It’s not hard to understand why a roof is such an important part of any home. A good, solid roof offers you and your loved ones the protection you need from the elements.
It keeps you warm in the winter months and allows the cool air to circulate inside during the summer.
Despite the critical role it plays, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to completely ignore their roof until there are clear signs that it has suffered some damage. The key to being proactive about protecting your roof is, at the bare minimum, knowing what causes roof damage.
Get into the habit of inspecting your roof periodically to detect any changes that may signal a problem.
Yet, even with the best roof maintenance schedule, there may come a time when a roof replacement is unavoidable.
Here are some signs of being on the lookout for.
Your Roof’s Age
If you built the house, you know exactly how old your roof is. Otherwise, you may not have a definite idea as to its age.
In general, you should know that roofs that are more than twenty years old may need to be replaced.
Asphalt shingles will last about 25 years under ideal conditions, meaning no extreme weather events and perfect maintenance.
Other roofing materials may last longer, such as clay tiles, slate, or metal. Always keep a close eye on a roof that is nearing the end of its expected lifespan.
You may be facing a roof replacement.
A Leak
Leaks in a roof are extremely common. Some end up becoming obvious, as when the leak slides down a wall into your bedroom or all the way down to the living room.
When leaks go undetected, they allow for the growth of mold and may even affect the structure of the home.
To prevent a leak from causing any damage, get into the habit of regularly inspecting your attic if you have access to it, preferably after some heavy rain.
Look closely for any wet spots. Tap the walls to see if any areas feel spongy or soft.
Catching a leak on time may mean that you will only have to do some roof repair and not a complete replacement.
If you doubt the extent of the damage and what will be needed to fix it, call a professional roofer to inspect it.
When it comes to roof leaks, professional contractors like Roof Top Services can help.
Mold, Mildew and Other Growth
When mold or mildew starts growing on your ceiling or walls it may be as a result of water that has leaked into the home.
Or maybe you have a problem with some plumbing or a condensation issue. Getting to the root of this problem is key. Start by making sure that no sinks or toilets are leaking.
Finding the problem lies with the plumbing may be more affordable than inspecting your roof and finding that the moisture originated there.
Mold and mildew are not the only things that can grow on roofs. You may also find moss, which you can easily identify by its traditional fuzzy texture and forest-green color.
Although you may initially find it an attractive addition to your roof, you should know that it holds moisture on your roof as it spreads.
Algae can also grow on roofs and easily eat away at your shingles, rotting your roof. Algae likes the moisture that accumulates in gutters and enjoys warm and humid weather.
If you find any of the above growing on your roof, don’t delay in calling a roofer to assess the situation and tell you if your roof can be repaired or if a replacement will be necessary.
Cracks
Wind can play a role in damaging your roof. If only a few shingles get damaged, you may do fine with a repair.
However, the wind does not damage your roof in just one spot; it tends to cause random cracks dispersed all over.
When this happens, there is no alternative but to replace the entire roof.
A good way to find out if your roof was damaged after some strong winds is to go up to your attic with the lights off.
Look up to see if there is any sunlight filtering in. If there is, call your roofer right away to find out if there is a possibility of a repair or if there are too many cracks and you need a new roof.
Rot
When roofing materials and wood are exposed to moisture for long periods of time, the fungus may start to grow on the roof to the point that it can deteriorate its structure.
By identifying this damage quickly, you may save your roof.
When your roof has torn or missing shingles, water is able to sneak in, breaching the roof’s moisture protection barrier.
If you can see torn or missing shingles either at plain sight or through binoculars, it may mean that the underlying roof deck is now vulnerable and may have started to rot.
Water is any roof’s greatest enemy. When you have a leak, not only will you have problems with your ceiling and walls, the roof structure may have been compromised as well.
Check your attic for signs of rot by identifying smells of mold and fungus.
You may have water coming in either because the roof has a rotted section or there isn’t sufficient ventilation.
Don’t wait for further rot damage to occur, and call your roofer.
Sunken Areas
The ridge of your roof has to be absolutely straight. If you can see sag or a saddleback in its middle, you should not delay in calling a roofing professional to inspect it.
This may mean that the roof’s structure has a serious issue, that beams and studs may be rotten, or that the materials were not installed properly from the beginning.
If that is the case, waste no time in getting to the root of the problem.
When the time comes to replace your roof, schedule an appointment with your roofing contractors.
You may be surprised by the selection of roofing materials available nowadays.