The roof is the most important part of your house. However, most homeowners don’t know when it’s time to replace or repair their roof. You don’t have to wait until the time your roof starts to leak, and you have to deal with wet surfaces for you to start paying attention to your roof. Regular roof inspection will help identify warning signs that the roof requires urgent repair or replacement. Here are some of the warning signs that your roof needs servicing.
Your Roof Is More than 20 Years
If your roof is more than 20 years old, then it’s time to start thinking about for a replacement. Although a properly maintained asphalt shingle roof can last for up to 30 years, time will eventually bring it down. As the weather damage accumulates, the frequency of repairs increases making it uneconomical. At this point, replacing your roof becomes the most viable solution that is cost-effective in the long run.
A Sagging Roof
A sagging roof is an indicator of potential problems. This is the case when it comes to the valleys and dips on the roof where snow and rainwater usually collect which can lead to severe roof damage. Typically, a sagging roof is an early sign of severe and structural damage. The damage could be in the decking within the attic or even in support of your house foundation. Make sure that you correct these problems before they become severe and start spreading to other sections of the roof. Call in professional roof experts as soon as possible.
Curling Shingles
Shingles usually curl in two different ways; clawing which involves the edges staying flat while the middle part of the roof starts to come and cupping which happens when the shingle edges turn upward. Both types of curling are signs of weathering and indicate potential leaks if you don’t repair the affected areas soon. Depending on the extent of the curling, you may be having between one and five years before you replace your roof.
Daylight Penetrates Through the Attic
You don’t need an expert to tell you that this is a bad sign. If light can get in so can rain, snow, and cold air. Be sure to check for both light and water stains and if you discover any, plan for repair as soon as possible. Although some small leaks can easily be patched, it may not be economical to patch larger ones, and you may need to replace your roof.
Granule loss
The small granules that you see on your roof play a critical role in weatherproofing. They usually protect your roof from the dangerous ultraviolet sun rays and also improve your roof’s water-shedding capabilities. Presence of black spots on your roof indicates loss of granules which means it’s time to replace it.
