Avoid A Residential Roofing Disaster With These Warning Signs

A failing roof is no joke. Not only is it unsightly and your roofline does comprise a large portion of your house’s facade but it can lead to long-term damage. Water leakage can warp the underlying structures of the roof and top floor of your house. What’s more, drafts in the roof mean your house’s envelope isn’t airtight, leading to higher heating and cooling costs.

Take a walk around the perimeter of your house, and view the roof from different angles. Also inspect the rooms directly below the roof. While some minor issues can be spot-repaired, the following signs signify you should replace your roof in its entirety.

 

Warning Signs You Need a New Roof

Most homeowners figure they need a new roof after they spot a leak in their ceiling. This leak could be due to many different roofing problems. But, what factors really determine whether a roof repair will solve the problem or the house needs a roof replacement?

Here are some tips to help you determine if you need a new roof:

Roof age

How old is your existing asphalt shingle roof? Most experts agree that a typical roof will last between 20 and 25 years. It also depends on whether the old roof was removed and you only have one layer of shingles, and if it is properly ventilated. If the roof was installed over another layer or several layers and it is older than 20 years, chances are you need a new roof.

 

Leaks in the Attic

It can’t be stressed enough that regular inspection of your roof and attic is important. If your shingles are damaged, water will leak inside. Water damage is a serious problem. Even a small leak can lead to big and expensive problems later on. A leaking roof may cause mold growth, rotted framing, and damaged ceiling. After a storm, examine your attic and look for drips and pooling water. Be sure to have the issue dealt with immediately before it causes further damage.

Mold Growth

You can assess moisture accumulation by checking for mold growth in the ceiling. Cosmetic mold growths may be harmless and can be fixed by simple scrubbing. The toxic ones may need to be handled by a roofing service company or mold inspectors. Water leaks from the roof or attic can also cause mold contamination. Furthermore, it can cause structural issues such as wood decay. If the source of moisture comes from the leaky roof, simply fixing the leak or replacing the ceiling tiles is enough.

Sagging Roof Deck

Roof disrepair can also be assessed inside the home. Go to the attic and check if your roof is sagging. You may notice that your roof is sagging in several places. Dips in the roofline could mean serious damage underneath the roofing materials. You must determine the extent of the damage before replacing any material on the roof. Underlying problems must be addressed before you install new shingles or rafters. Have a knowledgeable contractor check what causes the sagging and ask for possible options to fix it.

 

CURLING SHINGLES

When you notice curling shingles on your roof then it just means that either your roof is reaching its age or your contractor had installed them incorrectly.

SHINGLE PIECES IN RAIN GUTTERS

Aside from removing dried leaves or debris from the gutters, should there be shingle pieces that were removed and fell on the gutters, these should also be removed.

DAYLIGHT IN THE ATTIC

As stated in the article, seeing daylight in the attic just means there is damage on your roof that needs to be fixed immediately.  Daylight in the attic just means water leaks when it rains, thus, needs to be attended to as soon as possible.

 

Wear And Tear Around Chimney Or Skylight

Weakness and damage around flashing/framing of skylights and chimneys can lead to a leaky ceiling.

Maintain these areas along with the rest of your roof to keep it healthy.Too much damage, or long-time neglect, could mean it’s time for a new one.

Spongy Texture

A spongy or soft feeling means your shingles/structure have weakened with moisture which has leaked through (and it’s possibly not safe to walk on).

If you notice this, or sunlight coming through your attic, or if  your insulation is wet, you probably need a new roof.

You can extend the life of your roof with annual maintenance inspections, inspecting it after major storms, and after winter.

Practice good roof care by keeping your gutters cleaned and small problems fixed before they become expensive repair projects.