a piece of galvanized steel that moves along the valleys of your roof and helps guide water toward the edge of your roof. But in Florida, there are plenty of things that can damage your flashing and lead to issues with your roof retaining water.
Your flashing can get worn out by temperature changes, damaged by flying debris, or torn off by high winds. Without it, you can experience ponding and, over time, roof sagging, two serious issues that could threaten the life of your roof.
3. Cracked Sealant
Many parts of a roofing system need sealing to protect against water intrusions. These include your vents, chimneys, skylights, and virtually all other roofing features. This sealant is made to last, but there’s only so much that can be done about the hot Florida sun. Over time, sealant breaks down due to UV rays. Once it does, your home could easily experience serious leaks and mold problems.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to prevent sealant from cracking. However, you can minimize your risk by getting regular roof inspections. An exprienced roofer will be able to look at all the nooks and crannies of your roof to ensure that your sealant is holding strong. And if it’s not, they’ll help you fix the issue and keep your home safe.
4. Impact Damage
In Florida, almost anything becomes a projectile in a storm. That, in conjunction with tree branches and hail, can lead to impact damage, an extremely common roof problem in Florida. When high-speed winds send branches and other storm debris into your roof, they can do a lot of damage. This is especially true for tile roofs, which are often brittle.
There’s no way to completely mitigate the risk of impact damage. But you can lower it by keeping your yard clear of debris. Additionally, keeping tree limbs over your roof trimmed is a good way to keep your roof safe. If you do notice damage to your roof from hail or debris, reach out to reliable local roofers to get your roof back in top shape.
5. Pest Infestations
As a Florida homeowner, you probably know that many pests are eager to enter your home. But did you know they’re just as eager to move into your roof? Termites, rodents, and bats are some of the most common roof problems in Florida, as far as pests are concerned.
One good step in preventing pest infestations is keeping your roof clean. This means somewhat regular washings and clearing any fallen branches or leaves off your roof, which would otherwise become a home for pests. It’s also important to make sure that your soffits and fascia are healthy, as holes in these can become highways for pests.
If your roof does develop an infestation, you’ll first need to work with an exterminator. Then, once the pests have been removed, a roofer will be able to fix your roof and stop more bugs and rodents from entering your roof.
6. Mold Growth
If you can count on one thing in Florida, it’s humidity. Unfortunately, all this moisture in the air makes it easy for mold to grow. This is especially true if your roof has areas that sit mostly in the shade. Over the years, this mold can eat away at your roofing materials and weaken your entire roof.
Having good ventilation in your attic is one way to prevent mold from developing. And if you start seeing mold on your roof, it’s important to clean it immediately to stop the damage from spreading. Mold is one of the most common roof problems in Florida, and it only gets worse when left unaddressed.
7. Poor Repairs and Installation
Of all the most common roof problems in Florida, this one is the easiest to prevent. When inexperienced roofers repair or install a roof, they can create more problems than they solve. Whether they’re using cheap, low-quality materials or using unreliable contractors, the result is a roof that isn’t ready to stand up to the Florida elements.
And as the homeowner, you’re the one who pays the price. That’s why it’s a good idea to be choosey when picking your roofers. You’ll want to prioritize local experience, quality workmanship, and customer service. And we’re proud to say that at Pitch, we’ve earned top marks across the board.
As Owens Corning Preferred Contractors, we’ve proven ourselves as masters in quality roofing and customer service. And as local roofers, we have the personalized experience to protect your home against the worst that Florida has to offer. If you need help keeping your roof working at its best, we’re the roofers to call.
Get Support for All the Rare & Common Roof Problems in Florida
Whether or not your roofing issue is on this list, you can bet that we’ve seen it before. And our crew of local roofers is ready to help. To get started on a long-lasting roofing solution, your first step is getting your free, no-obligation roofing estimate!
To get your estimate, call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. Once you’re scheduled, we’ll come out to take a look at your roof and hear what sort of problems it’s giving you. From there, we’ll prepare an estimate that’s 100% reliable and comprehensive. As your local roofing partner, there’s no Florida roofing problem that we can’t fix!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
