Have you ever noticed how some people wait for a sign while making a decision about something? In the case of getting your roof fixed, unless you start looking up (i.e. your roof) you’ll miss all the glaring signs waiting to be seen.
When you take the time to conduct a quick inspection, and you happen to see any of the signs mentioned below, it might be time to call in a roofer and figure out if you need immediate Roof Repair & Replacement.
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How to determine the damages?
Both commercial and residential roofing needs immediate attention when damaged because a roofing system is the only defense for the building against the weather. Additionally, the cost of replacing an entire roof is a capital intensive project for anyone, and everyone wishes to avoid it. Most people book roof inspections during the later stages of the summer and fall season. This way, you can get repairs done before the situation worsens. Determining whether you need to get the roof repaired or completely replaced depends on the extent of the damages.
There are two general types of damage seen in roofing:
- Directly Noticeable Physical damage
- Indirect damage
Directly Noticeable Physical Damage
- Sagging:
Even though the shingles are laid out in many different degrees of pitch from the roof’s center, they should appear running parallel to an imaginary straight line. It’s an indicator of a bigger problem that needs attention if you notice areas that appear to be sagging or warped.
- Moisture or Leaks:
Roof leaks are tough to identify, especially in a heavily insulated ceiling and attic. You only realize that your roof has a leak when water has seeped in and already caused severe damage. Inspect your attic frequently for signs of moisture and check inside any crawl spaces. Common symptoms for water leakage are:
- Water staining
- Mold and mildew
- Pooled water
- Algae growth and fungus:
Moss can add a rustic look to your garden or yard, but on a roof, it is a sign of lack of maintenance. Moreover, the moss can only grow in abundance of water or moisture, which means the underlying shingles are a victim of water leakage and need to be replaced quickly.
- Damaged Flashings:
You shouldn’t take damage to the chimney flashing lightly. The flashing is a material which connects the chimney to the house. If it is cracked or damaged, moisture can collect inside. From the temperature change, the moisture can contract or expand the flashing, making the problem worse. The bricks in proximity to the flashing can come loose and cause severe damage if it collapses inward or onto your roof.
- Blistering:
When the underlying surface is humid, it can cause the paint on top to bubble up and result in blistering. The presence of moisture or poor ventilation can cause the air in the attic to become humid. Moreover, if your gutter system is causing water seepage, it can also cause the adjoining areas to blister.
- Visible Roof Damage:
Check for any of these five warning signs to check if your roof shingles are weathering.
- Damaged Shingles: Since shingles are nailed down in their place, only excessive wind and physical damage can rip out pieces of the shingle.
- Missing Shingles: Uprooted shingles leave a gap that allows water to enter and weakens the underlying layers, or the flashing.
- Cracked Shingles: Dried up shingles can easily crack and need to be replaced as the cracks can allow water to travel between the shingles. At the first sign of cracks formation, you should get the entire roof inspected to understand the cause.
- Curling Shingles: Curling in the middle of the shingle is called clawing, and curling from the edges is called cupping. The curling appearance indicates that the shingles are on the brink of developing leaks, leading to waterlogging under the shingle, leading to more significant problems down the road.
- Buckling Shingles: When shingles expand from heat and end up pushing against the adjoining shingle, they buckle. It is easily visible as waved distortions on a roof surface. Buckled shingles can cause ice formation in the underlying areas and can be torn off by heavy wind. Poorly installed underlayment and the material age are common reasons behind buckling shingles.
Repairing or replacing roof sections that come loose isn’t that easy. Due to weathering, old shingles may look faded and may not necessarily match the new shingles. In such a case, it is easy to identify the new shingles from a distance as your roof will resemble a distorted checkerboard.
Indirect Damage
- Age of Your Roof:
The National Home Inspectors Associations claims the average lifespan of a roof to be somewhere between twenty to thirty years. If you consider having your roof repaired and if your roof is nearing the 25th year mark, it is advised to get an inspection done to consider the other options, i.e., roof replacement.
- Clogged Gutters due to Debris:
Granules are the sediments from the top layer of shingle when the roof is exposed to the sun’s harmful radiation for too long. While cleaning your roof, keep an eye out for granules and pieces of shingles washing off into the gutter. It may be a sign of a deteriorating roof.
- Staining on interior ceilings or walls:
The water leaking inside collects all dirt and dust present in its path. On drying off, you see circular lines of grey, brown, or yellowish discolorations. These stains are an indication of very advanced water damage and need prompt corrections.
- Higher energy bills:
The cool or warm air could be leaking out through your roof, resulting in a sudden spike in your air conditioning or heating cost. But if you locate this ventilation issue in your attic, your heating and cooling expenses might drop.
Now that you know all possible reasons for roof repair and replacement, how does your roof rate? Does it pass the test? Or is your roof damaged? You now know what to do if you notice any of these signs.
A roof is the largest surface on a building, hence more prone to damages and degradation. Unless you don’t provide it with care when it needs, it will surely lead up to a costly bill.
Wrapping Up
Waiting too long to get a roof repair or roof replacement can lead to many other expensive and time-consuming problems to deal with. On the flip side, taking care of them in the nick of time can help ensure that you save money in the long run. While choosing multi-family roofing contractors, consider the following details:
- Experience in the field
- Testimonials or reviews
- Location and pricing
- Availability
Author bio: Ellis Gray is the content marketer of Farharoofing. Which was founded ten years ago in Wichita, Kansas, with a goal to help out the community with all of their roofing projects in a professional manner.
