What is Roof Rot and How Do I Know if My Roof is Experiencing It?

January 27, 2025

Roof rot (or dry rot) can cause a variety of issues for your roof. For example, moisture from roof rot can cause your roof to decompose and decay. To prevent roof rot and serious damage, it is crucial to get in touch with a professional as soon as you discover problems such as leaks, mold, or moss. Ignoring these concerns will result in more problems later on, which will end up costing you more money in the long run.

How Does Roof Rot Happen?

Undiscovered leaks, mold, broken flashing, and other factors can all contribute to roof rot. Here are some other reasons why roof rot occurs:

  • Leaks: The smallest leak can grow into a major problem. The reason is that rot thrives in water that is trapped. The base layer of your roof, the wood sheathing, will be ruined if moisture becomes trapped between the roofing components.
  • Mold and moss: Fungi can cause shingles to shift or move, which might result in a gap. Weak shingles allow water to quickly seep between any gaps, which can result in mold growth and other problems. Moss may occasionally be a sign that your roof is decaying.
  • Loss of shingle texture: Asphalt shingles, which are the roof’s first line of defense against rot brought on by solar damage, have a grainy feel. This grit accumulation in your gutters or drains could indicate that your shingles are deteriorating.
  • Damaged flashing: Flashing strips are the metal pieces that are positioned around your roof’s cross sections and chimney. They fill the space between your shingles and the jagged edges of your chimney and are non-corrosive. By diverting water away from your roof, flashing helps ensure adequate drainage. Every component that disappears or cracks can cause decay and leaks. Your roof may even experience structural problems as a result of missing or broken flashing, particularly if the damage is near your chimney.
  • Uneven roof deck: Everything else is constructed on top of the roof deck. It is situated in between the shingles and the plywood. A strong roof deck will keep your roof intact and enable it to withstand all weather conditions. Since water can gather in any irregular or deformed area of your roof, an uneven roof deck can quickly lead to issues such as roof rot.

A loose shingle is easy for anybody to identify, but other roof damage might be hard for the untrained eye to spot. The professionals at K & M Roofing can assist in halting roof damage before it starts. The best defense against roof rot is to have an experienced roofer, such as K&M Roofing to do an inspection to identify and address any problems as soon as possible. Roof damage can be found and repaired by our professionals. Make an appointment for your roof inspection right now!

Trust the Professionals at K & M Roofing for All of Your Northern Virginia Roofing Needs

K & M Roofing provides fast and reliable emergency roof repairs and replacements in Northern Virginia. Our skilled professionals are fully equipped to assess and address any roofing issues. Whether it’s a leak, structural damage, or any other unforeseen problem, we have the expertise and experience to address the issue quickly and effectively.

Don’t let a roofing issue turn into a catastrophe. Act now to secure your home and protect your family. Call us at (703) 369-1262 and experience the rapid, reliable, and expert inspection and roof repair service your home deserves.