Your roof plays an integral role in preserving your home’s structural integrity. Over time, it may begin to show signs of wear and tear. Some of this is normal and may require replacing a cracked shingle or two. But other problems require immediate repair or replacement.
How do you know if your roof needs replacement or repair? How do the elements, over time, affect your property? Know these signs of roof damage ? and when to call a professional for help.
Algae and Mold Growth
Several times a year, it’s a good idea to do a roof inspection, no ladder required. Simply take a pair of binoculars and assess the situation with a keen eye. If you live in a humid or hot climate, look for signs of algae damage or mold growth. White, scaly, or filmy patches may be indicative of a problem. Algae growth may not affect the overall life of the shingle, especially if they’ve been treated with an anti-algae coating, but it may be indicative of a problem with the roof underneath. If you’re unsure, call Mr. Roof for a free estimate.
Buckling, Curling, or Missing Shingles
Wind, rain, and exposure to the elements can damage your shingles. After a bout of severe weather, assess your roof for signs of damage. You need to replace missing shingles promptly to avoid wood rot and long term damage to the integrity of your home. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it becomes. While replacing a few shingles may cost only a few dollars, replacing rotting wood could run you into the thousands. Do yourself a favor and replace these as soon as possible.
Similarly, buckling or curling shingles could signal significant issues with your roof. Buckling shingles may indicate that the felt was installed improperly or that there’s been movement in the deck underneath. Water absorption usually causes curling shingles, which are often a sign that water is getting into the wood underneath. Address these issues soon to prevent the rotting and/or molding of the wooden deck underneath.
Signs of Water Damage
Your roof may be leaking if you notice signs of water damage on the ceiling or other structures throughout your home. Water damage usually appears on the ceiling as brown spots or rust-colored rings. You may also notice these spots around the chimney and vents. In some instances, these leaks travel and may appear far away from the actual source.
Water spots may also appear on your exterior walls, and this may indicate a problem with your flashing. Replacing flashing requires the help of an expert, so reach out to a roofing professional.
Granulation in Your Gutters
The next time you do a gutter clean out (it’s a good idea to do one this time of year) look at the debris that accumulates. If your gutters are full of granules, or you notice granulation coming out of your downspouts, this is a sign your shingles are coming to the end of their lifespan. On average, a roof lasts around 15 to 20 years, so if you can’t remember the last time your shingles were replaced, it might be time. Losing a few granules here and there is not a big deal, but consistently seeing granulation, especially after rainfall, is a warning sign.
Granulation in shingles is designed to protect against UV radiation, so once these disappear, shingles often become brittle and break. Upon inspection, you may even find your shingles have bald spots, exposing the decking underneath. This makes your roof vulnerable to water damage and mold, so call Mr. Roof as soon as possible for a free estimate of a roof replacement.
Roof Rot
One of the most obvious signs of water damage is the presence of roof rot. This happens when moisture gets into the mat under the shingles and begins to destroy the shingles themselves. This is most common in shingles made from organic materials, such as wooden shakes, but they can strike other synthetic materials as well. If you have a metal roof, this won’t be an issue, as metal roofs are impervious to rot. Spotting roof rot is fairly easy, even if you don’t know much about home improvement. This is what makes your periodic binocular checks so important.
When to Call a Professional
In general, we don’t recommend much DIY roofing repair, for a couple of reasons: First, you’re less likely to have the necessary safety equipment that professionals do. Second, doing the job incorrectly may end up costing you more in the long run. If your roof needs replacement or repair, it’s best to work with a professional.
Mr. Roof is dedicated to making roof replacement easy. First, we offer to give you a free estimate, so you will know exactly what you need done, if you need anything done, and how much it will cost you. All of our products are factory direct and our installers are factory trained so you can feel confident that the work is done right the first time. If you aren’t convinced yet, we also offer a lifetime warranty, so you really don’t have to worry about a thing. Make like easier on yourself by calling Mr. Roof for all your roofing needs.
