Does your roof feel a little spongy? That’s bad news. Soft spots can look like buckled sections. They can cause very serious problems, beyond potential water stains, that compromise your roof’s structural integrity.
What Are Soft Spots on Roofs?
Water gets inside your roof space and this trapped moisture can cause your tiles or shingles to warp or sag – called soft spots. You’ll notice it by looking up at your roof and seeing visible signs, like a dip or buckling in the tiles. From the inside of your attic, you might see warped or discolouration on the ceiling.
They’re easiest to notice in spring or summer, which is why regular roof inspections are essential during these seasons. When the weather warms, the tiles or shingles will expand, which makes the dips more obvious.
Soft spots can be as small as a few inches or reach as much as several feet. You might have only one soft spot or several. If you spot one in the affected area, it’s a sign that more soft spots might appear and damage the underlying structure unless you act.
What Causes Soft Spots on Roofs?
Water damage can cause soft spots, among other issues. And what causes water damage? Several things, from poorly installed roofing materials to heavy rain and clogged gutters. Gaps in the shingles are a common cause, as are ice dams, which force excessive weight on your roofing structure.
If you notice soft spots, you’ll want to deal with the underlying issue that let water in in the first place, as well as fixing these sagging tiles.
What’s the Problem With Soft Spots on Roofs?
Soft spots are definitely not a good sign. What happens if you don’t fix them? You’ll continue to get moisture into your home, and the existing tiles will face further damage. You might face mould and structural damage, like rot on your plywood.
But do you need to fork out thousands for a full roof replacement? Not necessarily.
You might be able to get away with smaller, more localised repairs as long as you notice soft spots before it’s too late. Regularly inspect your roof to make sure you find these damages before they become too expensive.
How to Fix Soft Spots on Your Roof
- See what the extent of the damage looks like – you might need to remove some shingles and determine what needs fixing or replacing
- Repair any damage by replacing rotten wood and addressing underlying issues
- Place new roofing over the repaired area, and install flashing to avoid future issues with roof leaks
After making your repairs, make an effort to regularly check on the health of your roof. A thorough inspection twice a year will make sure you catch any issues before they get worse and prevent water from getting into your home.
How to Prevent Soft Spots on Your Roof
Annual roof inspections are the best way to protect your home and prevent soft spots on your roof. But here are a few more ways to look after your entire roof health, preventing structural issues and making sure your home remains safe:
- Clear your gutters of any clogging debris, like twigs or moss, that can stop water from draining properly.
- Trim overhanging trees to stop them from dropping debris on your roof and in your gutters.
- Ensure your attic has adequate roof ventilation to prevent moisture from building up and weakening your roof.
- Replace any damaged shingles or missing shingles.
Is it Worth Calling in a Professional?
Are you confident at DIY? If not, you might want to seek a professional roofer’s help to fix the soft spots on your roof.
The job involves getting high up on your roof deck and performing several repairs on the sagging roof – and it’s often worth asking a pro to help even if you know what you’re doing. Improper installation or repairs can cause further problems down the line that will become more costly to fix.
So, while you’ll have to pay more upfront in labour fees, these are worth the long-term benefits of having a roof that you can rely on.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix Roof Soft Spots
You could pay anywhere between $35–150 per square metre in repair costs to fix the soft spots in your roof, totalling about $150–8,000. The costs depend on the size of your roof and the extent of the damage caused.
Plus, you’ll need to pay to repair any underlying issues that allowed the water into your roof space in the first place – and that could cause the costs to escalate.
However, it’s better to pay to fix your roof sooner rather than later. The longer you leave it, the worse the damage will get, and the more you’ll need to fork out down the line to avoid a potential roof replacement and roof collapse.
The good news? Repairing roof soft spots as soon as you notice them is often very affordable and will ensure you’re covered in the long run.
Roof Soft Spots
Discovering soft spots on your roof is a pain for any homeowner – but don’t panic. Assess the situation and, if unsure, call in a professional to lend a hand. Regular roof health checks can lead to preventing soft spots becoming hugely expensive issues.
FAQs
Can You See Soft Spots From the Exterior of a Roof?
Soft spots look like buckling or warping roof tiles from the exterior of your home. They’re more obvious when the weather warms up as the roof tiles and materials expand, which makes the roof sag look worse.
How Do You Stop a Roof From Leaking?
You’ll need to identify the source of the water leak. Follow the water or damp stains up through your home to find where the problem might lie. Either climb up to your roof or get an expert in and inspect the damage – it could be a broken roof shingle or clogged gutter that’s to blame.
As a quick fix, you can use a bucket to catch the water and lay a tarp over the roof until you can perform more extensive roof repair work.