The 7 Most Common Roofing Problems in Nashville, TN

Have you noticed missing shingles after a storm hit the Nashville area ? Or maybe a new stain showed up on your ceiling and now you’re wondering what’s going on with your roof?

No matter the roofing problem you're experiencing, I promise you’re not alone. Between our hot, humid summers, strong storms with wind and hail Middle Tennessee roofs take a beating throughout the year.

On top this, many Nashville homes have roofs that are 15–25 years old. That's why it’s no surprise that roofing problems are so common in our area. 

Well, the only way to get ahead is to understand these common roofing problems in Nashville before they become bigger problems down the road. 

Since 1990, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided Nashville homeowners with honest and transparent roofing information on all things good and bad about the industry. Now, I'm putting it all out there to help as many people as possible, whether they call us or not. 

Let's break down the most common roofing problems in Nashville I've seen after 35-plus years living and operating a roofing company here in Middle Tennessee. 

1. Bad roofing contractors 

The biggest roofing problem in Nashville right now is bad roofing contractors. In fact, some of the other problems I'll mention are a direct result of hiring a bad roofer. 

Unfortunately, this is getting even worse with how expensive roofing has become with homeowners look for cheapness instead of affordability. I understand being budget conscious, but you put a massive target on your back if you're looking for the lowest price. 

Bad Nashville roofers lower their prices to win your business by leaving off necessary items, using low-quality materials, and/or using cheap labor to install the roof. Keep in mind that every roofer has different overhead costs, prefers certain products, or whatever else impacts their pricing, so a lower-priced estimate isn’t always a red flag. 

However, there are always reasons why when you get a roofing estimate that’s too good to be true or much lower than the other(s). 

2. Improper roof installation 

I've always said, the day your roof is installed is the most important day in your roof's life. All of the roofing components, accessories, and materials, must installed using correct roofing technique to avoid leaks or premature roof failure. 

Well, one of the biggest roofing problems Nashville homeowners deal with is improper installation. This could be caused by not following the manufacturer’s instructions, lazy workmanship, or simple inexperience.

However, an improperly installed roof will always lead to leaks, premature failure, and voiding manufacturer warranties. That's why hiring a reputable Nashville roofing company is so important. 

3. Inadequate attic ventilation 

Your attic’s ventilation system allows your home to breathe properly by moving air in and out of your attic. A properly ventilated attic is absolutely crucial with Nashville’s climate, even more so on asphalt shingle roofs.

Unfortunately, inadequate attic ventilation is one of the biggest unknown roofing problems in Nashville, TN. The damage caused by the trapped cold and hot air will drastically shorten your roof’s life and void the manufacturer’s warranty. 

That's why a reputable Nashville roofing contractor always get in the attic (if there's access) during an roof replacement estimate to check if there's enough ventilation. If the roofer you hire doesn't make sure there's enough, you'll be replacing your roof again in the near future due to premature failure.

4. Trees around a roof 

Our state of Tennessee is beautiful with a lot of foliage and wooded areas. While this is great, encroaching or overhanging trees are a big roofing problem in Nashville.

Tree limbs hanging over your roof erodes its protective top layer by allowing water to drip down continuously after raining. On top of this, leaves and other debris also hinder drainage down your roof, sending water where it’s not supposed to go. 

If your roof is close enough to the tree, you also have to worry about fallen limbs causing structural damage. To avoid this problem, keep tree branches trimmed back as much as possible. 

5. Animal and insect roof damage 

With our beautiful landscapes and greenery, comes plenty of critters. Well, your attic is the perfect safe place for many small animals.

While not as common as before, animal and insects are still a roofing problem in Nashville we deal with. They can cause severe damage to a home by causing a leak, chewing on the electrical wiring (which is a common cause of house fires), and creating a biohazard with their waste. 

However, animals can also wreak major havoc on your roof. This could be anything form squirrels building nests under shingles to acidic bird droppings destroying shingles to termites eating away at roofing materials. 

6. Roof neglect from lack of roof maintenance

The biggest reason for most of Nashville roofing problems is neglect. Over time, minor issues that could've been fixed with minimal effort can snowball into large-scale problems, leaving your roof and home vulnerable.

For example, a crack in a pipe boot is a simple and inexpensive fix. But if it isn’t caught because you neglected roof maintenance, it can cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage to your ceiling.

On top of this, maintaining your roof is the best way to maximize your investment and keep debris from sitting on your roof. That's why it’s crucial to get roof maintenance at least once a year, especially with the season changes we see in Nashville, TN. 

7. Storm damage from hail and strong winds

One of the most recent roofing problems in Nashville is when extreme weather comes through the Middle Tennessee area. We see everything, from straight-line winds (aka damaging winds) during heavy thunderstorms to hail storms to the occasional tornado.

Straight-line winds that hit speeds of 60+ mph rip shingles off roofs if they’re not properly installed or reached the end of their lifespan, especially 3-tab shingles. The Nashville area gets hit by storms with hail large enough to damage roofs, especially more frequently in recent years.

And, since we're in the Ohio Valley region, we get the occasional tornado. The Nashville area usually gets heavy storms in the Spring and Summer, but it’s becoming increasingly harder to predict

However, if any extreme weather we get in Nashville hits your roof, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the damage. 

How do you avoid these common Nashville roofing problems?

After reading this article, you know the 7 roofing problems that affect Nashville homeowners the most. The best way to avoid these problems all together is to hire a reputable local Nashville roofing contractor. 

On top of this, you can catch or avoid some of them with an annual maintenance inspection. So, get ahead of potential roofing problems by calling a reputable Nashville roofing contractor to take care of your roof.

And if honesty and transparency are important to you, don’t hesitate to reach out!

For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided top-quality residential roofing services to homeowners in Nashville, TN. We offer roof replacements, skylight replacements, roof repairs (repairs on hold for new customers due to labor shortage), and insurance claim guidance for roof storm damage.

I take extreme pride in what we do, and back up our workmanship with a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee. That’s why I say, “When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.”

Get a Free Quote here or call our office at (615) 242-0333 today to schedule your free roof replacement inspection and get the peace of mind you deserve.