Your home’s roof offers solid and long-lasting protection against the elements and the literal storms of life. But when your roof starts to go bad, your house and its inhabitants can suffer as a result. Leaks, drips, and structural damage costing thousands to repair may result if you don’t catch the problem early. Here are some warning signs to look for when you periodically inspect your roof.
Shingle Damage
When you begin noticing missing or damaged shingles, it’s time to get an inspection by professional roofing replacement services to find out what is going on. A few random shingles that have disappeared over several years’ time might not be a big deal. But if a major storm blew off several shingles at once, that may suggest a general loosening of the shingles overall and require reinforcement from a roofing contractor.
Foliage Encroachment
Any type of plant growth, including moss, that is growing over or beneath your roof shingles can cause serious problems. Strong, gripping vines can curl around shingles and sever them from the roofing structure. Birds sometimes feed on these plants or even build nests on your roof, which can further compound the problem. Remove any high foliage that is approaching your roof or reaching the shingles. If damage has already occurred, call an expert for a repair estimate.
Chipping and Crumbling
As time passes, roofing shingles can get dried out by the sun or weakened by extreme moisture. The materials they are made of might begin to deteriorate, causing crumbling and chipped shingles. The residual material will likely quickly break up once decay starts. The appearance of aging or damaged shingles should sound the alarm for a professional roofer’s assessment.
Downspout and Gutter Issues
Although not directly a part of your roof, the attached downspout and gutters must be kept clean and in working condition to avoid water damage on your roof and in your home from rain, ice, and melting snow. Issues like rust, insect infestation, or gutter breakage means that repair work is needed. The damage might stem from rooting problems or it might be causing them, so have it inspected as well.
Suspicious Moisture
Large damp spots on your roof or in the attic and other interior spaces could signal a worrisome leakage problem. Try to determine the source of the moisture, and have it repaired promptly. If it appears to be coming from the roof, get a professional roof inspection and repair the damage before it gets worse.
Any of these problems can warrant attention from roofing replacement services. They may be able to repair smaller issues before they become major problems. However, if roof damage has gone undetected for some time, your roof may need to be replaced entirely. Have them take a look at your roof to assess how serious the problem is.
The roof is one of your home’s structural elements that must be protected consistently, because it protects you. Keep a careful eye on your roof, and get it inspected annually. At the first sign of a problem, find out what is wrong and take care of any needed repairs before the damage increases.
