3 Signs You Need a New Roof
Your roof is just something that is always there, and you may not spend too much time thinking about it until you must. All of a sudden you are faced with the need for a roof replacement and you find yourself talking with a roofing contractor about the best materials to use to replace the roof you have now. How did this all happen? There must have been signs that the roof was nearing the end of its life and you might have missed them. Or maybe your roof gave you clear signs that the time has come for a replacement. In any case, if you want to know when a roof replacement is imminent, here are three signs to look out for.
Worn or Missing Shingles
Some roof damage is easy to spot, particularly if you find roofing granules all over your property. Also, while on the ground, look up to see if you can find cracked, missing, or curled shingles or flashing that no longer holds its shape. If it’s not easy for you to do a visual inspection of your roof, consider calling a professional roofer to do it for you. They may find the problem when it’s small and can be fixed by simply replacing a few shingles instead of the whole roof.
Leaks and Damage in the Attic
If you have no reason to suspect that your roof has been leaking, if there is no moldy smell or evidence of water intrusion in the home, it is still a good idea to go up to the attic to do a visual inspection. Go up during a sunny day and take a flashlight and a broom with you. With the lights off, see if beams of sunlight are shining through the roof. Turn on the attic light and the flashlight and examine the spaces under the eaves for any signs of moisture, stains, or streaks. You may reach areas that are further away with the help of the broom’s stick. If they feel spongy, there might be an issue with your roof.
Sagging Roof
If your area has recently experienced a severe weather event, your roof might have suffered structural damage that will need to be addressed immediately. In other cases, the structural damage may happen because of moisture that has been allowed to seep in for years without your noticing it. Moisture may have been trapped in the support boards for a while, eventually causing the whole roof to sag. If this issue continues to be ignored, you run the risk of having the roof eventually collapse, and the damage to the entire property would then be much more extensive than just needing to replace your roof. Get in the habit of inspecting the roof frequently to avoid this drastic scenario.
Once your roof has been replaced, don’t stop at enjoying the way it has improved the curb appeal of your property but get into the habit of conducting regular maintenance to ensure your roof lasts as long as it should, or even longer. Inspect your roof every year, keep it free of debris, and trim tree branches that may be scraping against it. Click here to learn more about roofing replacement and the steps needed to keep your roof looking as good as the day it was installed.