A roof with proper framing should have straight angles. So, when your roof assumes a wavy or curved appearance, that's a red flag that you shouldn't ignore. Oftentimes, sagging happens when you fail to replace your roof for a long time and the structural support deteriorates.

A sagging roof is not always on the verge of collapse, but you should take action before your home's structure gets weaker. Check out the major culprits for sagging roofs. 

Excessive Weight

If ice and snow build up on your roof during colder months, the extra weight can weaken your roof's structure. Most roofs can handle heavy snowfall. However, excess weight weakens your roof's internal structure, so your roof sags and could eventually collapse. 

If you notice an unusual amount of snow on your roof, you can safely remove it with a snow rake. But be careful not the break the frozen shingles. Alternatively, you can use a plastic roof rake to prevent damage.

Remember that huge chunks of falling ice can injure you. So, hire a residential roofing professional to help you with ice removal. 

Water Damage

Constant exposure to elements (like snow, rain, and wind) can damage roofs, especially with poorly maintained roofs. Given the amount of run-off your roof deals with each year, you should ensure snowmelt and rainwater drain from your roof properly. If even the tiniest cracks, gaps, or crevices exist on your roof, moisture can seep through and cause roof damage.

If your area experiences freezing temperatures, the moisture trapped in cracks freezes and expands, which worsens the cracks further. Consequently, more water infiltrates your roof, and the roof sheathing begins to rot. Within no time, your roof starts to sag. Worse still, the trapped moisture can promote mold growth, which weakens your roof further.

To keep water damage at bay, schedule regular professional roof inspections to check for any roof imperfections. 

Old Age

Naturally, a roof will deteriorate when it reaches the end of its useful life. While a properly maintained roof can live way past its life expectancy, a time comes when the roofing structure succumbs to old age and begins to sag. At this stage, you should call your roofing contractor for a roof replacement. 

Still, your roof may sag when your home's foundation begins to sink due to old age. Here, you need to schedule a roof inspection to establish the true cause so you can apply a lasting fix. 

Luckily, a sagging roof is repairable, but don't attempt DIY repairs as you might aggravate the problem or even get injured. Depending on the extent of damage, your roofing contractor will advise whether to repair or replace your sagging roof.