Foundation Problems Can Cause Roof Damage

There’s a simple rule when understanding roof damage caused by foundation problems: If your foundation moves, so does your roof!

This picture (right) shows what happens to a roof when foundation problems reach extreme circumstances. The result is hundreds and thousands of dollars in interior damage caused by rainwater penetrating through the entire roof.

Leaks that go undetected for long periods of time possess a high risk of eventually turning into black mold. As you can imagine, the situation can get so out of hand that it may even lead to demolition of the entire structure.

The good news is that you can prevent foundation problems to a certain degree. With the right system, you can avoid a very expensive and unnecessary home repair.

Foundation problems don’t occur overnight, so they can be difficult to detect with the untrained eye. What we’ve discovered is that most homeowners who discover foundation problems are usually unaware of the variety of symptoms that may have acted as early warning signs to reduce the extent of damage.

“Why are homeowners unaware?” you ask. Well, it could be due to a number of reasons. Homeowners may have relocated from a different region of the country where such foundation problems didn’t exist and don’t have experience in dealing with them.

The tough conditions related to our current economy have forced many Americans to relocate to either reduce their cost of living or seek new job opportunities in other parts of the country. They may also be a first-time homebuyer who has never had the burden of landlord duties.

Whatever the case, here’s a list of important factors to consider before purchasing a home, and what to consider during the time you’ll occupy it.

Here’s what we know about foundation problems:

• You commonly see them in homes near creeks or moist land.

• They occur in homes without a sprinkler system.

• They happen to homes without a gutter system.

• They’re not covered by homeowner’s insurance in Texas.

• They’re extremely expensive.

• They must be repaired before replacing a roof.

If you need your roof replaced due to a hail storm but have foundation problems, you must address the foundation problems first. Repairing your foundation problems after replacing a roof will only cause the roof to move again.

Performing a roof replacement immediately after having foundation repair should be determined by your foundation repair expert. Each home’s foundation repairs are different and should be customized to meet the needs of each home separately.

In most cases, replacing your roof immediately after you’ve had foundation repair is safe and won’t cause a roof or your foundation to move.