Signs Your Roof Might Need Repair
Has anyone ever asked you what that sag is in your roof? Are you surprised when you visit your next-door neighbor and wonder whose shoddy shingles you are looking at, until you realize they are on your house? These are signs that your roof is in trouble and might need repairs.
Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties experienced a pretty dry “rainy” season this year. After months with almost no rain, most of us might not be thinking about roofs. However, it is better to take a look at your roof now, rather than find the rain pelting down through an upstairs bedroom ceiling when the rains do hit.
What to Look For?
Loose, missing or cracked shingles mean that moisture and debris might be seeping below the outer shingles, which can cause mold or damage beneath. If you have an attic, take a look to see if there is any sign of moisture or dry rot in the ceiling structure.
If a leak is apparent in the ceiling of your living room, you know you are in trouble, but don’t assume you know where that leak is coming from. Water travels down and then in, so the damage causing a leak may be near the peak of your roof, while the water make its way into the interior of your home at a lower point.
5 Things to Look for If You Need a New Roof
So here are some tips to help you determine if your roof needs attention:
- Debris collecting on the roof that can cause damage to the shingles or tiles below.
- Loose, curled, cracked or missing shingles or tiles weaken your roof’s outer protective layer.
- If you run a hose on your roof and water collects or pools in an indentation or sag, the water can’t run off and may leak into the material below.
- Vents or flashing that is missing, or curled away from the roof, leaving openings around the vents or chimney for moisture to seep in.
- Interior staining or damage, which can mean a leak that has gone undetected and allowed rain to enter the inside of your home.
None of the above is good news, however, a sagging roof might be the most concerning. Roofs sag from damage and in some cases from old age. Older homes might have a roof that was built with rafters, rather than trusses, making it more likely to sag over time. Keep in mind that a sagging roof can collapse, causing greater damage to your home’s interior, to say nothing of the harm it could do to occupants.
Debris on a roof will depend on your home’s proximity to trees and other foliage. Regular maintenance can help extend the life of your roof. Leaves and small tree branches, if left to sit on a roof can damage it over time. Try to keep your roof as free of debris as possible.
If the debris, or just harsh climate conditions, like lots of sun and wind, have dried and damaged your shingles, a spot check will let you know if the entire roof is affected or if a repair to a specific section of your roof will do the trick.
If you can see evidence of water damage on the interior of the house, the damage to areas you can’t see could be even worse.
Remember, roofs have durable lifespans even if they aren’t organic beings. Shingle roofs last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, depending on climate and their maintenance schedule. If your roof is looking worn out, it may just be that it has reached the end of its usefulness.
For any and all of the problems you could encounter, you may want to call in the experts to help. Our trained professionals have been walking, examining repairing and replacing roofs for many years. Contact us today, before the rains hit.
