What is a Sagging Roof?

Do you notice unfamiliar sagging on your roof? Roof sagging can catch you by surprise, but it is not uncommon. In fact, sagging can develop gradually over time or appear unexpectedly, depending on weather conditions or structure-related issues.

A well supported roof should have a consistent, even slope across the structure of your home. That’s why, in this article, we will answer the question: What does a sagging roof mean? By doing so, we will cover the reasons why sagging occurs; the five common signs of sagging; and steps you can take to restore your roof back.

Causes of a Sagging Roof

The reasons for why your roof is sagging could be attributed to a variety of factors, including the following:

Poor Roof Joists or Rafters: A common cause of roof sag is weak or failing structural support either from roof joists or rafters. If a rafter or roof joist is improperly installed, it may not adequately support your roof.

A roof should not sag, as it is designed to carry the load from the ridgeline down onto the roof joints and rafters, which can withstand snow, ice, and rain. Prolonging roof sag only makes matters worse.

Solving roof sag is a structural repair issue and will require you to work with a contractor who has proven knowledge and experience you can count on. At L&L Contractors, we provide premier Nashville roofing services to restore your home.

Excessive Weight: A roof might sag due to too much weight from strong winter precipitation such as snow and ice formation. Although roofs are meant to carry winter precipitation, your roof can sometimes be pushed to the limits, especially with the unpredictable winters experienced in Middle Tennessee.

Too much weight on your roof can cause costly structural damage. If in fact precipitation covers your roof this winter, seek a licensed contractor to decide whether snow removal service is necessary.

Roof sag can also be caused by the slow but destructive water leaks, which takes us to our next point: water damage.

Water Damage: Leaks or poor drainage can allow water to seep beneath your roof and into your home’s framework, causing moisture buildup and mold growth that eventually leads to wood rot.

Wood rot weakens rafters and support beams, ultimately causing significant damage to occur. If this occurs, your roof will show signs of a compromised roof structure and begin to sag. That’s why it’s crucial to respond to any roof leak as quickly as possible.

For instance, after a major rain event, be sure to inspect the inside of your home for any potential leaks.

Foundation Shifts: If your home’s foundation shifts or settles unevenly, it can cause the roof to shift, leading to sagging areas. Homes with faulty gutter and drainage systems often face challenges from settling soil, which can exacerbate these problems.

For instance, when gutters are clogged or broken, rainwater can overflow instead of being directed away from the home. This excess water can saturate the ground surrounding the foundation, leading to leaks and potential structural damage over time.

Aging: An older roof that has reached the end of its lifespan is more prone to sagging. The materials weaken over time, and normal wear and tear can contribute to structural issues.

It’s best to seek the advice and expertise of a qualified roofing contractor that can begin with an inspection, offer recommendations, and address the best course of action to fix your sagging roof.

Now that we covered the causes for why a roof may sag, let’s now explore the five common signs that suggest you have a sagging roof.

5 Signs You May Have a Sagging Roof

Not all sagging roofs are noticeable upon your first glance. Be on the lookout for the following signs:

Leaking Roof: Water pooling due to sagging can lead to leaks, which may result in visible water stains or dampness inside.

Uneven Roofline: Step back and look at your roof from a distance. If the roofline appears uneven or wavy, sagging is likely occurring.

Typically, roof sag can be observed without having to climb up on your roof. But, depending on your unique roof structure, roof sag may not be as obvious.

As a result, it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why L&L Contractors is here. It is our mission to protect the exterior of your property.

Schedule Roofing Inspection with L&L Contractors

That answers the question, What does a sagging roof mean? If you see signs or symptoms related to roof sag, schedule an inspection online, or give us a call today. Since 2006, we have served the greater Nashville area for all your roofing needs.

Donald Lester

Owner/Founder of L&L Contractors, LLC, and avid sports collector. A Murfreesboro native raised on hard work and sweet tea. With over 30 years in the industry I have seen the best and the worst. Service, Quality, Family, and Trust is my commitment to a community that has given me a lifetime of memories and so much more.

