Your roof takes the full force of every storm, every heat wave and every cold snap. Most roof damage does not show up right away; it builds slowly over the years until a small, inexpensive fix turns into a major repair bill.
We have been fixing and replacing roofs in Birmingham since 2013, and we also serve the New Orleans area from our office in Metairie. Below are the biggest threats we see to roofs in both cities, how each one causes damage, and what you can do to prevent it.
Weather: The Main Threat in Birmingham and New Orleans
Our weather is hard on roofing materials. Birmingham gets spring hail and strong summer thunderstorms, while New Orleans deals with hurricanes, heavy rain and humidity almost all year, and both cities have long, hot summers. Each type of weather damages a roof in a different way.
- Hail: Hail bruises the shingle and knocks off granules. Granules are the small, sand-like grains on top of a shingle that shield it from the sun. A roof hit by hail can look fine from the ground and then start leaking in the next hard rain.
- High wind: Wind lifts shingle edges and breaks the seal between shingles. It can also pull loose the flashing, which is the metal that seals joints around chimneys, walls and valleys. Wind does not have to rip shingles off to cause a leak.
- Hurricanes and tropical storms: In the New Orleans area, long bursts of wind and sideways rain test every weak spot at once. Loose shingles, worn flashing and old pipe boots are usually the first to fail.
- Sun and heat: UV rays dry out asphalt shingles over time, so they turn brittle and crack. South- and west-facing slopes usually wear out first.
- Heat and cool cycles: A roof gets much hotter than the air during the day and cools off at night. That daily swelling and shrinking slowly loosens nails and seals.
- Moisture: Humid air helps algae, moss and mold grow. These hold water against the roof and speed up wear, especially in New Orleans.
How to prevent it: Choose good shingles that are installed to the maker’s specs, and have the roof checked after any major storm. Most hail damage cannot be seen from the ground. If a storm just came through, our guide on what to do after storm and hail damage walks you through the first steps. For more on heat, see what summer heat does to your roof.
Trees and Overhanging Branches
Trees cause two kinds of roof damage. The first is physical: branches that rub on the roof scrape off granules, and limbs that fall during a storm can punch through the decking. Decking is the layer of wood boards that the shingles are nailed to.
The second kind is slower. Leaves, pine needles and twigs pile up in valleys and gutters, where they hold water against the roof and encourage moss and rot. In Birmingham neighborhoods full of big oaks and pines, this is a constant problem. In New Orleans, live oaks and constant humidity make it worse.
How to prevent it: Keep branches trimmed back at least 10 feet from the roof. Clear leaves out of valleys and gutters each fall and spring. For a large tree close to the house, have an arborist decide if trimming is enough or if the tree should come down.
Animals and Pests
Squirrels, birds, raccoons and insects can do damage that goes unnoticed for years. Squirrels chew through fascia and soffits to get into the attic. Fascia is the board along the roof edge where gutters attach, and soffits are the panels under the roof overhang. Birds can nest in vents and block airflow, while termites and carpenter ants can weaken roof framing before anyone sees them.
How to prevent it: Fix rotted fascia and soffit right away, since soft wood is easy for animals to chew through. Make sure vents have screens. During every inspection, we look for entry holes, chewed wood, nests and shingles that have been pulled loose.
Poor Attic Ventilation
This is the threat most homeowners never think about, because you cannot see it from the yard. A poorly ventilated attic cooks the shingles from below in summer, and in cooler months it traps damp air that can rot the decking and grow mold. Both problems shorten the life of a roof.
Ventilation is one of the main reasons asphalt roofs here last 15 to 20 years or fall short of that. Shingle makers also expect proper ventilation, and a roof installed without it can have warranty problems later. We check ventilation on every roof we inspect or replace.
How to prevent it: Make sure your attic has both intake vents low on the roof and exhaust vents near the top, and that insulation is not blocking the soffit vents. Learn more in our article on why attic ventilation makes a roof last longer.
Deferred Maintenance
For most roofs, the biggest threat is not one big storm but small problems that get ignored. A cracked shingle is left for a few months, gutters go a season without cleaning, or flashing that was a little loose comes all the way off in the next storm. Each of these is inexpensive to fix by itself, but left alone, they add up.
We saw this with a customer who had a small leak and waited a year to call. By then, material costs had gone up almost 15%, and there was more water damage to repair. The final bill was much higher than it would have been a year earlier.
How to prevent it: Follow a simple routine each season and fix small issues when you find them. Our roof maintenance checklist and seasonal schedule lays out what to check and when.
Roof Threats at a Glance
| Threat | How it damages the roof | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Hail | Bruised shingles, lost granules | Inspect after storms; file an insurance claim if damage is found |
| High wind and hurricanes | Lifted shingles, loose flashing, wind-driven leaks | Inspect after wind events; fix lifted shingles quickly |
| Sun and heat | Dry, brittle, cracked shingles | Quality shingles and good attic ventilation |
| Humidity and moisture | Algae, moss, mold and rot | Keep the roof clear of debris; soft wash when needed |
| Overhanging branches | Scraped granules, debris buildup, impact damage | Keep branches 10 feet or more from the roof |
| Animals and pests | Chewed fascia and soffit, blocked vents | Repair rotted wood; screen vents |
| Poor ventilation | Heat damage from below, moisture in the attic | Balanced intake and exhaust vents; yearly check |
| Deferred maintenance | Small problems turn into big ones | Seasonal checks and a yearly professional inspection |
What a Regular Inspection Actually Catches
A yearly inspection from a licensed roofer, plus a check after any major storm, is one of the best things you can do for your roof. Here is what we often find that the homeowner had no idea about:
- Flashing starting to pull away at chimneys and pipe boots
- Granules piling up in the gutters, a sign the shingles are wearing out
- Soft spots in the decking from a slow leak that has not reached the ceiling yet
- Attic vents that are blocked or not moving enough air
- Hail hits that may qualify for an insurance claim
Every one of these costs more to fix once it turns into a visible problem. Our roof inspections are free, and we will show you photos of exactly what we find.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
From the ground, look for granules in your gutters and dents on metal surfaces like gutters, vents and the AC unit. On the roof, hail damage looks like soft, round bruises where granules have been knocked off. If you are not sure, give us a call, because the inspection is free.
How long does a roof last in Birmingham and New Orleans?
Asphalt shingle roofs here typically last 15 to 20 years. How long yours lasts depends on shingle quality, attic ventilation and how well it was installed. Standing seam metal roofs can last 50 years or more, screw-down metal roofs last 15 to 25 years, and slate can last 75 to 100 years or more. Good maintenance helps any roof reach the high end of its range.
Should I be worried about moss or algae on my roof?
Dark algae streaks are mostly cosmetic, but moss is a bigger concern because it holds moisture against the shingles and can lift their edges so water gets underneath. Have it treated with a gentle soft wash. Never pressure wash asphalt shingles, because it strips off the granules.
How do I find a trustworthy roofer?
Ask for a license number and check it with the state. Ask how long the company has worked in your area and what workmanship warranty it offers. Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door after a storm, quotes far below everyone else or wants full payment up front. Capstone is licensed in Alabama (Home Builder #30042) and Louisiana (Roofing #79584), and every roof we install comes with at least a 5-year workmanship warranty.
Get a Free Roof Inspection
If you are not sure how your roof is holding up, we can take a look. We are a family-owned company, certified with both GAF and CertainTeed, and we will give you a straight answer about what your roof needs. Call our Birmingham office at (205) 453-1803 or our New Orleans area office at (504) 302-0204, or request your free inspection online.