If the roof appears spongy, springy, or soft beneath the shingles, then it can be inferred that there is an issue with water retention in the sub-roofing level or a structural problem. While a small soft spot on the roof might not be very obvious when standing on the ground, ignoring such a defect can turn a minor roofing issue into a significant repair problem.
If you spot any damage to your roof, it would be a good idea to call RoofWorx for roof repairs in order to ascertain what should be done.
What Is a Soft Spot on a Roof?
A soft spot is a part of the roof surface that is weaker/more flexible than other parts. Commonly an issue with the deterioration of the roof decking, the layer supporting the shingles or other roofing material. The roof decking should also have a high compression strength when loaded.
What Causes Soft Spots on a Roof?
Soft spots generally arise due to the presence of moisture. Moisture penetration in the roof can arise from torn shingles, defective flashing, defective water seals, among others.
Common causes of a damaged roof include:
- Leaks that don’t get attention that goes far enough
- Ruptured or broken shingles
- Excess moisture
- Improperly installed roofing or flashing
- Ice leaving water pools to accumulate
- Roof age
- Prior damage
A soft spot can also be an indication of a bigger problem for the roof.
How Can You Tell If a Soft Spot on Your Roof Is Serious?
Where there is a soft spot for sure, it becomes very necessary to conduct an investigation because there may be more to it than meets the eye.
Look for signs of roof deck damage:
- Misalignment of any sort with the horizon line.
- Stains on ceiling and/or walls due to water damage
- Attic smell that is damp or musty.
- Mold or mildew
- Signs of decking being damaged or caused to look dingy or discolored.
- There are multiple soft spots on the roof.
- Water seen in the attic
If the pads are soft in only one spot, it may be removable; if the softness is found in more than one spot, or the floor is sagging, then there is most likely a problem of a damaged roof or structural decay.
What Should You Do If You Find a Soft Spot on Your Roof?
A professional roof builder can tell whether it’s just the decking or if the roofing material, the roofing insulation, flashing, and the underlying structure have been damaged.
From a safe distance, photograph any damage that has occurred and look for evidence of moisture in the attic. Your professional roofing company, Roofworx, can then survey the damaged area and suggest the right roof decking repair or substitute for the roof.
How Do Roofers Repair Soft Spots?
Repairing a roof could be anywhere from $150 to $8,000, with an average of which is $1,150. The process involved in repairing the damaged roof could depend on the severity of the damage.
A common repair can consist of:
- Taking off the shingles and other roofing material that surrounds the damaged area.
- Inspecting the decking and surrounding structure.
- Removing decayed areas.
- Sealing the deck with new, properly sized decking.
- Trying to resolve the cause of the water intrusion.
- Installing new underlayment and roofing over.
- Inspecting the repair site for correct sealing and drainage.
If there is any sort of damage to the various components such as the trusses and rafters, there needs to be additional work done.
What Happens If You Ignore a Soft Spot on Your Roof?
However, ignoring the soft spot will enable the underlying problem to persist. If water is the cause of the problem, continuous water penetration will create a bigger problem with wood decay and formation of mold. In the end, it will grow bigger, which will make it difficult to manage the problem.
How Can You Prevent Soft Spots From Developing on Your Roof?
Maintenance will assist in avoiding any issues that may arise due to water in the roof.
Homeowners must:
- Check if there is any damage to the roof shingles.
- Chimney and vent flashings should be present.
- There should be an existing ventilation system in the attic.
- Make plans for regular roof maintenance.
- Repair any roof leaks before they come into your house.
Educating occupants on the importance of prevention is especially critical since roof decking may weaken under the surface without warning.
Conclusion
Don’t overlook a soft spot on a roof as a minor cosmetic problem. This can be a symptom of roof deck damage caused by water, rotting of the decking, or even possible problems with the structure below the roof. It will be much easier to prevent further damage if the cause is known as soon as possible.
Do not step on the soft spot and do not call a professional; rather, diagnose and fix the problem as soon as possible in order to protect your roof, your home, and your money.
