Most of us take for granted that we will always have a solid roof over our heads. It’s an essential part of feeling secure and protected from the elements. And, unless you’ve lived through a major roofing issue, you might not realize just how devastating it can be when your roof starts to fall apart.
Staying aware of the condition of your roof is a significant activity and should not be taken lightly. If anything seems amiss, you will need to take action immediately. Which begs the question, ‘How do I know when I need a new roof?’
Here’s a list of some of the tell-tale signs that your roof is in need of repairs. If you read it carefully, you’ll be prepared to stop a roofing disaster before it ever even starts.
1) Curled Shingles
Shingles curl in two ways and both are indicators of a failed roof that may begin leaking soon:
Clawing: This is where the edges of the shingles remain flat while the middle rises upwards.
Cupping: This is when the shingle edges curls upward. This exposes the boards underneath to the elements, which means it’s only a matter of time before they start to become vulnerable and deteriorate.
2) Missing Shingles
It’s fairly common to have a few missing shingles and this shouldn’t worry you since you can easily replace them. However, when you are consistently losing shingles or you notice that you can’t get a shingle that matches your old ones, this can be a sign that you need a new roof.
At the very least, you’ll want to have a roofing expert come by and take a look – make sure nothing more substantial is wrong. They will usually do this for free and give you an estimate of what repairs would cost if they find anything wrong.
3) Cracked Shingles
Shingles crack due to damage from strong winds. It’s normal for shingles to crack and you can replace them if not too many have been damaged – especially if the cracks are concentrated at one point.
However, if you notice that the cracks are spread all over the roof, then you should start planning on how to replace the whole roof. Once damages progresses to that point, it’s been going on too long and it is very unlikely that you’ll be able to salvage the roof.
4) Light or Water Penetrating the Roof
This should be an obvious one. If you can see sunlight through any part of your ceiling except a sun roof, something is seriously wrong with your roof. If the sunlight can get through, you can imagine what else can.
Similarly, if you get water stains on your ceiling or coming down the walls, then this is a sign of an active leak. The extent of the damage will determine if you will repair or replace the roof. You can repair small leaks but larger ones are a sign or aging and structural damage and can be very hard to fix.
5) Sagging Roof
A sagging roof is a sign that you need a roof replacement immediately. This is very dangerous and you cannot wait to take action.
It may indicate a problem with the foundation support or attic decking. It is likely a structural problems so you don’t want to take chances. Any time you notice a depression in your roof, call a professional immediately.
6) Missing Granules
You don’t have to get on to the roof to know that you need a new roof. Granules on the ground or in the gutters indicate exposed shingles. Granules shield shingle fibers so, if you notice that they are missing, this means that rain might be passing on to your roof deck.
Note that granules change their color with time due to weathering. That is a sign of wear but not a dire situation.
Conclusion
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, then you should start preparing for a roof replacement or at least have a professional come take a look.
Replacing the roof is a complex process so we caution you against trying to do it yourself unless you have some kind of expert training and experience. It may seem easy but, once you get up there, you’ll quickly realize that it requires skills and experience.
It also requires extensive planning and should be done quickly. Your contractor will know how to plan for weather, materials and be better equipped to deal with any issues, should they arise. Don’t worry too much about it though. As long as you’ve hired the right roofing contractor (like Cross Country Construction in Rockford, IL), you’re going to be fine. Just don’t take too long to act!
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