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bill warren

21:58 09 Oct 24

On time, worked efficiently. Answered all questions, Allen stayed with the crew the entire time. Well done, an excellent company.I highly recommend L and L Contractors

Ken Deer

16:29 09 Sep 24

Did the work quickly and efficeintly

Ana Taylor

19:53 29 Aug 24

Review for Lea Dickey:They did a fantastic job. They were very professional and on time. Could not have received better service! Excellent installation with timely service!

Jeremy Porter

20:02 27 Aug 24

Let me just say that Willie, Peter, and Taryn at L&L are absolutely amazing folks. Willie was professional , personable, and beyond patient with me while I was waffling with my roofing decision. And in the end he was able to get me a great deal! Peter, the project manager, was always in communication with me and went above and beyond to make sure my house looked perfect. He even had his employees redo something he wasn’t completely satisfied with that I don’t think any other company would have redone because of the expense. I was going to go with the same old roof colors and I stopped by their office to consult with Taryn who suggested something different. Taryn helped me pick out the perfect colors for my roof and I’ve had at least a dozen people in my neighborhood stop to tell me looks stunning. Do yourself a favor and hire this local contractor-you will not be disappointed! Thank you all again!

Chris Phillips

11:05 23 Aug 24

We had the pleasure of working with L&L over the past few months, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with their work. They completed several projects on my home in College Grove, TN, starting with addressing some issues with my Hardy board siding. As a preferred contractor with James Hardie board, L&L’s Russ Hensley inspected the problem areas and discovered that the original installation by the builder was faulty. Russ and his team reinstalled the James Hardie board correctly. The result was flawless, and they even followed up to ensure I was happy with the work.Later that month, after a hailstorm damaged our roof, I hired L&L again. Brad White coordinated with our insurance adjuster and identified some overlooked issues. The new roof was installed in a single day, which was impressive, and they returned to install new gutters. Brad suggested upgrading to 6-inch gutters, which proved to be a wise choice given the size of our home.The customer service provided by L&L is exceptional, surpassing any I’ve experienced in the industry. They even paired me with a supervisor, Peter, who was well-suited to manage my meticulous nature. Peter went above and beyond to ensure both my wife and I were delighted with the results. Throughout the process, communication via text and email was seamless.My wife and I wholeheartedly recommend L&L for any siding and roofing needs.

Kelly Bush

18:14 13 Jul 24

From beginning to end L&L was the best company I’ve ever dealt with regarding anything involving my home. Jerome spent so much time before we even hired them listening to us and inspecting our house to help us with our insurance company. After hiring them, he again spent a lot of time walking us through everything and helping us choose colors. He was so kind, patient, and professional! I can’t remember the names of the people in the office that I dealt with, but they were absolutely wonderful as well. Then Peter showed up with his crew to install our new roof. Again, no surprise, he was so kind! They kept us updated every step of the way. I could not possibly be happier with the work and professionalism of L&L!!! I SO appreciate them, HIGHLY recommend them, and would TOTALLY use them again for anything! We are very satisfied customers! Thank you L&L!

Jamie Dark

16:42 21 Jun 24

Allen Cox and Bernie team went above and beyond expectations on our garage siding replacement project. Upon removal of old siding, we found a lot of wood damage. All damaged wood replaced, building re-wrapped, garage doors, windows totally sealed and weather proofed. I was impressed with workmanship and professionalism and asked for quote to replace my decking. I would highly recommend these guys for your projects.

N B

00:20 14 Mar 24

I would 100% recommend L&L contractors!! I had to have all the siding on my house replaced. I talked with several companies and decided to go with L&L because they took the time to explain the process and go over every detail with me without treating me like I was an idiot. Kyle was amazing with helping me deal with my insurance company from the get go. Allen and his team were awesome and got my siding done efficiently and to the highest standard. Once they started on the project, they kept me up to date along the way and made sure I was ok with any changes that needed to be made to the project. All the workers were very polite and took pride in the work they were doing. Marten and Javier were amazing problem solvers who went above and beyond and even built some custom pieces to go around my outdoor water faucets!My only complaint would be that communication was not great between the time I put down the first part of the deposit and when they actually started on my house. Despite this, I would definitely use their services again if needed.*****UPDATE*****I had an issue with one of the vents that was installed last year by L&L Contractors. I reached out to Allen and he came over within 48 hours and fixed the issue himself. I can not say how much I appreciate the prompt and friendly service as well as the pride these guys take in their work.

