When it comes to roofs, regular inspection and maintenance is often overlooked by homeowners around the world. The reality, however, is that a house roof that is damaged in any way is going to create many problems for your home.
Water damage and damage from the elements are all too common when your roof starts to show signs of decay. That being said, how can you go about identifying these signs?
Fortunately, it is not too difficult to spot issues with your roof. The biggest issue is getting yourself up there to see it for yourself. Once you’re up there, you should be able to see any problems that are happening with your roof. Here are some telltale signs to let you know if your house roof has to be replaced right away.
Water Damage and Mold in the Attic
While for most of the cases with your roof you are going to have to head up to the roof itself to see if there is a problem, you can sometimes tell right away if there is a problem with your roof by looking at the attic. If there is any water damage at all, you are going to see it on the frames within the attic, and mold might be there as well.
This is one of the worst things possible for you to find as it can be quite an expensive fix. Not only are you going to have to have your roof replaced to fix the leaking issues, but you are also going to have to pay to have the framing repaired and all the mold removed. Generally, you would like to spot an issue like this before it gets to this state, but we understand it can be difficult at times.
When looking at a roof replacement, there are a few things that you can aim to do with your new roof. This is a great time to think about installing solar panels or incorporating a green roof. Instead of selecting standard materials, why not go with something that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable? This is important in today’s day and age, as we are continuing to damage the Earth with what we are doing.
Small things like a sustainable roof do make a difference, especially if more people are doing it. You can find a roof replacement company that will replace your roof and use eco-friendly materials to do so. Not only are your main issues getting resolved, but you are also going to be doing something to help combat climate change.
The Shingles Are Darker Than Normal
If you head up to your roof and notice that the shingles are much darker than normal, it is a sign that water is starting to collect and that you aren’t too far away from serious water damage. The shingles turn darker because they have started to absorb the water that falls on the roof. When you notice this happening, you should instantly call a roofing company to take a look at everything or start planning to replace it yourself.
Your roofers or you will need to replace all of the shingles out with new ones and also check the integrity of the frame. If you caught this early, the fix should be easier. However, just like we mentioned above, the framing could have major damage that should be checked for.
The Shingles Are Not Properly Sealed
A lot of roofing issues are caused by problems in the shingles, therefore you must inspect them quite thoroughly. If there are shingles that are slightly raised or flapping around in the wind, it is a sign that they have not been properly sealed.
What can happen in these cases? You guessed it, more water damage. Luckily, sealing shingles is pretty simple and a roofing company will be glad to either help re-seal them or replace them altogether for you. It is an easy solution and if you caught it quick enough, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
Your Roof is Sagging
Finally, if your roof has started to sag and it doesn’t look right, it is a sign that everything has begun to rot away. You have to act fast in these situations, as it is a sign of trapped moisture. When a roof has rotted away, everything is going to need to be replaced. Get on the phone and make the call so you can go about fixing it as soon as possible.
These are all things that you are going to have to take a look at to see if your house roof needs replacement. You don’t have to check on your roof often, but once or twice a year will help give you an indicator of what its health is. Knowing and recognizing these signs can help get your roof the care it needs before things are too late.
Feature image: Shawnn Tan; Image 1: Juliano Costa
