When it comes to home improvements, there is no project more valuable than replacing your roof.
Time is of the essence when it comes to necessary roof repairs. If your roof has suffered serious—or irreparable—damage, timing is critical. Delaying a roof repair or replacement can result in serious structural damage to your home. Ensuring your roof is reliable and in good health is critical for both your home and family.
With summer coming to an end, now is the perfect time to inspect your roof’s health. Autumn is an ideal time to find a professional for any pressing repairs your roof may need so you can protect your home against the harsh winter elements.
These warning signs are strong indicators that you need a new roof:
1. Leaks
Ceiling leaks are one of the most obvious and alarming signs that you need a new roof.
Leaks occur when water enters your home’s structure through worn, broken, or missing shingles, and areas where your roof’s sealing has deteriorated over time.
There is no time to spare when a leak is discovered in your roof. Water damage accelerates decay, which may result in holes or gaps in the foundation of your roof. The greater the number—and severity—of leaks, the greater the risk. Prolonged water exposure can significantly damage your home, compromising its structural integrity.
Be proactive. Have a professional assess your roof as soon as you notice leaking from your home’s ceiling.
2. Fallen & Missing Shingles
Discovering shingles on the ground or in your gutter is a sign that your roof is nearing its lifespan and is starting to fail.
Shingles fall when frail and weathered shingles are lifted off by wind or other weather elements. What starts as a few fallen shingles will rapidly multiply without repair, eventually leaving your roof exposed and vulnerable to more severe damage such as holes and leaks.
A roof at the end of its life cycle will start to lose smaller pieces of shingle, eventually losing full sections as it continues suffering damage.
Schedule a professional roof assessment to see where you currently stand. A reliable expert will check the entire structure from the shingles to the gutters to determine what damage—if any—your roof has suffered.
3. Shingle Curling
Your roof’s shingles should lay flat.
Curling shingles are a sign of a weathered roof and an indication of deterioration. Often shingle curling indicates that your roof is prone to leaking in the near future.
Shingles can curl in two ways: cupping and clawing. Cupping occurs when the edges of shingles turn upward. Clawing is when the middle of a shingle rises while the edges remain flat, creating the appearance of a bubble forming beneath.
Homeowners often opt to replace their roof once they notice multiple shingles affected. Though patching individual shingles is an option, it won’t stave off the eventual roof replacement your home will need.
Replacing too many shingles also results in an unappealing home exterior. When multiple shingles have been replaced in smaller sections, the contrast between the new and old shingles creates an uneven, unsightly pattern. Your shingle shading should always be uniform.
The more noticeable the curling, the more quickly your roof will become hazardous to your home. If you are noticing your shingles curling or bending, it’s time for a new roof.
4. Shingle Cracks
Often the result of wind damage, temperature swings, manufacturing defects, or improper installation, cracked shingles on your roof are a sign that your roof will require replacing soon.
Cracks in roof shingles create an easy entry point for water, resulting in roof leaks and inevitable damage.
To prevent ongoing repair costs, routinely inspect your roofs shingles for irregularities and potential damage. Frequent inspections allow you to get in touch with a roofing professional before your roof and home incurs critical damage.
5. Average Lifespan
The average lifespan of a roof is determined by the materials used to construct it. High-quality shingles and high-quality craftsmanship can extend the lifespan of your roof significantly. An asphalt shingle roof’s average lifespan is 20-40 years, while wood shingles or shake roofs can last 30 years.
Unfortunately, average roof lifespans are often misleading for homeowners to rely on. Numerous factors contribute to a roof deteriorating sooner than expected, including:
- Quality of materials
- Sloppy or improper installation
- Harsh weather elements
- Inconsistent maintenance
- Attic ventilation
- Angle of your roof’s slope
As your roof nears its projected lifespan, routine inspections and maintenance are key in extending its life and guaranteeing your home won’t suffer unexpected damage.
6. Sunlight in the Attic
Daylight leaking through the roof boards of your attic is a strong indicator that it’s time to look into getting your roof repaired or replaced.
It’s crucial to check if sunlight is visible through areas of your roof where your chimney, vents, pipes, and any other equipment or hardware is located. Roof flashings, the material used to seal in joints, valleys, and seams in your roof, can wear out after just a few years of continuous exposure to sunlight.
It’s important to note: If daylight can come through your roof boards, so can water. The exposed areas of your roof boards should be repaired immediately to avoid risking water damage.
While checking your attic, keep an eye out for moisture in the insulation or signs of mold and mildew. Small leaks aren’t always easy to identify, but damage and evidence of a leak allows professionals to locate the area of the roof that needs to be addressed.
7. Moss, Mold, or Rot
Beyond tarnished aesthetics, anything growing on your roof could be a sign that you need a replacement.
Moss spreads like wildfire, holding moisture and creating damage. If your shingles are showing evidence of moss, you can be sure that the narrow spaces in between your shingles have already collected spores that will quickly spread the moss’ growth.
Once moss is present on your roof, it gradually causes water damage by soaking up and storing rainwater. When the moss releases the water, it travels through your roof’s underlayment and saturates the sheathing. Moisture damage to roof sheathing results in mold and decay.
Mold and rot are indicators that moisture damage has already occurred. The presence of mold from moisture not only results in its rapid spread throughout your home’s structure, HVAC system, and vents, but can lead to serious health issues for you and your family. Mold spores quickly reproduce, creating allergic reactions, asthmatic symptoms, and other health risks.
Avoid potential financial and medical consequences by getting your roof inspected at the first sight of moss, mold, or rot. Your wallet and bill of health will thank you later.
Trust the Experts
If your home is experiencing any of the above warning signs, your roof may be in need of repairs or a complete replacement.
Rely on the advice of a professional roofer with extensive experience. Only a trained professional can diagnose and identify any pressing roof problems and suggest quality solutions.
Gerety Building & Restoration offers a wide range of roofing services and specialties to provide your home with a trusted, long-lasting roof replacement.
Interested in learning more about our roofing services? Whether you’re planning on redoing your roof now or in the future, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
Let us know what you’re working on, and we’ll show you how we can help.
