When your roof is leaking or you see some missing shingles, of course the best thing to do is call a roof company. Typically they will then come out, take a look at the roof, and give you an idea of what's wrong. In doing so, they might use some terms you're not overly familiar with in order to describe the actual type of roof damage that has occurred. Keep reading to learn those terms and what they all mean.

Shingle Damage

If your roofer says you have shingle damage, then you can breathe a sigh of relief. Roofers generally only use this term when you only have shingle damage. The other components of the roof are still in good shape, which means you caught the problem early. (Damaged shingles, if left in place, can allow other parts of the roof to become damaged, too.) Shingle damage can come in many forms. Your shingles may be cracked, losing granules, or even missing.

Shingle damage is generally pretty easy to repair. Your roofer will remove the damaged shingles and put new ones in their place. If the shingle damage is extensive, they may recommend simply having your roof re-shingled. 

Moisture Damage

If your roofer tells you that your roof has suffered moisture damage, this usually means the shingles have not done a good job of keeping moisture away, and that moisture has penetrated to the roof deck. Since the roof deck is made from wood, moisture exposure can cause it to rot and deteriorate. This is a more extensive problem for your roofer to address. They'll need to remove the shingles, replace the damaged part of your roof deck, and then re-shingle that part of your roof. Often, when there is moisture damage, a roofer will recommend a full roof replacement since it's hard to tell how far the damage stretches without completely stripping away the shingles.

Structural Damage

If your roofer tells you that your roof has suffered structural damage, this generally means there has been moisture damage for a while. It made the roof weak enough that its structural integrity has been compromised. The roof deck might be cracking, bowing, or at risk of collapsing. This is a major issue, and your home is probably not safe until you have it addressed. The roofer will need to replace most of, if not all of, the roof deck and then re-shingle the entire roof.

Now, when your roofer tells you what type of damage your roof has suffered, you will have a better idea of what they mean. For more information on roofing services, contact a roofing company.