Denise Lussier

15:50 07 Mar 24

I couldn't be more thrilled with the exceptional service provided by L&L Contractors From start to finish, their professionalism and expertise shone through, making my roofing project a seamless and satisfying experience.First and foremost, communication was top-notch. L&L and their team were always prompt in responding to my inquiries, thoroughly addressing any concerns I had, and keeping me informed every step of the way. This level of transparency instilled confidence in their work and ensured that I felt valued as a customer.When it came to the actual roofing work, L&L exceeded my expectations. Their crew demonstrated remarkable skill and efficiency, completing the job within the promised timeframe and without sacrificing quality. From tearing off the old roof to meticulously installing the new one, it was evident that they took pride in their craft.Moreover, I was impressed by the attention to detail exhibited by L&L. They didn't just focus on the main roofing structure but also took care of minor repairs and cleanup, leaving my property looking immaculate. It's clear that they care about delivering a finished product that not only meets but exceeds customer satisfaction.

lynn johnson-mcbee

22:32 30 Dec 23

My husband and I have wanted to update the exterior of our home for years. After speaking to various companies, we decided on L&L Contractors for the job. The final results were amazing, and our neighbors agree. The best thing about the process was our project manager Allan, and our client advisor Jeremy. Allan kept us WELL informed on each step of the process. He welcomed our input, which allowed us to get the results that we had imagined. He made us feel that our satisfaction was most important. He even took the initiative to fix a loose panel on our SUV. Jeremy, our client advisor was with us at the very beginning of the process, and he remained with us to the very end. We consider both men a permanent addition in our lives.

luellyn latocki hensley

01:42 15 Apr 23

We had a great experience with L&L. Detail oriented and top-notch quality every step of the way. Even with it being a very busy time for them. They also helped discuss the job with our insurance agent making that process go smoothly. Great communication and customer service from Tim Peterson. Would highly recommend working with Russ, Ernie, Tim and Arlene at L&L Contractors.

Iris Borel

03:20 18 Feb 23

I highly recommend L&L Roofing! The service was excellent from the start. Kyle was very prompt to come out to the home for an evaluation and was very professional and courteous. I am very pleased with how quickly the job was completed. The quality of the material and workmanship was fantastic!Tim and the crew were professional, polite, cleaned the job site completely and gave me a beautiful new roof. I’m most appreciative of their work and the results. I am delighted I chose your company and would recommend you highly to anyone in need of a new roof installed to the highest standards.Kudos to your team of workers. They all were very polite, friendly, and informative if I had a question. The workers arrived on time; immediately began work and continued in that stance all day. Please convey my thanks to all.Kyle and Tim get an A+ in service, attitude, work ethic and above all craftsmanship.

Laura Buchanan

21:51 30 Nov 22

I am so pleased with My Client Advisor, Ernie from L&L Contractors. I had roof damage this morning from last night's storm. I called at 10:30AM and received an appointment for 1PM the same day AND he even came early. The appointment included a photo and contact information in case I needed to reach him about the appointment. Not only was he prompt, professional and reasonably priced, but I really appreciated Ernie's input regarding the general state of my roof and inspection while he was up there. He even took away the damaged roofing with him. I will definitely reach out to them when I need my complete roof replaced. Laura

Holly Taylor

20:37 24 Sep 22

L&L Contractors is a professional and top-notch company. Nick and Kyle made the process smooth, communicated well, and were reliable. The work crews were efficient and polite. Fast turnaround with Hardie Siding, Windows, Painting, Drywall, etc. I couldn’t be happier with the new look of my home! 5-Star Company all the way and I would definitely recommend to others and use for future projects!

B Call

16:32 04 Aug 22

L and L Contractors replaced our very old, worn out roof yesterday. Their service was top notch from the very first encounter to the final goodbye. Their communication was excellent and very much appreciated. We enjoyed being able to utilize the website to see our balance, our tentative date and other important details very easily. They were very professional and respectful of our property. Our new roof looks beautiful. We will be recommending this company from now on and will definitely use them again in the future.